Swollen spot on head!

Plutto has developed a small bump on the top of his head (inbetween his eyes) that really seems to be effecting him.

It started as him getting less active and not eating as much, staying near the surface. Then there was the bump. And now the scales on it are starting to stand up a bit.

He is in a 10 gallon tank, divided 1/3 and 2/3, and he is on the smaller side, with 2 Myster Snails (one is the size of a finger nail still) and a Ghost Shrimp. On the other side, I have Link (another Betta), 4 Endlers, 9 Ghost Shrimp, and a Nerite Snail. There are some live plants, too, on both sides. None of the other fish or creatures are showing any of the same symptoms, or other wise.

I'll try to get a pic real quick. In the mean time, any ideas? I do water changes every week, usually 50% some times a bit more or less, and I keep up on the plants.

 

Ok, so he's very unlike himslef today, and is freeking out about everything. I stuck my finger in the water just alittle to move the floating plants, and he nearly jumped out of the tank. He also seemed a bit disorientated, and darted all around the tank when I tried to net him (I don't usually net my Bettas, but he wouldnt come near the top after I put my fingers in there, so I could scoop him in the cup), where he usually just kinda excepts it. So I drew a very rough pic on Paint. Sorry it sucks so bad, its hard to "draw" on lap tops >.<

*EDIT* Pic removed, see futher down for new pic.

 

Is it possible for you to get an actual picture of him up so everyone can take a closer look?

 

No he's really freeked out about me for some reason. I was atually surprised when he came over to get food (that he didnt eat...) a few minutes ago... I'll see what Google has...

 

Ok, this may help some:

This person had the same exact problem with their Betta, just that the bump was alittle further back. Same behavior and symptoms and everything.




*EDIT*

Heres a pic that's much better. Plutto's isn't that big, but its the same thing



One thing that just occurred to me, it could be a tumor. He was a pitty purchass from WalMart, fully grown, horrible fin damage, and in brown water.

 

Any ideas yet?

 

Ok guys, I just got back from a 5 day vacation to the mountains and the CincinnatI Zoo =3 Thus the lack of updates on Plutto.

Anywho, now that I'm home, I have an update, and a few actual pics (tho they kinda suck because he was hiding).

Still inactive, and won't eat much. Just kinda hanging around either the top or the bottom of the tank, and doesn't seem to have any problems stay down, staying up, or going in between, which is pretty good. The bump didnt seem to change any, other then the scales are standing up a bit more.

I got a few pics. The suck horribly, but they're something.
-Pic one, all you can see is the bump, but it gives you a good idea on where it is on his head.
-Pic two, gives you a good idea of its shape.
-Pic three, you can see the scales standing up. They stand almost straight up and down

 

Wow how the heck do you notice that small spot? anyways maybe he learned something and got a bigger brain!

 

The way the "real" light catches it, its really ovious. The tank had poor lighting, and only one of the two 15 watt sockets works (and the one on Plutto's side of the tank is conveiniently the one that is broken), and it makes it even worse. Plus he was being a pain in the butt, and wouldnt come up out of the gravel, so even worse lighting down there >.<

 

Ok, new update. There are now scales missing, and discoloration around it... :/ Got some pics, but he was really upset (as he always is these days...). I was really hard to even just net him, let alone get him to sit still long enough to get a good look at his head. So, I did the best I could on pics.

The poor guy is never happy, freeks out at any movement, doesn't eat, doesn say hI to me anymore... I think I may have to just put him down... Any thoughts on what this is yet? I can't seem to find anything, and there's nothing in the tank for him to have hurt himself on. Also, there is nothing wrong with the other fish in the tank.

 

I'm not sure what could be wrong with him - I had a betta that had a mysterious bump once that I could only guess was a tumor. It was so bad his dorsal fin fell off. Still, he lived for another year.

I'm a big proponent of not just 'putting down' animals unless it really is the most humane choice. Give him some time to try and get better on his own. I understand it seems to be progressing with the loss of scales, but please give him a chance to heal up.

Keep updating on what's happening, hopefully more symptoms will show to help diagnose (or better yet, completely go away). If I were you, I would give him some sort of really good hiding spot and maybe somehow darken his little area, put a betta leaf hammock at the top so he can rest and breath easier, and just in general get some rest & relaxation. Definitely no more netting and just try to let him recuperate peacefully. Good luck, I hope Plutto gets better soon!

