Sick Betta has growth on body

[RobynI]

Hello, I am hoping someone can help with this - my Betta Scorpio has a large white growth on the underside of his body between his gills. He hasn’t eaten in ages (2 weeks) that I’ve seen and he is v lethargic and spends most of his time hiding. I have a reasonably large tank for him, that I clean regularly - most recently after he first developed these symptoms. He shares the tank with two apple snails. Is there any hope for him? It almost seems cruel to keep him going.

 

[ChikoritaTheAxolotl]

How big is his aquarium? What are the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate levels? Tankmates? Filter? How long have you had him? I might be wrong but it sounds like Ich or maybe a fungal infection? Most likely a fungal infection though.

 

[RobynI]

Thanks for replying. I don’t know about ammonia/nitrate levels. I’ve never tested - just followed instructions from aquarium. His tank is about 25 litres, it’s a carbon filter and is heated to 27 degrees Celsius. I’ve had him since March so about nine months. He’s normally v active and v responsive and hungry! The change in recent weeks has been quite devastating. I had read they can get abscesses. But this seems to have affected his health and wellbeing.

 

[ChikoritaTheAxolotl]

Common mistake following the instructions from the aquarium. Not saying you’d houldnt but some I’ve seen recommend against cycling “that it is not needed”. You should definitely test the levels that very important when it comes to sick fish. If you can you could probably get them tested for free at your LFS. I do know for a fact that Petsmart tests water for free. Not sure about Petco though. My LFS also tests for free. If they don't then try asking nicely and explain the situation. I doubt it’s an abscess but I’m not that knowledgeable about abscesses. It does really look like fungus though.

 

[RobynI]

Yes today it looks v fungus/y..previously is looked more like a bulb but it’s appearance is a bit feathery. I will take some water to aquarium to get it checked out. Thanks v much.

 

[ChikoritaTheAxolotl]

Your very welcome. Best of luck with you and your betta!

 

[RobynI]

Water was a bit low in ph so have adjusted that and distributed a dose of antI fungal medication. So hope it does the trick and he’s not too far gone.

 

[ChikoritaTheAxolotl]

Any improvements yet? And I forgot to ask are you using a hospital tank? If there are no tank mates then you don’t really have to.

 

[RobynI]

Not really. He’s still hiding most of the time and not showing interest in food. Will use more of fungal medication in tank tomorrow.

 

[ChikoritaTheAxolotl]

So I’ve been looking at picture of tumors and abscesses on betta fish. So far I only found one that looks similar to the photo you posted. But I can’t see much in the photo you sent so you will have to determine whether it looks like this picture of betta fish with a white tumor. Then again I’m not at all betta fish expert so you will have to do some more research of similar diseases. And keep me updated too good luck!

Sorry the was removed because of copyright issue I forgot to put the link.

 

[RobynI]

So I’ve been looking at picture of tumors and abscesses on betta fish. So far I only found one that looks similar to the photo you posted. But I can’t see much in the photo you sent so you will have to determine whether it looks like this picture of betta fish with a white tumor. Then again I’m not at all betta fish expert so you will have to do some more research of similar diseases. And keep me updated too good luck!

Got a better pic - at least he’s not hiding this morning

 

[RobynI]

Ac

Got a better pic - at least he’s not hiding this morning

tually this may be clearer. Am not using a hospital tank. I have two snails in the tank too - they seem fine even after fungal medication. Should I isolate Scorpio?

 

[rhyan]

I haven't encountered anything like that but it might be some fungal infection, you could quarantine him in a smaller tank for you to monitor and change water easily than doing it in your main tank. As for any medications maybe some of the people here might have the greater knowledge with regards to them. Hope he recovers soon since he looks so awfully not so well.

 

[RobynI]

I haven't encountered anything like that but it might be some fungal infection, you could quarantine him in a smaller tank for you to monitor and change water easily than doing it in your main tank. As for any medications maybe some of the people here might have the greater knowledge with regards to them. Hope he recovers soon since he looks so awfully not so well.

