So I'm moving, and the last few days have been pretty hectic. I've still yet to move my tank to the new house. I was peeking in on my guys today, when I noticed something seemed strange about Anael.
In the area where the little... short swimmy arm fin connects to the boy on his left side, there seems to be a small tumor or growth. It starts just above that fin and overlaps it a bit. It doesn't look like an injury, and it's the same color as the rest of him. I've... no idea what to do about this. It's very small, but will it grow? Is there anything I can do? Is it possible it is an injury that's infected or something?
You mean where the pectoral fin touches his body? My old betta Finny got that, and it eventually led to a big stomach and he died in treatment with epsom salt. :/ Not sure if it's the same thing, but make sure to keep his water clean to stave whatever this is off! ^^
No. Ever since I've gotten him he's been a somewhat lazy fish-- he prefers to lay in small spaces. He's still eating well and swimming energetically when he feels like it, and no hampering of movement thus far. I suppose that if it is a tumor, his time is limited, and I'll just... keep an eye on him. He doesn't seem that old for cancer (which I assume tumors are?), I only got him around christmas :c
Unless it could be something else, I suppose I'll just be careful with him, and if he starts having difficulty swimming I'll move him to a smaller heated container so he can get to air more easily.
Tango has one of these. It's been that way for months now. The only effect I've noticed is decreased movement in that fin. His range of motion is smaller. But he makes up for it on the other side and still gets around the same.
Sometimes fish develop tumors or little bumps like that for virtually no reason. It could be genetic, or something in your water. Usually the betta doesn't have a difficult time with it. If he's acting fine I wouldn't worry too much. As everyone else said, just keep his water clean so that he may be able to heal. Of course, some tumors don't go away, but I don't believe I know anyone who said their tumors were the cause of death, normally from something like bloat, dropsy, or another illness.
Out of curiosity...
Tank size? Heated? Filtered? Did you get your betta from a LFS or aquabid?
Yes, tumors are cancer. Environmental things do not "cause" most cancers. Unless you or your fish smokes, works in a coal mine or is exposed to excess radiation, asbestic or other DNA damaging chemicals then the cancer is most likely just chance (if not then your fish's cancer is the least of your worries!). Every day during cell division there are hundreds of errors in DNA replication and our bodies have ways of fixing them. However, occasionally some of these errors get by unnoticed and the now cancerous cell divides uncontrollably. There are many types of cancer and not all all of them are fatal. There are many benign cancers like fatty cell tumors which don't actually cause problems, they might just get in the way. Fatal/malignant cancers are ones that spread to other parts of the body and basically take over organs. When bettas die from these they often have a ton of symptoms that point towards other diseases but treatments don't work. Since you are not seeing other symptoms then this is probably a benign tumor. Animals can live a long time with these as long as they don't prevent them from getting to food, air etc... I've had bettas live their normal life span with benign tumors.
^^^Sorry, the Pre-Vet in me is rambling
Sadly, age does not determine when an animal is susceptible to cancer
Good luck with him, let us know if he develops any symptoms. I would also like to know where you got him from?
Anael was purchased from a Petco in the Fridley MN area. I've had him since aorund new years. He lives in a divided 10 gallon that is heated, fitlered, and has live plants, along with three other male bettas. The tank is kept at 80 degrees.
I'm hoping it'll stay about the same size it is, and not hamper his swimming any. He's a very lovely fish and I like him quite a bit. 8C
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