Betta Fish Forum banner

Raised patch of scales with black dot under ???

575 views 9 replies 3 participants last post by  BettaObsessed  
#1 ·
I am so confused on what the heck this is, but it doesn't look good. He has a white body, but still the area looks kind of fuzzy. I'll attach a picture.
Housing
What size is your tank? 12 gallons
What temperature is your tank? 82-78
Does your tank have a filter? Yes in another divided section.
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? No
Is your tank heated? Yes
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? The other 4 bettas in the other sections. And the stupid pond snails.

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? Frozen foods: bloodworms, brine shrimp, and carnivorous community formula all by omega one. They also eat pellets by omega one.
How often do you feed your betta fish? Once a day with a fasting about 1 a week.

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? Once a week.
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? 20-33%
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? Prime seachem and stress coat.

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?

Ammonia:0
Nitrite:0
Nitrate:10
pH:7
Hardness:very hard
Alkalinity: 80 ppm

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? Behind his left eye there is a spot where the scales seem to be raised and there is a black dot underneath the patch.
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? He seems normal.
When did you start noticing the symptoms? I was on vacation, but I noticed it this morning.
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? No.
Does your fish have any history of being ill? Fin biting, but that's it.
How old is your fish (approximately)? 7 months
The picture isn't the best, but I think you can see the black dot if you look right behind his gill, it's a bit farther up than straight back. I will say, this could be nothing but I am worried about a parasite because of frozen foods and the fact that I was gone. He has some black coloration, but the slightly raised scales make me think it's something else. Could his scales be fluffed up because he is stressed or something, maybe because in my absence something was done differently? I just want some help. Thanks.
 

Attachments

#3 · (Edited)
I can't see clearly but this looks like cyst or a tumor. It appears to be under the skin inside the body. Is that right? Is part of his body fuzzy or are you referring to the picture? If it's his body then look at treatment for columaris.
 
#4 ·
It is under the skin. The picture is fuzzy, sorry for the confusion. His scales have laid down, but is there any treatment? Will this end his life? And is the only reason I can see it because he has a pale body? Thanks for the diagnosis.
 
#5 · (Edited)
I have to apologize you may not have seen my previous post (which I am now editing) since you have not responded but I misread your previous response and I see that it's a lump under the skin. This is more than likely a cyst or tumor if there is lump under the skin or there is possibility that he has an infection or parasites. You could assume it's the least serious problem which would be the infection and parasites and try treating for that. I had a fish with similar problem. One treatment for internal infections and parasites is General cure.
 
#6 ·
I'm sorry I thought I responded, it shows that I did, but it could be a glitch. Will the tumor or cyst end his life? Is treating for parasites and internal infection a good option, or will it just stress him out because it's most likely not the cause? I have heard that Epsom salt baths can help with tumors, should I try that? His scales have laid down, but there is still that black dot. Is the only reason I can see it because he has a pale body? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to gather all the information. Thanks for the help.
 
#7 ·
Bettas can live fine with cysts and tumors. It really depends on the tumor itself, where its located, and how it grows. I just wanted to pipe in and give you that piece of mind before jadaBlu's next response. I don't have any experience treating for parasites myself
 
#10 ·
No, it's deep under the skin, I think the only reason I can see it is because he's pale bodied. It seems to be getting smaller though.