I found a betta, male half moon giant, I feel sorry for

[pepsi1977]

...of course, at Petco.

He is just lounging around, is white with black eyes (which I like). But he has a large white growth (doesn't look fuzzy) on his left side and some granules (ick-looking) on the underside primarily.

I want to see if I can nurse him to health but, even at a "special"/$19 it seems potentially an expensive task. BTW, I rescue cats and dogs and people, too! So thus the draw.

What do you guys think the growth/tumour could be?

[Leeniex]

Could be a tumor....did you ask for the fish? They may give it to you for free because no one will buy the poor thing. :(

[pepsi1977]

It's Petco... :( If you bring it to their attention they "take it into the back and give it medication, etc" Which I wonder is a euthemism for letting it die :(

I had thought I might pay the $19 for it...King Male Half Moon...and see if isolating him with some meds might help. There is a (sad) 30 day guarantee on fish.

What do you think? Poor thing

[hmckin20]

i would try it.. if he dies you can get your money back (however terrible that is) and he'll at least have a good home before he dies
and if he lives, you have a gorgeous betta!

[LionCalie]

Personally, I try to avoid paying pet stores for neglected/abused rescues because you are supporting them with your money. Two times now I've gotten Betta's free from Walmart on deaths door. I raise hell with the manager first, then explain I can medicate and give the Betta a fighting chance, but I will not pay for a sick fish. Why whould they change their ways if they continue to make money? The downside being, of course, that animals have to suffer for their greed and ignorance.

[pepsi1977]

Yes. I agree. I've decided to buy the sick fish as that is the only way to give it a chance, and then "return" the fish in two weeks using the body of my beta who passed. Doubt they'll figure it out

[caitic10]

Lol, Ive thought about doing that. Although you may have a problem if your reciept says King betta. Some employees can tell the difference if your dead fish is a king betta.

[pepsi1977]

Severe ick I believe. And stringy "stuff" coming off him when he moves around...happy to be out of Petco!!

So, I have an "isolation bowl", about 1-2 gallons. No filtration.
Can I use that?
Metafix? Tetracycline? Suggestions?

He has globs of it...so I can't wait to get this started.

Thanks, guys

[LionCalie]

That doesn't sound like Ick to me, possibly columnaris? Is it mold-like lesions or like he was sprinkled with salt? Pictures would be helpful. We really need to figure out what illness he is suffering from before starting any treatment.

[pepsi1977]

What do you think? The white stuff on the gill looks like a chunk of chalk the body has some irredescent spots which is columnaris?? I really appreciate your time. I want to save this fish (hey, just saw how crappy this blackberry's camera is...this was a cell phone just for today...oh well, can you see the pictures?)