Weird lump on neon tetra's side?
 

Hi everyone,

I have a 55 gallon tank that has been set up for about 4.5 months with 2 gold dust mollies, 3 platies, 3 dalmatian mollies, and 4 neon tetras. One of the tetras has had this weird lump on its stomach for a while that actually changes shape. If you watch it, it will split from one lump into 2 and back into one again. Today there was this pink ball on its side and I realized it was coming out of the fish. Now, it seems to have gone back into its body, but the tip is still showing. Any ideas? I tried to get a pic but it just moves too fast. Sorry for the long post.

A picture really would be helpful. Can you net the fish and get the picture?

I tried, but it just seemed to be stressing the fish out like crazy and I couldn't get one. It seriously is just a little pinkish orange ball sticking out of the fish's side. :/ It's acting totally normal though...

Tetra are impossible to catch or get pictures of. . . have you done an image search on Google to find something that looks similar? That might give a bit more to go on. . . I hope he's okay :/

Hey, I also have a neon tetra with the strange moving lump/swollen stomach thing going on. I'm curious what the status is on your fish, if you attempted treating it, found out what was wrong, etc. I have pics of mine in a post i just made yesterday http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/t...moving-113951/

is it similar? i haven't seen a 'pink ball' on it's side as you describe, just the moving stomach...

Maybe some kind of worm? I cant remember the name, but the kind that lives in the stomach and make them emaciated and skinny?? Humans can get it too, not trying to freak you out, just saying so other people might reconize it.

yea i thought about some kind of worm too. if no one has a better idea i'll probably try to treat with some internal parasite medication.

The tetra that I originally had this problem with has died, but now another one has it. I honestly have no idea what it is! Eat6298, mine look just like the pics you have up. :/ I can't find any pictures online and no one seems to know what it is. If you find anything out about it, please let me know! Good luck!!