Percula Clown disease

[kevchev515]

Hello, I purchased a percula clownfish about 4 weeks ago and within 1 day of placing him in the tank it formed 1 white outgrowth behind its right gill (opposite side of its head). This outgrowth grew and grew until it got to be the size of the end of a ball point pen. It is also circular in shape. I called an area pet store and he said to take the fish out of the tank and pull the outgrowth off then pour stress coat over it. The growth did come off but we didn't get all of it. The other inhabitants of the tank which include a coral beauty, 2 tangs, a cleaner shrimp, yellow tailed damsel and a leather coral, they don't have any signs of contracting this disease and are perfectly healthy. What is this outgrowth, its treatment and is it harmful to my other fish and inverts in the tank? Thanks

 

[Dragonlady]

It might be Lymphocystis, which is a virus that causes warty lumps on a fish. Lymphocystis is rarely fatal, but it can be spread to other fish.
The fish's immune system should be able to rid itself of the virus in a quarantine tank within a few months.