Thanks and yes, he is certainly not well. I have transferred him to a separate tank although the snails were his only companions in main tank and didn’t seem bothered by fungal medication. I think that the filter on that tank was removing the medication too quickly for it to have any real effect. So am hoping “hospital tank” with medication and daily water changes will help. Also got some Atison’s betta spa that is supposed to help create ideal water conditions. But I do wonder if all the water changes I’ve been doing are just adding to his stress and poor health. Poor little fellow.

 

[rhyan]

Thanks and yes, he is certainly not well. I have transferred him to a separate tank although the snails were his only companions in main tank and didn’t seem bothered by fungal medication. I think that the filter on that tank was removing the medication too quickly for it to have any real effect. So am hoping “hospital tank” with medication and daily water changes will help. Also got some Atison’s betta spa that is supposed to help create ideal water conditions. But I do wonder if all the water changes I’ve been doing are just adding to his stress and poor health. Poor little fellow.

As per everyone's advice here, 25 to 30% water change daily will help it from healing since clean water supplies every minerals that depletes in the water also it will help decrease any harmful things that might worsen your bettas condition. In regards to the medication as far as I know the only thing in a filter that can affect any medicines are activated carbons so if your filter have those just take them out. Also in regards to stress with the frequent WC it's less of a stress to them if you do it while they are inside the tank than scooping them in and out.

 

[RobynI]

Oh that’s good to know, thanks. I am a bit concerned the hospital tank is not ideal because it’s deeper but narrower. So he has further to swim to surface. Have a plant that he can rest in/on. Thanks again to response and advice. It’s v much appreciated.

 

[rhyan]

I think it's fine if the tank is a wide long instead of a taller one since betta's love to swim around the surface and love to go from one side to the other instead of swimming from surface to bottom, also they do really love traversing around the plants it acts as a gym for them. Just update us later if anything happens to him.

 

[Repolie]

It looks like he has a severe prolapse starting to fungus over which means the tissue is dead or dying. Unfortunately I would suggest euthanasia.

 

[RobynI]

Thanks for that. I will give him a few more days to see if he responds to treatment and hope for the best.

 

[RobynI]

It looks like he has a severe prolapse starting to fungus over which means the tissue is dead or dying. Unfortunately I would suggest euthanasia.

After four-five days of fungal medication the white fuzz has improved but the orange growth/prolapse? Is still there. He’s back in the tank with snails and seems a bit brighter. Still not interested in food though. Do appreciate the advice and comments on this post.

 

[rhyan]

Good thing it was gone now, just continue the water change and see if it improve for a while. In regards to his appetite, try to dip his foods in garlic juice before giving it to him it might help to entice him to eat it.

 

[ChikoritaTheAxolotl]

Betta fish can wait with no food for 14 days but they will starve by then. You can try to feed him something more appetizing like bloodworms (frozen look much more tasty the freeze dried) or something live such as brine shrimp. I’ve heard of people using mashed peas but I’m not entirely sure if he will even try to eat that. Glad to here that he’s doing a little better. It does sort of look like a tumor but orange. I would keep looking at pictures online to see if you can find something similar. Good luck!

 

[RobynI]

Betta fish can wait with no food for 14 days but they will starve by then. You can try to feed him something more appetizing like bloodworms (frozen look much more tasty the freeze dried) or something live such as brine shrimp. I’ve heard of people using mashed peas but I’m not entirely sure if he will even try to eat that. Glad to here that he’s doing a little better. It does sort of look like a tumor but orange. I would keep looking at pictures online to see if you can find something similar. Good luck!

It is possible it is prolapse. I hadn’t heard of it until someone on this thread mentioned it. He was a bit of a piggy prior to this whole episode. Would steal the snails’ algal wafer and peck at their zucchinI slices. But I don’t think I could euthanise him.

 

[rhyan]

It is possible it is prolapse. I hadn’t heard of it until someone on this thread mentioned it. He was a bit of a piggy prior to this whole episode. Would steal the snails’ algal wafer and peck at their zucchinI slices. But I don’t think I could euthanise him.

