Swelling

[catxx]

well it's either a swelling or a tumour

i can't get a photo of it, he moves too much and doesn't like to show me that side of him much.

it's on his side, behind where his tummy gets podgy when he pigs out
a lump about half a cm wide, under his scales, the scales are not sticking out and there is no redness or soreness or wounds around it. it doesnt go the full height of him, it reaches about half way up his body.

any idea?? i don't THINK it's growing, i noticed it about a week or so ago and have been keeping an eye on him.

(it's bruce in the pic below)
he's in a 7 gallon filtered tank on his own (well, with a teeny ramshorn snail)

 

[Durbkat]

Go to this web site, it could be the beginnings of dropsy since the pineconing of the body is usually the last stage of it. So scroll down to dropsy http/www.bettatalk.com/betta_diseases.htm

 

[WILDER]

Sadly it sounds like a tumour to me. Not the writer of this information.
Tumors



Symptoms:

Fishes with tumors have distended bodies or lumps on the skin. Unusual growths or swellings may occur in any part of the body. If they occur in internal organs they tend to cause firm, noticeable swelling to the general body shape. Tumors are usually confined to one area of the fish but they will continue to grow over time, weakening the fish until death occurs.



Cause:

A variety of environmental factors such as chemical pollution or severe viral infections. A predisposition to tumors may be inherited from a fish's parents.



Treatment:

There is no chemical remedy for this condition. Surgical removal of tumors can be attempted, but there is a high frequency of recurrence.

 

[happyannie]

My 1st Betta, Mr Wu, has one of those which has travelled into his other side now. I don't know if you've seen my postings about it in the Betta forum...?? Just don't want to repeat info if you've seen it. I noticed his in November. I put him on Maracyn and Maracyn2 eventually which seemed to help him gain some strength. I've done about everything a person could so really. He's a VT so is heavy with fins anyways then add in the tumor so he's a little sinker. I got a bunch of plants so he can brace himself, stay close to the top easier and can get around in them too as he scoots along the bottom to travel in his tank. I took the water level down to less than half as he panics when it's much higher. He's hungry ALL the time and snapping at everything like he thinks air bubbles are food. He's quit making bubblenests but oh well, he's alive. He seems happy in spite. I'm not sure how long he can go on enjoying his life...That remains to be seen. Both sides are becoming very swollen out. I feed him only flake food now as I wonder if the pellets are too hard to disgest at this point. Flake food also makes him move around a bit and flex his macho muscles. It's like having an oldster at your house that you have to creative and intuitive with. I love him so it's worth the effort. I couldn't see your photo in your posting for some reason....?? Good luck with your boy. !!! Keep us posted.
PS--I put him in an epsom salt bath for constipation and also put a very small amount in his tank too. You might try that ....Be sure to check the amounts you give tho. It didn't help Mr Wu but it might help yours.

 

[catxx]

yeah, i have come to the conclusion it IS a tumour and i'll just keep an eye on him. he has aquarium salt in his water, and so far is still an active swimmer. he has tall plants to rest on anyway if it comes to that.

he is starting to look a little skinny though despite still having a healthy appetite. worrying.

he is an old boy now though. we shall see.

 

[WILDER]

If he's losing weight sadly as you no that is not a good sign, bless him.

 

[happyannie]

Yup, ok then. A second bless him from me.

 

[love_fish]

A third bless him from me.

 

[happyannie]

How's Bruce doing? Have you decided for sure it's a tumor?

 

[catxx]

i'm pretty sure it is a tumour. it hasn't changed in size at all.
and he still has a very very healthy appetite and very active, loves to flare at me and is swimming fine.
he was happily jumping out the water at my finger for his pea last night.

i'm hoping to get him some oto friends for him sometime this week to help with his tank's severe brown algae problem.