Does My Betta Have A Tumor?

[keithp]

Over the past 2 weeks my female betta is lumpy on only 1 side of her body. She has never had this before, and I thought it was constipation but she is pooing normally and eating just fine and I decreased her feeding portions. I gave her peas and daphnia, she pooed, but the side swelling has not gone down. Otherwise she seems fine.

Side view (see red outline I made)

top view

 

[Azaeil]

Hmm, I haven't seen this before, but it looks like her body's also slightly crooked in the way some bettas like to swim, so you might be seeing just bloat in overfeeding and her body posture makes it look like she's got a tumor on the right side.

I'm not that familiar in diagnosing much betta ailments aside from dropsy and constipation, someone else might be able to help you there.

 

[keithp]

I thought about that, but I dont remember her looking crooked, the bump makes it appear that way.

 

[loraxchick]

not a tumor-thats her swimbladder (have a google of betta anatomy. Likely shes constipated putting pressure on the swimbladder so it cannot regulate the gasses as it should (so stays "over-inflated for lack of better term). is she having trouble swimming? how is her poo. Any sort of internal pressure (or even rapid change in water temp) can cause SB disorders. Internal parasites also can do this. make sure she is pooing and take notice of what it looks like (white/stringy/mucousy=potential problem, from constipation to internal parasites).
for now keep the water clean and temp stable, likely will clear on its own once the pressure stabilizes.
best of luck, and thanks for the pic. really helpful!
cheers

i also just noticed that on that side her scales are slightly raised. dont be worried about dropsy-its just the swelling in her side lifting the scales up a bit. also she is pretty heafty in the tummy. either eggy or feeding too much (or both). keep an eye on her poo for signs of problems. either way would explain the SB being overinflated. id fast for a few days. see if her bloating goes down.
cheers again.

 

[the biffster]

i was just wondering if mashed
peas would do any good with is
problem they say they are good
for constipation and stuff like that

 

[loraxchick]

i was just wondering if mashed
peas would do any good with is
problem they say they are good
for constipation and stuff like that

they are terrific for constipation. then a two day fast and hopefully will be good as new (unless eggy which may take week or two to reapsorb). never hurts to feed peas (tips pf cooked broccoli work the same way if no peas available just an FYI for those who are interested).
cheers

 

[keithp]

Ok well thats good news. She is swimming fine. Her poo looks normal but she doesnt poo as often as I like.

In the past she did have that bacterial infection so it might make her more prone to digestive problems now. I have been feeding her pellets less often and more frozen foods like bloodworms and daphnia, but for some reason she just doesnt digest her food fast anymore. I even skip feeding and have tried adding a bit of epson salt, but it makes no difference.

I'll feed even less than and give more peas and try fasting.

 

[Azaeil]

Hmmm, I hope she gets better, I feed my fish on a 2-3 day schedule with decently hefty meals each time to account for the bottom feeders, and I do so because my smallest female, a rich cambodian crowntail, is a PIG, she'll remember where the food had fallen and pick it out of the gravel if the bottom feeders weren't quick enough.

 

[loraxchick]

try only feeding three days a week for a while and see if she improves.
best of luck!
cheers

 

[the biffster]

did you have an luck with
the mashed peas

 

[keithp]

did you have an luck with
the mashed peas

I have tried the peas and fasting for 2 days, she popes a bit more than normal, but no change in that lump so far.

 

[the biffster]

just keep on with what
we said and see what happens

 

[keithp]

She pooed more, but now it's coming out with this mucus like substance. You can see it's orangish color and attached to the brown poo (this is on the bottom of the tank), and also seperated. If I zoom in I see tiny white dots in the mucus, could that be discarded eggs? Last time I saw this she began to blow up like a balloon which I think was a bacterial infection, so now i'm worried it's coming back.

I did give her lots of peas and daphnia this week, but I dont think that should change the color of her poo? It should all be brown I think?

 

[loraxchick]

the consistency of her poo looks perfectly normal...been feeding daphnia lately? would explain the clear poo with "eggs: (daphnia shells")... the lump is swimbladder and nohing sinister..so long as she swims like a normal fish, i wouldnt worry. epsom is great for swelling of body tissues but woulnt help an enlarged sb.
i wouldnt start panicking yet
cheers

 

[keithp]

Oh, I never knew the food changed the color of the poo.