My Betta Is Injured. Raised Scales, Large Hole In Side Of Body

I'm not sure what is going on but it seems to only get worse, I currently have him in a 1 gallon tank so that he is easier to treat, he was in a 10 gallon tank with no other fish to fight with so I know that's no the problem, I noticed this yesterday before going to bed and I'm not sure what it is or what to do.






For some back story I got this betta (Sketch) as a gift and have had him for at least 4 months and he was doing fine from what I know the person that gave him to me got him at a Walmart store and thought that I would like him because he looked like he was a sketch of a fish with every scale and his fins outlined in black, and them knowing I like to draw..
Please if anyone knows anything that can help, Please let me know. I have a thought of what it might be but I want an unbiased opinion form people with more experience.

This is what the other side of sketch looks like.

 

Sorry to hear about your fish

Looks like it could be dropsy. He seems 'pineconey' if that makes sense. Do his eyes seem swollen to you.

I've successfully treated dropsy but it is hard to do. QT tank, regular water changes, heat brought up to 80f, Epsom salt and kanaplex.

Hope this helps

 

from what I can tell his eyes seem normal, but the inflammation seems to be fast Spreading and the damage on his side seems to be expanding quickly as well.

ok so its been a few hours but its not any better the sore is a quarter of the size of a dime much bigger then it was a few hours ago.
I have gotten some emails saying that there is nothing I can do for it except having him euthanized. Is it really that bad where he won't get better? :'( I know he hasn't gotten into a fight because he's the only one in the tank, I haven't gotten anything else to have in the tank but him yet. I was supost to get shrimp and a pleco, and a snail or two.

 

My phone is not showing your pics too well so I can't tell for sure but are his scales slightly raised? Like a pine cone?

If it is dropsy, then it is pretty bad. It is very hard to treat and even harder to cure. But its not impossible. One of my goldies had it.. Bottom sitting, bloated like pine cone etc. Treated him and he lived another 7months.

Euthanizing is up to you. You can try treating him but be prepared that might not pull through.

Do you have some antibiotic med? Could help in treating that red wound he has.

I really hope sketch pulls through!

 

Hello! And welcome to Fishlore! Your betta appears to have dropsy you can treat it with Kanaplex. I don't really know what the wound is about but I can call Gypsy13 Goldiemom Repolie Fanatic CanadianFishFan gypsy the wound started out small and half the size of his fin and is now spread so it is about the size of his head it looks red and like a scale fell off but is more inflamed and red..... Wait! Could the pinconing be SO severe that some of his scales are falling off!

 

This fish looks familiar. Do you have another post started? He does have dropsy which I agree is hard to treat. Dropsy is a result of something else going on in his body. I’m afraid the prognosis is slI'm but the information you have been given is good. Kanaplex and Furan-2 together if you want to try along with Epsom salt baths 3 times/day. Good luck.

 

It does looks like he has dropsy. You should start treating with Kanaplex. Kanaplex should get any bacterial infections that may have made it's way inside through the hole. Don't know what caused his hole. But my theory is, that he got so big that his skin ruptured. Never heard of that happening before, but it's a theory. I wouldn't do the Epsom salt bath because epsom the could irritate it more instead. Keep his water super clean during treatment.

 

This fish looks familiar. Do you have another post started? He does have dropsy which I agree is hard to treat. Dropsy is a result of something else going on in his body. I’m afraid the prognosis is slI'm but the information you have been given is good. Kanaplex and Furan-2 together if you want to try along with Epsom salt baths 3 times/day. Good luck.

This is actually the first time I have ever been on this site, hopping to get information to help my fish get better. its really the first time I have ever had to deal with a problem like this.

 

This is actually the first time I have ever been on this site, hopping to get information to help my fish get better. its really the first time I have ever had to deal with a problem like this.

Sorry, the fish just looks like another one. I hope all works out for you and your betta. 1 tablespoon Epsom salt baths in a gallon of dechlorinate water 4 times a day for 20 minutes. Epsom salt will be fine. It’s not like aquarium salt. It’s very gentle. Then treat in tank with Kanaplex and Furan-2 according to directions. Hope all works out.

 

I'm going to take a guess on the hole. Maybe its a parasite eating at it or maybe it got torn on something makeing it worse?
Only way I could think you can treat it is daily water changes to keep it clean and Indian Almond Leafs to stop any infections and gross bacteria.