 

I don't agree with putting animals down either unless it neccessary, but he's so unhappy, and doesn't eat, it really doesn't seem to be getting better. He's afraid of everything, and most of the time just sits around pumping his gills really hard.

His plants go to the very top of the water, and he does sit in them some times. Mostly, though, he just floats at the surface or sits in the gravel. I have a log that I have been meaning to put in there, but everything stress him out, so I've been kinda putting it off >.<

 

That certainly sounds like illness, or perhaps...how old is Plutto? And have you considered treating him with some antibiotics? If he is having trouble breathing, I would also add an airstone - I know they are air-breathers but it still seems like more oxygen in the water couldn't hurt. And are the other 2 fish still just as happy and normal as ever?

 

You have some serious overcrowding!

1 betta = 1 gallon *I don't recommend it.*
1 myster snail = 1 gallon for < 1in and 2.5 gallons for 2in *I will count this as 1 gallon.*
1 ghost shrimp = 2 gallons
1 endler = 1.5 gallons for waste *10 gallons due to activity*
1 nerite snail = 10 gallons

You have 2 bettas, 2 myster snails, 10 ghost shrimp, 4 endlers, and 1 nerite snail. That is 40 GALLONS of waste water being pumped into 10 gallons. I believe your betta is being affected by overcrowding.

You may find the information in the s below interesting.

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&...ttid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=f_gqy9cqtl0&zw

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&...ttid=0.2&disp=inline&realattid=f_gqy9cwp61&zw

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&...ttid=0.3&disp=inline&realattid=f_gqy9d1r32&zw

*These are my s.*

I hope your little guy improves.

 

That certainly sounds like illness, or perhaps...how old is Plutto? And have you considered treating him with some antibiotics? If he is having trouble breathing, I would also add an airstone - I know they are air-breathers but it still seems like more oxygen in the water couldn't hurt. And are the other 2 fish still just as happy and normal as ever?

I don't know how old he is. I bought him fully grown at WalMart, in very poor conditions (pitty purchas >.<). All the other fish are fine, eat like pigs, and are very active. Its just Plutto that is having problems. I honestly think the conditions he was kept in has something to with it, even though it was over an year ago that I bought him.

You have some serious overcrowding!

1 betta = 1 gallon *I don't recommend it.*
1 myster snail = 1 gallon for < 1in and 2.5 gallons for 2in *I will count this as 1 gallon.*
1 ghost shrimp = 2 gallons
1 endler = 1.5 gallons for waste *10 gallons due to activity*
1 nerite snail = 10 gallons

You have 2 bettas, 2 myster snails, 10 ghost shrimp, 4 endlers, and 1 nerite snail. That is 40 GALLONS of waste water being pumped into 10 gallons. I believe your betta is being affected by overcrowding.

I honestly don't think its as bad as you think it is. I do know it is a bit overstocked, because I was not expecting to put Plutto in there, but I recently had to rehome 3 of my 4 tanks, and he will be rehomed in about 2 weeks if he makes it through this.

Ghost Shrimp have very low bioloads, and I know a lot of people here keep small (under 5 gallons) Shrimp tanks. Same with Endlers.

The Snails I can see being a bit too much, but they won't be there long, and they were just added. But I personally think Mysteries should be in nothing smaller then 10 gallons, but see nothing wrong with 2 in a 10 gallon, even though I will soon only have one. Nerites aren't near as much of a bioload as Mysteries IME.

So, yes, it a tight squeeze, and only because I had to rehome tanks, but its not due to overcrowding or my other fish would be having the same issues.

 

Your betta could of had this issue before you got him and began to show signs after you brought him home. The overcrowded tank could of also exacerbated the illness/disease.

So, yes, it a tight squeeze, and only because I had to rehome tanks, but its not due to overcrowding or my other fish would be having the same issues.

Saying that all of the fish would have the same issues is inaccurate. Fish react to stressors and illnesses differently and at different intensities. Sometimes all of the livestock in the tank react almost identical and sometimes they don't.

 

Your betta could of had this issue before you got him and began to show signs after you brought him home. The overcrowded tank could of also exacerbated the illness/disease.

