This is Miso. I’ve had him since late March/early April. He was always super energetic, swimming up to you as you approached his tank, swimming leisurely around his tank during the day and resting at night (photos 1/2). About two months into having him he began to develop diamond eye. No big deal I’ll work on target training him for feeding. However sadly since mid-September he developed what I think is a tumour (as seen in the photos3/4/5). I added some aquarium salt to his tank, and boosted the temp to 82, but have done some reading and seems there is not any meds for this. He slowed down a little in energy, but was still very much himself. Now over the last 3 weeks or so he seems to be quite lethargic, he’s a little bloated, he’s resting in and on things much more and almost seems as though he’s gasping. I’m curious as to what you all think? Am I just causing him pain and suffering keeping him alive? Is there anything more I can do for him? (Photo 6/7 are from tonight)
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1p2t5fg
Posted by Pixel_Kittyyy
2 Comments
• Tank size: 5G
• Heater and filter? (yes/no): yes and yes
• Tank temperature: 82
• Parameters in numbers and how you got them. Key water parameters include the amount of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and pH.: 0, 0, 15ppm, 7.8ph (API freshwater kit)
• How long have you had the tank? How long have you had your fish?: Since Feb 2025, fish since late March 2025
• How often are water changes? How much do you take out per change? What is your process?: syphon, I take out about 20% every 2-3 weeks or so. Refill with dechlorinated drinking water.
• Any tankmates? If so, please list with how many of each: One Mystery Snail
• What do you feed and how much: he gets a variety of foods, global bug bites as the main staple every other day. Frozen blood works once a month. Live Daphnia once a week.
• Decorations and plants in the tank: heavily planted with water lettuce, some small crypts, a Java fern, a couple small swords (I don’t remember the exact name), and a moss covered driftwood
Poor bud. It looks like he’s starting to pinecone, indicating that he’s experiencing organ failure. Normally I would suggest trying to treat dropsy–what is there to lose?–but in his case it’s likely that it’s from the tumor and there’s nothing to be done about that. I think it’s his time. It seems like he’s not having a good time anymore and that’s usually the sign to do the final kind act.