luna

Well, the growth on Kappa's chin is still huge and disturbing, but now she's selectively not using her left flipper.

For about as long as she's had the growth on her chin, she's had a small pale bump right at the base of her left flipper (think Popeye and his funny-looking bulgy muscles), but definitely not muscle or anything, but she's never shown any problems until today. I did see her use it, so I know she still can...but a fish wouldn't stop using a flipper without a good reason, like I wouldn't just stop using an arm unless there was something wrong with it.

She also seems to be breathing more heavily...but she's still interested in food and not using the flipper isn't visibly detrimental to her swimming (she's still active), but it's getting harder and harder for me to even look at her, because I know there's something increasingly wrong with her, whether or not she's "acting" sick.

Any ideas on what it could be, or what I could try to do for her? I've tried the meds I have - Maracyn Plus - twice previously with no effect. For all I know, she's like me and has cancer or something.

sirdarksol

I'm sorry she's doing poorly. I'm really not sure what's going on, but cancer (or similar growth, like the virus that causes warts on humans) seems to be a possibility, since it seems to be affecting more than just her lip.

KonaBoy

I don't know how to help, but I'm sorry to hear this, and hopefully someone will know what to do.

Fishies-for-me

If it is a tumour there really isn't much you can do for her except love her and make sure she is comfortable...as long as she is eating and looking like she isn't miserable I guess that is the main thing. Pamper her for nowand cherish the time you have with her....sorry to hear of your med condition...God bless and Good Luck!

Lucy

I'm so sorry Kappa is worrying you so. I'm glad she's acting and eating normal.
Sending good betta vibes your way.

Martinismommy

Poor little thing.....I hope she starts showing some improvement soon...It's good news that she is still eating....

chickadee

Luna will she hold still enough for a picture? I know that this is a painful thing for you but I have a fish right now with a growth that I believe to be lymphocystitis and I am wondering if this may be what she has too. Bettas seem to be prone to it and it does grow and become more enlarged with time. There is sadly not a cure for it but it doesn't seem to hurt them. The important thing is not to put other fish that are prone to it in with them or in the same tank until the tank is completely sanitized.

I am so sorry your little girl is having this but I do not think she is suffering. If you notice that she is having problems with movement later then perhaps she will need you to think differently but now, like Ariel, if there is not a noticeable problem with her behavior, my advice would be to let her enjoy her life as much as she can and love her and care for her.

We are here for you and will continue to be. I truly wish there was more that we could do at the present time to help.

Rose

Chief_waterchanger

While there is not a cure for it there is a treatment that seems to put it in remission, of sorts. Garlic and/or garlic juice worked well for us when we bought a previously infected fish from a poor excuse of an importer. You can medicate at a rate of 1 teaspoon upto 1 tablespoon per 10 gallons, but also soaking the normal food you feed the fish in garlic juice works just as well as putting the garlic juice directly in the tank. I would do this once a week and preferably on the day before waterchanges.

luna

Kappa hates garlic, won't touch the stuff. Feisty red-finned fishie!

Rose, I can't get good pics of her problem areas, partially since she won't hold still, and partially because of the glare I get from the tank/light/flash...and the pics aren't clear enough without the light.

LilMollieBreeder

I hope she gets better!

Chief_waterchanger

The garlic juice going into the tank water directly will medicate the fish and often puts lymphosystis into remission, even if the fish doesn't consume solid garlic matter.

luna

Of course, now she's flapping her little fins like wings...it's feeding time. Leave it to a piggie-fish to perk up at dinnertime. I'm still bothered that she wasn't using it, though...but perking up at daphnia is a good thing.

I've added garlic juice to the tank water before, but it was a one-time thing since she didn't like the garlic and wouldn't eat any food soaked in the juice. I suppose I could try to add a few drops and see how it goes.

shellbell4ever

Oh Luna, I am so sorry to hear about your poor girl Kappa
I too would recommend adding garlic juice to her water as it could be beneficial to her natural immunity system,I hope she gets to feeling better real soon
Have you tried turning off your flash,and taking a picture facing down...I think that sometimes helps with glare.

Allie

Betta babies do worry us don't they?

luna

There's no angle from above, and the movement from the filter would probably mess up the picture if there were...I'd have to take the whole top off of the tank, turn off the filter, and hope she stayed still, nevermind that you can't see the stuff that worries me properly from the top, I'd need a side view. I've tried to get pics, there's just no good way to get them. I had to put her tank somewhere where the cats couldn't get on top of it or knock it over, which is nice and safe but not great for photo opportunities.

Anyways, the infuriating piggie-fish is using her flipper normally today. *groan* I swear, I think she does this on purpose.

Chief_waterchanger

If your camera has a large M icon or a manual setting try using that and getting 5-10 feet away and zooming in. It takes a steady hand to get the shot, but that is what I use to get some of the shots of the skittish or uncooperating fish.

My camera's manual setting lets less light in which cuts down on glare. To make up for less light I tend to have a light placed directly over tank or beside it aiming down into the tank.

luna

That's the problem, I can't get light anywhere that doesn't shine directly on the tank and CREATE big glare spots. I've tried zooming, I've tried my TRIPOD, and I just cannot get a good shot. Period. I've tried everything. I know you're all trying to help, but I've tried everything I can possibly do without tearing down her tank and moving it - she's in a dark and very boxed-in corner that has no good access points, and the stuff that protects her tank from kitties also blocks all camera-friendly lighting angles.

I have to wait until I pack her up and move her when I go to school, and put her in an open, well-lit spot (since there won't be cats to worry about).

*sigh* So long as she stays active and piggy, I'll just keep hoping it means she's not suffering.