Suddenly Sick! Lump on side and swimming weird!

[BettysBetta]

My Betta was in the care of a friend for the last 3 months so his recent history is unknown to me, other than he has always lived in a 2.5 gallon tank with 76-80 degree water (I use a heater that automatically kicks on if the water temp falls below 76 degrees), and a filter. My friend used all the same thing except for the filter while he was in her care.

He is 2 years old and normally a very active fish and very alert and curious.
When we got him back I noticed he didn't seem like himself. Then after about 2 days I noticed his side puffed up and he started floating to the top of the bowl. No pineconing so I ruled out dropsy and thought it might be swim bladder. I fasted him for 5 days and no change. I gave him a couple cooked mashed up peas but he did not eat them and after reading some things, I'm glad he didn't because I read it can make matters worse in their digestive tracts. He has lost weight and now there is only one side that has a lump on it. He also has slightly protruding eyes (popeye?), and a new brownish color spreading on his chin. With this many changes my first thought was infection.
He is now on the 3rd day of a Maracyn Two. I hate using antibiotics but I got very nervous after researching all of his symptoms that this was an internal bacteria infection? I'm not sure what else to do for him. I am really scared I am not doing the right things to help? I gave him 3 pre-soaked pellets today because every time I went near his food he seemed like he couldn't go another day without eating!

Any thoughts or ideas?

[BettysBetta]

A photo of the side with lump

[asukabetta]

Try epsom salts 1 tsp per gallon for a few days, it helps expel liquids, if not it could be a tumor.

[SuperNoob]

Looks like his belly is swollen. is he pooping?

[SuperNoob]

ive read daphnia is the safe laxative for fish

[BettysBetta]

Is ok to feed freeze dried daphnia? or should it be frozen?

[SuperNoob]

not sure, never seen the stuff but i read that frozen is better food in general.

[asukabetta]

epsom salts acts like a laxative. You can also try not feeding him for 3 days. if that doesn't work use epsom salts till it goes down. 1 tsp per gallon

[TheCheese909]

It looks to me like it's further away from the stomach, like it's a tumor. More photos will help.


If it indeed is the stomach...

Frozen daphnia is better then freezedried but if that's all you have then that's okay. Frozen brine shrimp is also a laxative, freezedried can also be used- frozen foods are always better.

Don't feed him for two days, don't worry about him getting hungry they can live just fine without being fed for long periods of time.


Peas should NEVER be fed to a Betta. They cannot digest them and can cause serious internal damage. The pea simply pushes anything in his gut out and can harm his internal organs. I'm glad you didn't feed them to him.

Post more photos, i really think it's a tumor. If you bought him from a pet store then chances are he was already a year old when you bought him as that's typically the age when stores get Bettas in. That means he's about 3 years old at least so it could very well be what the problem is.

[BettysBetta]

Originally Posted by TheCheese909

It looks to me like it's further away from the stomach, like it's a tumor. More photos will help.


If it indeed is the stomach...

Frozen daphnia is better then freezedried but if that's all you have then that's okay. Frozen brine shrimp is also a laxative, freezedried can also be used- frozen foods are always better.

Don't feed him for two days, don't worry about him getting hungry they can live just fine without being fed for long periods of time.


Peas should NEVER be fed to a Betta. They cannot digest them and can cause serious internal damage. The pea simply pushes anything in his gut out and can harm his internal organs. I'm glad you didn't feed them to him.

Post more photos, i really think it's a tumor. If you bought him from a pet store then chances are he was already a year old when you bought him as that's typically the age when stores get Bettas in. That means he's about 3 years old at least so it could very well be what the problem is.

I am afraid that is may be something like a tumor as well. It is in fact a little farther back than the stomach and with antibiotics and fasting there is no change. I feel bad for the little guy. It has gotten a little better. I will try to post more pics of it. I am still hoping that someone would be able to tell me that is something that I can fix!