 

Hey. Agree on treating dropsy. Epsom salt baths. 1 tablespoon/gallon of water. After dissolved, pour some into small container, have temp as close to tank temp as possible. 10 minutes 3-4 times/day.
Kanaplex/furan2 dosing schedule for best results:



You can also treat the wound with a cotton swab soaked in 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Maracyn2 can also be used if you can’t find kanaplex/furan2.
I’m assuming the “hole” started out as a tiny raised area that quickly developed into a large cyst. Now it’s burst?
Do the epsom salt baths and watch for more cysts. Treat with hp swabs as soon as you see them. Don’t get the peroxide into his eyes or gills. Update often please?

 

alright so as an update, because I don't live near any type of pet stores except, Tractor supply and Wal-mart being the closest things so it, and mine doesn't carry anything for fish save for food, decor, tanks, and water conditioners, I had to order it online so I am still waiting on the Kanaplex , and furan2 to arrive. Someone had told me to make sure I keep sketch as calm as I can while we wait for the treatment to arrive by blocking out the tank from anything that might that might stress him because its too close or too much movement. they also told me to use a red light if I needed to see in the tank so that it would not bother the fish as much?? not sure about this information, I did put a card blocking the tank where people walk around all the time so that he is not being unnecessarily stressed out. it looks to have slowed down but he is spending more time at the top of the tank unless someone bothers him. I will try to get some better pictures if he lets me because it like he doesn't want me taking photos of him now, he use to love them and would show off even....

 

alright so as an update, because I don't live near any type of pet stores except, Tractor supply and Wal-mart being the closest things so it, and mine doesn't carry anything for fish save for food, decor, tanks, and water conditioners, I had to order it online so I am still waiting on the Kanaplex , and furan2 to arrive. Someone had told me to make sure I keep sketch as calm as I can while we wait for the treatment to arrive by blocking out the tank from anything that might that might stress him because its too close or too much movement. they also told me to use a red light if I needed to see in the tank so that it would not bother the fish as much?? not sure about this information, I did put a card blocking the tank where people walk around all the time so that he is not being unnecessarily stressed out. it looks to have slowed down but he is spending more time at the top of the tank unless someone bothers him. I will try to get some better pictures if he lets me because it like he doesn't want me taking photos of him now, he use to love them and would show off even....

Most stores around you will have epsom salt. Please start the baths ASAP. Plain epsom salt. Not scented in any way. Please hurry.

 

Hey. Agree on treating dropsy. Epsom salt baths. 1 tablespoon/gallon of water. After dissolved, pour some into small container, have temp as close to tank temp as possible. 10 minutes 3-4 times/day.
Kanaplex/furan2 dosing schedule for best results:
View attachment 469874

You can also treat the wound with a cotton swab soaked in 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Maracyn2 can also be used if you can’t find kanaplex/furan2.
I’m assuming the “hole” started out as a tiny raised area that quickly developed into a large cyst. Now it’s burst?
Do the epsom salt baths and watch for more cysts. Treat with hp swabs as soon as you see them. Don’t get the peroxide into his eyes or gills. Update often please?

Thanks, Gyps! I always forget the hydrogen peroxide.

 

Did the 10 gallon tank have decor with rough edges? He could have scraped his side on it cutting him and causing his sore.

 

Is Aquarium salt the same?

Princethepurplebetta
Also No everything in there is smooth to the touch and the newer decor was not in there until after I removed him from the 10 gal tank to put him in the 1 gal tank to be treated.

This is what the 10gal tank looks like right now.



this is what it looked like before I took him out

 

Update: He's not looking good at all. he was on his side a moment ago but he keeps righting himself when something spooks him, like if I put my hand by the tank, and he has been spending more time at the top of the tank while before he was spending more time at the bottom.

 

The way his scales look it seems he does have dropsy

 

Are you doing the epsom salt baths? Have you tested the water since the move and again today?

 

So sorry to hear about Sketch

Sounds like you've gotten great advice on epsom salt baths, medicating, and clean water.

I can't add much in terms of treatment, but making it easy for him to get oxygen might help him be more comfortable. You could try lowering the water level, or sticking a betta leaf hammock close to the surface if you have one handy. I've also seen people use a breeder box or diy a little sling out of netting.

Wishing you the best of luck and a speedy recovery for your little guy!

 

Gypsy13 Yes and I bought a new testing kit to test the water and its coming back at Nitrate 0 Nitrite 0 Hardness 75 (soft) Alkalinity 120 ph 7.8 and ammonia 0

When I got back home I saw him on his side again floating at the top. still waiting on the and -2 I went a few towns over and they don't carry it, but they told me I should use Microbe-Lift Artemiss.

 

I have zero experience with Artemis. I use what works. Are you doing the epsom salt baths?

