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

 

[Wildcard3693]

a more recent pic below

 

[fuzzynicki]

oh poor thing I've never seen anything like it I'm afraid. My advice to you would be to put this thread in the betta splendens section rather than the non-betta splendens. There are several very knowledgeable betta owners that are on that forum daily. You will get a lot more replies on there I'm sure. I hope that someone can give you a diagnosis and treatment solution for your boy.

 

[Wildcard3693]

Thanks for your input. I've put it in the other forum too. Hoping that way someone may know something. Unfortunately, no one seems to know what's wrong or their telling me he's too far gone. I'm dreading the fact I may have to "pull the plug" on him (humanly of course)

 

[fuzzynicki]

Thanks for your input. I've put it in the other forum too. Hoping that way someone may know something. Unfortunately, no one seems to know what's wrong or their telling me he's too far gone. I'm dreading the fact I may have to "pull the plug" on him (humanly of course)

 

[loraxchick]

To me it is one of 2 things-severe constipation with a "blockage" or a tumor like cyst. Have you tried feeding peas and starving for a few days? might help if its constipation. Epsom salt dips (one tablespoon per gal-leave him in the mixture for up to 30 mins 2x a day). if it is constipation will help draw fluid out of tissues and help him poo. just make sure it is EPSOM salt(very easily and cheaply found at the pharmacy ro other place they sell over the counter human meds-people use epsom for sore feet/muscles) and not aquarium salt which may make it worse.
Any other symptoms? Is he lathargic and disinterested in food? How much do you feed, what type of food and how often? Any flicking or rubbing or spitting food out? Hiding in the tank? difficulty swimming or maintaining balance?
If a cyst, nothing you can do-may or may not be terminal for the fish. If constipation can hopefully sort itself out with treatment and managing food intake, but im afraid severe cases might be too much damage done. Pics were helpful so thanks for those!
let us know!
All the best!
cheers

 

[Wildcard3693]

Symptoms haven't changed much since my original post. Although his swimming ability is worse than it was due the swelling (which seems to have increased a bit). He's in an epsom salt bath at the mo, I dropped a few flakes in which he ate with no hassle (just to see if he was still interested) I'm wondering if I should put him to sleep because I'm worried that this lump will just keep getting bigger then burst. It's been 2 weeks with no improvement

 

[Meggie :)]

it might be something totally different but i had a guppy that got really bloated. a few days later he was no longer bloated but he had a lump on his side. it almost looked like a bubble because the skin covering it was so stretched. It looked a lot like the lump on your betta. A few days later later his intestines broke through that lump/bubble and he died a few days later. I was told it was tapeworm. If you haven't already, maybe try treating your betta with a medicine for internal parasites. It's worth a shot... I'm sorry about your betta.. thats never any fun

Hope this helps...

 

[tatuny]

if its constipation is it mean to try squeezeing the poo out?