unclenedsfishfactory.com

I have a dwarf gourami that started developing an obvious bump on his side about a week ago. I have been watching him closely for signs of worms or fungus or other infection but haven't seen any. 2 smaller lumps appeared a day or so after the first one and they have stayed about the same size since. Perhaps they have grown slightly but certainly not much since I first noticed them. Today I was examining him and saw that the original large bump is now a completely open wound! I don't know if he rubbed it off on the rocks or if another fish bit him or worse, if it was a parasite that has left the host! In the wound there is still no sign of parasite or fungus and all other fish seem fine. The 2 smaller lumps are still closed. I also noticed that the gourmai seems to have a fat lip on one side. Any ideas what this might be? Is it a fish cancer? Should the fish be euthanized? I tried unsuccessfully to get him out of the tank (heavily planted). If his condition is threatening the other fish I will do whatever necessary to get him out.

I suspect the fish should be removed and euthanized.

I'll bet it's a male dwarf gourami.
Unfortunately, these fish are over bred, and probably over medicated, in asian fish farms.

We often see problems with the quality of male dwarf gouramis.

I do suspect cancer...which can come from over doses of artificial hormones.