[Marleysmom]

Hi. My betta Ziggy has a lump across the side of his body. When I point the flashlight through, it is almost completely transparent. Almost like a blister. He also has another lump on the other side. I first noticed this a few months ago. Since then they have grown bigger. His fins have thinned out a bit too. He is still active. He still eats. He does seem to have to lay on his leaf after eating. Maybe he can't digest very well. I also see him lying on his house a lot. Does anyone have any idea what this might be? I am not sure if I should be treating him with medicine. Thank you.

https://goo.gl/photos/Pz91nauPW3QBRgNz5

https://goo.gl/photos/FAHrWdqAbB65GZQm8

https://goo.gl/photos/X1TewAVxZx3z47yX6

 

[nicolesbetta]

Going off on a limb here... Do you have any small rocks? Perhaps he ate one?

 

[Marleysmom]

Don't know what to do

Thanks for responding. I suppose he could have swallowed a small rock, but I really don't think so. It's long and clear. He's beginning to lay at the bottom a lot. And his fins are falling off in that area. I don't know what to do. I don't want him to suffer. I wish I knew what he has. :-(

 

[cakes488]

Hi Anal fin is looking really bad. He swims totally normal?

 

[Marleysmom]

Getting worse

I know. It's looks awful! I feel so Abad for him. He still tries to swim, but he is having a lot of trouble. He's still eating. I don't know whether to try medicine. It's like a clear bubble. Not sure of its a cyst or tumor.

 

[jadaBlu]

If it is like a clear bubble it's more likely to be a cyst(however tumors can fill up also). Normally there isn't much you can do. The one thing I would try if you can get him eat it is soak fish food pellets in garlic juice to make the pellets more palatable and Kanaplex. If it's an infectious cyst getting antibiotics inside of him would be ideal, injectable even better but I have not found any dosages for such a small fish. It's normally done for goldfish plus injectables are hard to come by. Normally a vet has to obtain them. I've read this strictly in relation to goldfish. I found this vet that treats fish generally Koi. You don't have anything to lose to send email with linked pictures. She might have sympathy and reply. It's such a common problem with bettas it would awesome if just one vet would respond.

http://drquesten.com/dr-koi/

She is in Colorado. Let us know if you do email and she replies.

 

[Marleysmom]

Dr Q

Thank you for your advice. I will see if I can get some kanaplex today. I have some tetracycline on hand, but not sure if that would work. I sent an e mail to Dr Q. I'm in Colorado too. I couldn't find an address on her website. So not sure where in Colorado she is located. I really appreciate you giving me her info. I will let you know right away if she writes me back. Thanks again.

 

[Marleysmom]

PLEASE HELP! Tumor?

Hi there, I honestly don't know what to do for my poor little guy. He now is at the point where he lays on his hammock all day and night. I have tried tetracycline. He is still eating, but has to get back to his hammock right away. It's hard to tell from the pics, but if I shine a light from behind, the lumps are very transparent. I just don't want him to suffer if he's in pain. They could be cysts i suppose. Has anyone used Bio Bandage? I would appreciate any advice or suggestions. Thank you

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this is what ziggy used to look like

 

[jadaBlu]

Hi, the bio bandage is generally for external wounds. I have tried and found it stressful for me and the fish during application and eventually the fish would shake it off her tail. Aside from htat attempting a risky procedure to drain the cyst with a sterile insulin needle there is little else you can do. The site location and angle are crucial because a major organ can be hit. It's best done by a vet.
There is a youtube video that shows two betta owners doing it. The fish improved for a few weeks and then passed away. Based on betta anatomy charts I don't see a good place that any drainage could be done except maybe by directly by his tail. Most of the swelling is around his major organs and swim bladder. The problem is that often cysts refill after being drained. It has be drained again but that means another procedure. In humans cysts if continually drained often stop filling up. For a fish I think that would be very stressful. I am sorry you two are having to go through this.

This problem is becoming so common and I wish I had an curative answer but I have not found one. Most of what can be done is palliative. You can add epsom salt to the tank it sometimes helps with swelling but he is at the stage that unless a cure is found he will likely soon pass away. I have been through this with a betta that ironically looked alot like yours. It's a very tough situation.

 

[Hopefish]

Aw, I am so sorry you and your beautiful fish are going through this. I honestly know very little about this, but could it be some kind of internal parasite? What do you guys think?