I also been through that feeling I want end my bettas suffering and ended buying some clove oil online but my fish senses that I'm going to euthanize her so she ended her life prior on me putting her to fish heaven. Glad I didn't have to put her to sleep since I still have no guts to kill a beloved pet, I just kept the clove oil when I need to sedate my goldfishes to trim their Wen when then grow up and if one of my two remaining bettas end up having severe illness.

Betta fish can wait with no food for 14 days but they will starve by then. You can try to feed him something more appetizing like bloodworms (frozen look much more tasty the freeze dried) or something live such as brine shrimp. I’ve heard of people using mashed peas but I’m not entirely sure if he will even try to eat that. Glad to here that he’s doing a little better. It does sort of look like a tumor but orange. I would keep looking at pictures online to see if you can find something similar. Good luck!

I agree because if the fish doesn't eat his usual foods then I doubt he'll also eat the peas since he was not eating and is not bloated.

 

[RobynI]

I have been researching salt baths and might give that a go tomorrow if he’s the same - he did seem a bit brighter for a little while but is now sitting in his favourite plant and looks dreadful. One of the snails practically crawled over the top of him and he didn’t flinch. He’d normally nip at them.

 

[rhyan]

I have been researching salt baths and might give that a go tomorrow if he’s the same - he did seem a bit brighter for a little while but is now sitting in his favourite plant and looks dreadful. One of the snails practically crawled over the top of him and he didn’t flinch. He’d normally nip at them.

Jeez that's bad if that continues he might be like that because he doesn't have some energy left for him to be agile enough to nip the snails. Is it just a swollen lump/hump in his stomach or does it look like something was attached to his stomach or does it looks like the stomach was open and it burst out of it? It's hard to see in the picture since it just looks like an orange thing that hangs in his belly.

 

[ChikoritaTheAxolotl]

A snail crawling over him. That is pretty bad like rhyan said. I would go for a salt bath. At this point this is your best option. Has he eaten anything yet? Keep us updated. Hope he does better

 

[RobynI]

A snail crawling over him. That is pretty bad like rhyan said. I would go for a salt bath. At this point this is your best option. Has he eaten anything yet? Keep us updated. Hope he does better

No he’s been pretty lethargic today. It has been more than two weeks since I have actually seen him eat anything. Dispensed another antifungal treatment today but am feeling v down about his chances. It’s just so sad to see him fading away - he’s lost a lot of colour and seems smaller. If it is a prolapse I can’t believe he could’ve survived this long.

 

[RobynI]

Hopefully this pic shows more clearly the issue - at least it doesn’t appear to be covered in fungus anymore but clearly it’s not good.

 

[Debbie1986]

My fish had a cyst on his fin. It grew very slowly & looked like a bubble. To my eye, yours appears to have a tumor. Due to location, not sure surgery would work unless it's a fish vet & it depends on the size of the mass. if the tumor is just surface then it can easily be removed. if it goes too deep & there's too much damage. The fish would bleed to death. Salt baths don't fix growths.

You really need a fish vet to decide any long term prognosis now that the fungus ( fuzz) is gone.

 

[RobynI]

My fish had a cyst on his fin. It grew very slowly & looked like a bubble. To my eye, yours appears to have a tumor. Due to location, not sure surgery would work unless it's a fish vet & it depends on the size of the mass. if the tumor is just surface then it can easily be removed. if it goes too deep & there's too much damage. The fish would bleed to death. Salt baths don't fix growths.

You really need a fish vet to decide any long term prognosis now that the fungus ( fuzz) is gone.

Thanks for that, really appreciate the advice.

 

[ChikoritaTheAxolotl]

Sorry I haven’t checked in at all for the past week. How’s he doing? Is he still alive? If he did pass then we are sorry but atleast we know he had a good life in your care. If he’s still hanging on then he’s definitely a strong fish! Wish you luck!

 

[RobynI]

HI yes he is still hanging in there. Virtually no change. Still changing 30-40 per cent of his water every second day and if the growth starts to look furry I do an antI fungal treatment. I feel so bad for him but can’t bring myself to put him down.

 

[RobynI]

Sadly Scorpio died this morning. He was still in his favourite plant but completely lifeless. I’m glad he’s suffering is over but will miss him.