[Scabior]

Please help! Ive tried other forums and no one is helping so hopefully you guys will know what's wrong.
Scabior is my betta Ive had for eight months. He has a bump on his side by the tail, and the pet store assured me it was a pimple. Well, it has grown a lot since then and ks now spreading to his other side! I dont know if I can help him or not

 

[haveyouhadyourteayet]

... Man, it's really great to know that pet stores are really more concerned with the health of the fish, and not just making the sale... /end sarcasm

 

[Taeanna]

You may be dealing with a tumor..if that is the case there isnt much that can be done but if it is a cyst or otherwise it is a little easier to sort out.
What does it look like inside the lump? Solid flesh or like air/water? is the spot tender to him or doesnt he notice it?

 

[Scabior]

I have no clue what is inside of it, I hadn't thought of poking it because I didn't want him to start bleeding or something. He doesn't seem to mind it at all, but I'd imagine it's uncomfortable since it is showing up on his other side, like its grown all the way through him

 

[Taeanna]

Well there are no organs that far back in a betta so it isnt some sort of organ failure...you may be dealing with a tumor which is a bit of a problem. No real treatments exist for them you see.
Tumors will be solid flesh all the way through and can be either acute or benign. benign is ungrowing/unchanging and acute is still spreading. if the tumor settles down then it is possible your boy can continue even with it for some time as long as it doesnt affect his quality of life. If it is spreading and it begins to affect his organs or his bouyancy however you will have problems with his health.
As long as he is alert, happy and being looked after by such a lovely person I am sure he will be able to go on without concern, but be prepared that there isnt really anything that can be done to remove it, fish surgery isnt very advanced.

Of course if at some stage you realise it IS full of water or air you are in luck, because thats a cyst. Fish can deal with them as long as they dont bother them but if it bursts on its own (or you feel its safe to do so yourself) it will purge the gross and go back to normal. I am rooting for the second option.

 

[Scabior]

Oh I hope so but it is spreading to his other side. I'll try to get a picture of it tomorrow, I moved him to my office so I could watch him better (and he loves being with people!)

 

[Scabior]

Herr is a picture of his other side