White Mass growing on Betta fish?

Hey, guys.

I adopted a very small/young female Betta fish a few weeks ago for my workplace. When adopted she had what appeared to be a loose cluster of scales on her side. I figured she had been scratched in transport somehow and didn't pay too much mind to it as it didn't seem to bother her. However it has been growing quite quickly and seems to be a mass coming out from under her scales, not the scales themselves. I'm concerned it's a tumor. (Images below, click to ZOOM)








I've also noticed a smaller white spot forming on the other side of her body, up on her head (Image below). Not sure if these two are related.




I started treating her with MELAFIX four days ago and it seems to have made a slight difference in terms of the shape of the mass on her side, but the one on her head has been getting bigger.

She is in a 5 gallon tank with a filter, an air rock, two apple snails to keep it clean (Zester and Crab), and a heater. Lots of places to hide. A moss ball. I know NOTHING about PH levels and things as I've never had any problems with fish and the general setups I've used.

Her name is Dela(Haze) and we all love her very much here. She is EXTREMELY active still, eats well (in fact she's ALWAYS hungry and has grown quickly) and she is super social. She always comes out to say Hello and ask for food. Nothing in her behavior tells me that she is sick or that these spots are physically harming/hindering her. Does anyone know what kind of fungus this could be, if so? I definitely don't think it looks like Ich/Ick.

Some images taken with flash, which is why she looks green in a few!
Thank you!

 

It looks like a tumor to me and if that is the case the only way I’m aware of is the surgically remove it. And I’m not to sure on the process because I’ve never done it but I’m pretty sure you use a sterilized knife and cut it off but I wouldn’t do that without a second opinion

 

I would do a 75% water change to remove the melafix. It can be harmful to any fish but especially fish with labyrinth organs (like bettas) because it makes it harder for them to breathe. That white mass could be bacterial. Unfortunately it could also be genetic. Right now I would be doing daily water changes to prevent any further infection if it is bacterial. I would Wait on meds for now until it’s easier to tell what this is.

 

Would you suggest full water changes or just 75% daily? The melafix did seem to flatten out the growth a bit after the tank was treated for the last few days, this makes me hope it is bacterial. I'll change over most of the water tomorrow if it will cause her trouble breathing though. I've never had ANY problems with my fish before and my local pet store suggested the Melafix. I don't usually trust pet stores, but a google search seemed to label it as a popular product for treating Betta fish

Is there specific signs I should look for to know what medication to use if it does seem to be a bacterial issue? Do you have a suggestion for medication?

 

Are you using Melafix or Bettafix? Bettas had a labyrinth organ that does not do well with the melaleuca oil in Melafix. The Bettafix is the same stuff, but it is half the concentration of Malafix. If you are using Melafix, use only half the dose. However, that means it is only half as effective.

I am not sure what the bumps are. It might be a bacterial infection. It might be some type of parasite. I am hoping one of the other forum members has seen something similar and will be able to give better guidance than I on how to treat it.

If possible, get a water test kit and check things like pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels. Are you doing routine water changes? These are some of the things members need to know if they are going to give your proper guidance.

 

Would you suggest full water changes or just 75% daily? The melafix did seem to flatten out the growth a bit after the tank was treated for the last few days, this makes me hope it is bacterial. I'll change over most of the water tomorrow if it will cause her trouble breathing though. I've never had ANY problems with my fish before and my local pet store suggested the Melafix. I don't usually trust pet stores, but a google search seemed to label it as a popular product for treating Betta fish

Is there specific signs I should look for to know what medication to use if it does seem to be a bacterial issue? Do you have a suggestion for medication?

Honestly both bettafix and melafix are ineffective as treatment. It actually killed my friends healthy betta when they used it per recommendation of the pet store . I have seen a bacterial mass like this, but I didn’t catch it in time when the fish was still healthy. Someone else should probably recommend a bacterial treatment, I’ve been lucky enough to have only a few bacterial infections that were minor and treated with waterchanges. Also, only do a 75% water change for the first day and 50% after that. A 100% water change could mess up the cycle.

 

@
RayClem


It is Melafix. I didn't see Bettafix at the store I purchased her from, which is the one I returned to for the treatment. Unfortunately they didn't mention anything about it causing her breathing issues. Thankfully she seems to be breathing okay but I will change the water out tomorrow!

I do routine water changes, if not weekly it is bi-weekly. Usually 20% to 50%. The snails keep it clean as heck so the water changes have mainly been due to recommendations to help with Ammonia and things. Everything but these lumps seems to be perfect. She is the spunkiest and most active Betta I've ever had the privilege of owning thus far!

I will try and grab a test kit tomorrow, however I don't think it has to due with the tank as she had this mass and a small spot when she was adopted from living in a cup

jkkgron2

Yipes, will definitely filter it out of the tank carefully.

I've heard of Methylene Blue as treatment, if applied properly. Does anyone know if this is a possible medication to treat this with if it is potentially fungal?

 

Looks to me like a tumor. Here's a Foo The Flowerhorn video on removing a tumor:

 

AggressiveAquatics

I somehow missed your comment!

I really hope it isn't a tumor, she is so small I'm not sure it would be possible for me to remove it without potentially hurting her

 

If she is active and eating, those are at least positive signs!! Can't tell if tumor or a cyst. But yes, clean water will help keep her comfy whatever it is. Also, if one should happen to rupture, clean water will help keep infection down.

 

AggressiveAquatics

I somehow missed your comment!

I really hope it isn't a tumor, she is so small I'm not sure it would be possible for me to remove it without potentially hurting her

I'm afraid it is a tumor. As I said before, there is a video on removing it and Foo The Flowerhorn's betta survived. I'm afraid that is the only way I know to cure it.

She is a dragon scale betta correct? They are more prone to tumors than other bettas.

 

AcornTheBetta

The only reason I think it might not be is because of the shape. Its REALLY hard to get an image of it from the angle needed, but it isn't necessarily a lump like every other image I've seen of a tumor on a fish. Its almost like little round pieces that are forming from under/on a couple scales. I definitely wouldn't be able to cut it off as a solid piece, I don't think.

It also looks like soft tissue? Not a hard lump.

 

AcornTheBetta

The only reason I think it might not be is because of the shape. Its REALLY hard to get an image of it from the angle needed, but it isn't necessarily a lump like every other image I've seen of a tumor on a fish. Its almost like little round pieces that are forming from under/on a couple scales. I definitely wouldn't be able to cut it off as a solid piece, I don't think.

It also looks like soft tissue? Not a hard lump.

View attachment 743230

Maybe its a cyst then?

 

AcornTheBetta

And I have no idea what she is. She was tiny at the pet store so they weren't aware either. Just that she was likely a cellophane coloration with possible color changing, as she has very light blue patches.

I personally would assume she is a Dragon scale though, Yes.

AcornTheBetta

Hoping its a cyst as I'm now reading they are more common than tumors. Its likely it could have ruptured, giving it the more flat appearance since I started treating? Fingers crossed as I look further in to it.

 

AcornTheBetta

Hoping its a cyst as I'm now reading they are more common than tumors. Its likely it could have ruptured, giving it the more flat appearance since I started treating? Fingers crossed as I look further in to it.

I am not sure about treating cyst... You'll have to find someone more experienced to help with that...