 

Yes I am giving him epsom salt baths though he doesn't seem to like it. he freaks out when put in it

 

Yes I am giving him epsom salt baths though he doesn't seem to like it. he freaks out when put in it

Is the temp the same?

 

it has been staying between 78F and 80F

Gypsy13 Goldiemom Repolie Iverg1 CanadianFishFan
Update: so sketch was at the top of the tank and swam around a little and then bolted from the top of the tank to the bottom smacking it before swimming back to the top, then swam around a little more before just going back to the normal floating at the top of the tank.
Is this normal?

 

it has been staying between 78F and 80F

I mean temp same between tank and epsom salt bath?

Gypsy13 Goldiemom Repolie Iverg1 CanadianFishFan
Update: so sketch was at the top of the tank and swam around a little and then bolted from the top of the tank to the bottom smacking it before swimming back to the top, then swam around a little more before just going back to the normal floating at the top of the tank.
Is this normal?

Post new pics? Please?

 

Yes all tanks including the bowl that I change every time he goes in it stay in the 78F to 80F range.

after putting the his meds in the tank with him he swims around for a while. Still can't get him to eat anything though, but the plus atm is he is moving around more.
hI'm moving around caused the photo to go out of focus and don't worry about the cloudiness that's because I just gave him his medication it will clear up in about an hour.

 

HI'm moving around more is a good sign.

Have you tried seachem garlic guard? It's an appetite stimulant. You could try soaking the food in that. May entice sketch to eat.

 

Try again when you can? Glad he’s moving around!

 

ok so I am still trying to get him to eat but he doesn't seem interested in any of the foods I give him, I have flakes, pellets, live, frozen...
On a good note he is swimming around a lot now. seems to watch his reflection too a lot, and every morning after waking I give him his meds so it is day 4 of a 10 day treatment per bottles instructions. his scales are even lowering and starting to be flush on his body again. so it seems to be working.

I will try to get some more pictures of him when I can get him to stop making them all blurry =/

 

ok so I am still trying to get him to eat but he doesn't seem interested in any of the foods I give him, I have flakes, pellets, live, frozen...
On a good note he is swimming around a lot now. seems to watch his reflection too a lot, and every morning after waking I give him his meds so it is day 4 of a 10 day treatment per bottles instructions. his scales are even lowering and starting to be flush on his body again. so it seems to be working.

I will try to get some more pictures of him when I can get him to stop making them all blurry =/

Don’t worry so much about not eating. His body still has lots of pressure from the fluid. He’ll eat when he can. Think positive! And please do post new pics!

 

Alright so here is the news everyone is waiting for, hes a little skinny but I seen him eat at least 2 bits of food, and the hole is almost gone, its now a small white spot on his side where it had started from what I can see but he still spends a lot of time in the bottom corner of the tank.

this is the stuff I have been using because it is what they had at our closest store,
also a quick note he has been waiting until his food swells and sinks to the bottom of the tank before eating it but I am guessing to make sure it is soft enough?

on another note I just had the 10gals tank water checked and it all came back fine if not prefect. However, the pleco that was in it has died but the shrimp and the neon tetras are healthy( the tetras seeming to always be hungry.....) the pleco was in the 10 Gal tank for 3 weeks and then I found it dead this morning, I will also include a picture of my tank. I have a sun and moon timer on it so the light in the tank is off right now.
also the water after the first week of the fish being in the tank has gone back to being clear again.

 

I’m so sorry about the pleco.

The betta sounds better. Thank you for updating.
Maybe with a little more time you’ll be seeing better eating habits. But soaked pellets are better than dry anyway. Yumm.

 

so I tested the tank today after a water change and this is what I am coming up with.
Ph: 7.6 Ammonia: 0 - .25 No2: .25 - .50 No3: 5 - 10





Any ideas to fix this?

 

Looks like it's cycling do a water change I think

 

Only thing off is your nitrites. Do a small water change and add some Seachem Prime. They should go up a little and then drop.

 

Ok so the Sketch (the betta) is looking good and spunky, swims around the tank like he owns the place.... however we lost 5 of the 6 shrimp in the tank and 1 of the 5 neon tetras..... I found out that he is not actally bulling them. but when he feels I didn't feed him enough he ate them... completely. otherwise he leaves them alone and they leave him alone. I am trying to find a live food that I can cultivate in home that he can eat so he will stop eating everything else. I herd some people say fariy shrimp some brine shrimp, Earthworms, or superworms. Any ideas?

 

I use to raise brine shrimp. Very easy but you want to do it in a basement or somewhere. The water would get smelly. There’s a good YouTube video on raising them.

 

Congratulations! Hope he continues to improve