Seriously Ill Betta- Plz Help

[Wildcard3693]

My Betta has been ill for about 2 weeks. He has a large lump on his body and he's lost a bit of colour underneath (which has now swollen a bit). Water has been tested and has normal results (pH of 7.4 minimal nitrite etc...) He's in a 15ltr tank with heater (temp 81F) and filter. Because of the location of the tank next to a window, it gets a lot of algae. I've given him anti internal bacteria medication and given him Espom salt baths (20 mins at a time) twice a day for the past 5 days as i thought it may be constipation at first. He's not eaten for nearly 2 weeks but he usually eats flake and pellet type food. He can swim fine when he has to but spends the majority of the time lying on the bottom of the tank.

If anyone has any advice or help let me know. I think i've given enough info. If I've missed anything please ask.

a more recent pic (this evening)

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I saw your other post but I had no idea how to help then. I'm really sorry I can't help but I REALLY hope somene knows what it is for you and your betta

 

[Baccus]

I have been looking at the pictures and all though I have not come across that sort of illness before to me it looks like a fluid filled cyst. Do you have any decent vets near you that might be willing to attempt inserting a small needle into the lump and see if they can draw out any fluid that they can then do a smear slide of and check it out under a microsope just incase it's more of a parasite than a baterical infection.

He may also be having issues with his swim bladder more than his stomach.

Really sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[Wildcard3693]

Thanks, I'll ask around about that. what do u think I should do about his swim bladder. any recommendations for treatment?

 

[Baccus]

There are some treatment for swim bladder, I'll need to double check. I found something earlier online about swim bladders and possible treatments but for the life of me I can't find the same page again. I know there are some sites that have online fish vets and they might be able to better help you.

Best of luck

 

[-FighterFishh]

Try getting him to eat some cooked, de-shelled peas (chopped up so they aren't too big). This is supposedly really good for swim bladder problems, so it's worth a try

 

[Wildcard3693]

Tried that, he wasn't interested it

 

[Better is Betta]

Tried that, he wasn't interested it

Your poor little guy ...I hope you can get him on the mend. Good luck

 

[Baccus]

If your fighter is still hanging in there, will it take any live food? I know of some places that have bloodworms etc infused with garlic and it is supposed to be an appitite stimulant. Really hope you can beat this illness.

 

[Wildcard3693]

He ate a few flakes of food yesterday (he was in a small container at the time so he didn't have to move far) He just seems very lazy now, only swimming to the surface when he needs to. All the time the swelling seems to be increasing. It's been 2 weeks with no improvement, I'm starting to think

He ate a few flakes of food yesterday (he was in a small container at the time so he didn't have to move far) He just seems very lazy now, only swimming to the surface when he needs to. All the time the swelling seems to be increasing. It's been 2 weeks with no improvement, I'm starting to think that I should put him to sleep (using clove oil)

Strange double post there, don't know what happened... stupid fone

 

[Baccus]

If you haven't decided to euthinase yet, would you be willing to try one more treatment? If so I would try a broad spectrum medication, one that hits bacterial, fungal and parasitic diseases, some of these treatments can be be pretty strong, but I am sure if you read all the instructions on the various bottles of medication you will make your own decision on what you would be willilng to try. Also you said that he tried some flakes, is he willing to take any life food? Such as defrosted blood worms, or even mosquito wrigglers if you can get any? You could also try feeding him some raw prawn cut up small enough for him to be able to eat, and to try and really tempt him get some garlic scent on the prawn. My fish all go nuts over garlic and seem to really enjoy it.

Hope this gives you some help.

If you still feel that euthinasia is best, then I would do it for the fishes sake, it is just a shame that we don't know what is ailing your poor fighter.
Please keep us updated on any developments.

 

[Wildcard3693]

He's in pretty bad shape at the moment. A friend of a friend who's a vet took a look at him and he thinks its a tumour I'm gonna wait till the morning and if he doesn't look any better then I'm gonna have to put him to sleep. He's barely moving and coming to the surface is starting to become a struggle. I was goin to do it before but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I've only had him 10th months but I've got quite attached to him. Poor Sepiroth

 

[Baccus]

I agree poor Sepiroth

 

[LeiLana80]

I'm very sorry to hear about your betta I have a very similar situation going on right now. Back in Feb my betta Calculon started getting a small bulge in his side. Today it is ridiculously large and very awful looking. I have no idea what it is... I also am contemplating euthanasia. Good luck to you.
Btw, if you are interested in pictures of my guys side, head over to the thread titled "bubble on side of betta".

 

[Wildcard3693]

I had to put seperoth down over the weekend. He was getting worse and it didn't seem fair to keep him in that state. A huge thanks to everyone who tried to help, it was appreciated. I hope you have better luck with calculon.