Hey Nerms,
Aquarium Parameter information
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: Between 20 and 40 ppm
Temperature: 80
Tank size: 5 Gallons
Water changes: 50% once per week
Relatively heavily planted, dosing Easy Green, K, and Trace twice per week
So here's the situation:
For a reason I didn't know at the time, all of a sudden fin rot appeared on my betta’s tail, pinholes that quickly resulted in tears. So I did the Coop-recommended treatment of Ich-X and Maracyn for 7 days. In the middle of this treatment, I did a casual strip test for Nitrates which also tests Nitrites, and was shocked to see Nitrite!! I got my liquid tests out and confirmed there was 0 Ammonia but 2ppm of Nitrite. Now I am realizing that the fin rot probably set in because the poor guy was living in Ammonia and Nitrite-ridden water without any Prime to detoxify the Ammonia while the cycle re-established (ugh!). So since that treatment was still going on, I dosed 4X Prime to detoxify the Nitrite, daily, so any further infection coming from the Nitrite exposure wouldn't happen, and so that the treatment could run for the 7 days. The tank is now completely re-cycled (cycle crashed because the filter pump broke and I didn’t realize it for a few days), however I still do daily tests to make sure. Now shortly after realizing the Nitrite was there, I also noticed another, more troubling thing going on. On my betta's left side, there appears to be a lump. It is right behind the stomach, and only on that left side. there is no open wound at all; it seems that something is swollen on the inside and pushing out. I am just at a loss for what this is, and I figure it can't be anything good. Looking at some betta anatomy photos, it appears to be right over the kidney which has me wondering whether this is perhaps a very early sign of dropsy, perhaps even a tumor?
After the 7 days were over and a 60% water change, the fin rot hadn't progressed, but also hadn't gotten much better. So I decided to do a full round of Maracyn for the 5-day treatment (according to the instructions on the box) to really kick the fin rot in the butt. So far I am seeing most of the fin rot go away, and healing is already happening. But at this point my main concern is this lump. I have scoured the rest of the internet and can't find anything similar enough, so I figured it was time to get some Nerm input!
The lump hasn't gotten any bigger or smaller since I noticed it. I also want to emphasize that my betta's behavior and eating habits have not changed at all throughout all this recent turmoil. Still very active and very eager for his food in the evening.
i wanted to provide this background of what has happened recently with the poor water quality and fin rot in case this has something to do with this lump appearing. What is this lump???
Please see these images below, the last one I posted is of him before any damage and fin rot to his beautiful tail, so you can see just how much that fin rot very quickly deteriorated his tail. LESSON LEARNED with that pump! I tried to get some good top view photos as well. Please let me know if additional photos are needed!
Thanks for your help Nerms!