That's what I'm thinking, but what it is how to treat is the problem lol What ever it is, he seems to be doing better. He's been eating since last night, and isn't quite as skittish. I did a 50% water change 3 days ago, with lots of Stress Coat, and I'm going to do one again tomorrow. He also has a home to go to in 2 weeks, after I move (10 hour drive... UGH!!!!!)

Saying that all of the fish would have the same issues is inaccurate. Fish react to stressors and illnesses differently and at different intensities. Sometimes all of the livestock in the tank react almost identical and sometimes they don't.

I suppose that's true, but seeing as he seems to be getting better, I'm quite sure that what ever it is is isolated to him from what ever mis-treatment he received before I got him.

 

Hmm. If he is getting better, then I would just continue with a daily water change of 25% and continue the stress coat. The nature of a tumor is either fatal, or for the most part, it will be benign and be more damaging appearance wise. Either way there isn't really a cure.
Keeping your betta in optimal conditions will help stabilize any condition and help with health. Since your betta seems to be stablizing, his chances of living a happy and healthy life are greater. The only thing that worries me, is the location of the tumor. Too much pressure on the brain or between the eyes can cause some serious issues.

Right now it is just a waiting game. There isn't enough research being done on the effects and treatment of tumors in fish; especially in small aquarium fish that are cheap to replace.

Here is hoping that he will be fine with his tumor and the move. Good Luck and keep us posted.

 

Hmm. If he is getting better, then I would just continue with a daily water change of 25% and continue the stress coat. The nature of a tumor is either fatal, or for the most part, it will be benign and be more damaging appearance wise. Either way there isn't really a cure.
Keeping your betta in optimal conditions will help stabilize any condition and help with health. Since your betta seems to be stablizing, his chances of living a happy and healthy life are greater. The only thing that worries me, is the location of the tumor. Too much pressure on the brain or between the eyes can cause some serious issues.

Right now it is just a waiting game. There isn't enough research being done on the effects and treatment of tumors in fish; especially in small aquarium fish that are cheap to replace.

Here is hoping that he will be fine with his tumor and the move. Good Luck and keep us posted.

The location of it was deffinatly affecting him. He was like a completly different fish. He seems to be almost back to his old self again, but is still skittish and some times won't eat. It seems to me, in these untreatable things, that it always starts to get better, then gets worse. Hopefully that won't be the case!

 

Bettas are hardy little fish. I have a 2 year old female who has had a tumor on her head and side. She has always been very healthy. The tumors have never affected her. So our situations are different, but fish can live happy lives even with a tumor.

 

Update on Plutto:

I treated him with Betta Revive for almost a week, and all he did was get worse, so I just stopped the treatment. He's now in a Lee's Double Betta Keeper, living out the rest of his life in isolation.

He can barley swim, its a fight to get to the top for food or air, even though its just a few inches, and when he's done, he sinks like a rock. Theres oviously nothing left to do for him since water changes, then meds, didnt help.

*sigh*

 

sorry to side track but is your divider made out of vinyl siding?

 

also lower the water level so he has just enough room to move around but its easy to breath.
it will make him more comfortable.

 

sorry to side track but is your divider made out of vinyl siding?

No, its a Penn Plax brand divider lol

also lower the water level so he has just enough room to move around but its easy to breath.
it will make him more comfortable.

He's in an actual 'betta tank' now (horrible, I know, but its all I have to QT him in). Its about 4 inches tall and wide, and about 8 inches long. He has trouble with just the 4 inches of water...

 

I mean lower it so he doesn't have to swim up,
Also any updates on him?

 

We'll he's got himself lodged in the plant that I have in there for him, so he doesn't even need to need to swim up or down, unless he goes out of it, for some reason.

No updates. I did think he dead yesterday though, but I must have just caught him while we taking a nap -_-' he was rather excited to eat, and ate alot, but still no improvement :/

 

ugh I really hope he recovers though it sounds like a slI'm chance. do you know his age?

 

No, he was fully grown when I got him as a pitty purchass at WalMart. I'll find his story for you...

 

okay it could be an old timers thing lol

 

Here it is

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/my-walmart-rescue.74020/

 

ok I'll read it and talk later!

 

wow!! omg if I could just rescue a betta like that I don't think id have space to sleep!!!

plus parents would kill me!