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Pumpkin, our female platy, has some sort of blister-like growth near her anus, behind her fins. My husband thought she was carrying eggs, but I told him she's a livebearer. We're not sure what it is. All the other fish seem fine and we just noticed the growth this evening. She's been acting normal.

This is the best pic I could get... any ideas?

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k16/PanClan06/pumpkin.jpg

Our tank: 45 gallons
7x Cardinal Tetras 7x Black Neon Tetras
7x Glowlight Tetras 2x Ottos 2x Ghost Shrimp 3x Spotted Corys 3x Panda Corys

Some sort of cellular hypertrophy, either lymphocystis, a cancer or a bacterial plaque cluster. Very hard to tell without seeing a focused detail shot of the lump surface. Probably worht getting a vet to take a look if you have the cash, but many platys, mollies, swordtails and hybrids thereof are very susceptible to cancer, so if basic antibiotics or furan treatments dont have an effect, the prognosis probably isnt too good.

Vet bills for a platy costing less than £1 seems very excessive to say the least. Looks like a growth that will prove fatal in the end but shouldnt notice too much discomfort. Humane euthanasia is the way unfortunately

Actually I know many people who will pay a vet bill for a fish because it is loved, and may indeed be curable. But I suppose it always has to be up to the individual to a degree. Personally I dont like encouraging throw away culture when it comes to fish, I think its something that takes a little too easily and can lead to a lot of people never considering treatment and consequently killing a hell of a lot of fish. Besides if it turned out to be a mycobacterial or column bacteria growth youll wish youd got an antibiotic and used it, because if it turned out to be uinfectious you could lose a tankful off fish, not necessarily something that euthanising that particular fish will solve.

To me a life is a life, and not regarding it as such and merely as an expendable commodity can have its own punishments. Some diseases will make you pay for a mistake in spades. If your broke then do what you have to, but if you have cash and money isnt a problem it really does pay to get things assessed, not only morally, but because it can make the difference between a lone sick fish and a complete wipeout.

If it turned out to be mycobacterium for example, you could find yourself killing a lot of fish over the coming months. Never say never to veterinary treatment, unless of course, your flat broke, but I think the good fishkeeper should keep something financially in reserve for illnesses.

I take your point but I'm sorry, in my opinion, a platy being worthy of such vet bills is just not viable. We all take risks with things..... treatment meds would be my choice.