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Betta with a tumor?


Annajak
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I'm not sure what to do about this growth on his fin. I bought him 6 months ago and it just slowly keeps getting bigger. His appetite is fine and he swims around actively. My main question is, is it actually a tumor and is there anything I can do about it? I just worry if it gets to a size where it might affect his swimming and long term health. He is a chain store betta so I know he probably doesn't have the best genetics and I've heard bettas get tumors often. 

He lives with a nerite snail in a 5 gallon with a sponge filter and plants. His name is Strahd. I've only been keeping fish for about a year.

Ph: 7.2

Nitrates: 0

Gh: 300

Nitrite: 0

Kh: 80

Temp: 78 f

 

 

20210605_181332.jpg

Edited by Annajak
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Looks like an invasive growth or tumor treatment wise only thing I could recommend is haveing it surgical removed by a fish vet if he get worse and he suffering you might have to consider euthanizeing him

Edited by Colu
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Yeah, I figured that was the case. Hopefully it won't get to the point where I have to euthanize him. I'm afraid that it will spread internally, and I'll have to make that choice. As someone who hasn't lost a fish yet (knock on wood), the idea of having to put one down really sucks. But I guess thats part of the hobby. 

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I'm not a vet or even too well versed in Betta illnesses.  While it's concerning that there's so many lumps in such a small area,  the good news is that they look pretty transparent as if they're fluid filled cysts rather than solid tumorous masses.   I'm with @Colu that removal by a fish specialist would be best...but I wonder if the cysts aren't a response to some sort of parasite or bacteriological irritation and treatment with salt (to reduce the fluid retention) and something like Paraguard (as a topical anti-septic/anti parasitic) might give some relief and show some improvement.  @Colu or other Betta experts- thoughts?

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@AnnajakHi,  I had a betta with lymphocystitis.  I will say in advance that I am not an expert but I did gain a lot of knowledge on this on a betta fish forum and through my own research.

 

Anyway, the tumors he developed, some quite big, did dissolve or burst themselves without issue.  It was not a pleasant thing to see but it did resolve itself on his own.  If you do not use Indian almond leaves I would highly suggest ordering some.  You can boil them in dechlorinated water to make a strong tea, you need it the color or bourbon, add this to the water so that the tank water is a brown color.  Also remove any carbon if you have it in your filter.  This will remove meds and the tannins from the leaves.  Also float  a leaf in his tank.  The salt treatment is also worth trying.  I used aquarium salt and not epsom but I do know epson can be used.  You might want to up your water changes as well to keep his water really clean to prevent infection if it bursts.
 

Unfortunately my betta eventually did develop a very large tumor on his head that eventually burst and he succumbed to the injury and passed.  I don’t say this to discourage you because I know tumors are common in bettas and they function just fine with them.    
 

Try the Indian almond leaf tea.  It has many antibacterial and anti fungal properties that at the very least may prevent infection and offer him comfort.  I would also recommend removing anything sharp in his tank that might disrupt the tumor too early, if there are any.  Just in case.  
 

I wish you both luck.  He’s a beautiful boy!

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@AnnajakOne more thing, watch for any fuzz that may develop on the tumor.  This would indicate a fungal infection.  For this along with the IAL tea I would recommend using a methylene blue dip.  I know Kordon’s sells it.  
 

like I noted before, I’m not an expert and others on the forum might have a better treatment idea.  If a fungus develops there are medication options like Fungus Cure I think it’s made by API.  I will keep an eye on his progress.  Again, best of luck.  I understand how stressful it is.  Take care.  
 

 

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@Lauren A   Thanks for all the advice, I do have some Indian almond leaves in there, Ill try a little aquarium salt.  If that doesnt help I'll try the Epsom salt. I'll definitly up the water changes too. Is it better to do a bath/ dip in another container with the aquarium salt or just put it in his tank? 

 

Edited by Annajak
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@Lauren A the aquarium salt seems to be working, I only used .5 tbsp and overnight a lot of the fluid seems to have dissipated. I'm going to watch him for another day and maybe add another .5 tbsp. I just got some new plants so wanted to ease in the salt. I haven't had time to make the IAL tea yet but I'm going to try to later today.  Its hard to see from the picture but the cysts(?) Or whatever are much smaller. 

20210614_165531.jpg

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Hi @Annajak,  They really did shrink a lot.   I‘m so happy he’s responding so well to the salt treatment.  
 

I feel bad but I’m not sure about the snails and the tea.  That’s such a good question and I wish I knew the answer.  He’s really improved a lot.  How is he acting?  

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He's actually acting a lot more active so far and his appetite is still normal.   I'm actually making the IAL tea as I type this, and no worries I think I'll move my nerite anyway just in case. Again thank you so much for your (and everyone's) advice, I was really worried I wouldn't be able to help him. 

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So, I do the same thing, only I also add in this mix of tannins I made last year when boiling Mopani wood to put in the tank. I kept that tank dark most of the time Jet was in it, and both the nerites and Neo Carodinia shrimp did just fine in it. I did it because he was SUPER sick when I got him, but I kept doing it because....why not? He seemed to like the dark water more anyway.

SUPER glad to hear it's doing better and the cysts/tumors are shrinking!

Edited by RogueAquarium
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On 6/15/2021 at 2:56 AM, Annajak said:

He's actually acting a lot more active so far and his appetite is still normal.   I'm actually making the IAL tea as I type this, and no worries I think I'll move my nerite anyway just in case. Again thank you so much for your (and everyone's) advice, I was really worried I wouldn't be able to help him. 

Hi @Annajak Hi, I’m sorry I was not on here for a couple days.  I wanted to check in to see how he is feeling.  Did the tea or tannins go okay?  How are the snails?  

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@AnnajakWhen Yogi had the tumors I always worried about his immune system.  There is a product that was recommended to me that has a ton of vitamins and antioxidants in it.  It’s called Vita Chem by Boyd Enterprises.  I do not use it all the time but you definitely can.  I might even start using it on Buddy’s tank.  They sell it on Amazon and Chewy.  It’s worth trying to give him immune system a boost.  Just a thought.  This is what it looks like if you want to look into it.  Here’s the link.  
 

 

https://www.chewy.com/boyd-vita-chem-freshwater-formula/dp/183213?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=Boyd&utm_term=&gclid=CjwKCAjwwqaGBhBKEiwAMk-FtKpqGMS2c8qyo7HYsMcmy8G3iOIzqbcqq-z94V_ShDwQY753dwifhhoC6ncQAvD_BwE

 

Edited by Lauren A
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@AnnajakSprry for all of the messages but there’s another additive called Kordon’s Fish Protector that would be even better.  It contains echinacea and vitamin B12 and it speeds up healing time excellently for fin rot and I’m sure would work great in your situation too.  it also reduces fish stress.  Here’s a pic.  It’s a great product.  I really hope he’s doing well.  860752E6-E610-41FD-993C-9B438698BE66.jpeg.be56ca59994ae0f9d5304e32e7cf3081.jpeg


 

 

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@Lauren A @NanoNano Sorry, I meant to update Friday but life got in the way, as it does, lol. Thursday, I put in another .5 tbsp of salt and some IAL tea. The water is now a light/medium brown. The cysts seemed to shrink even more and my nerite seems to be fine so far with the tannins (although I haven't done a ph test yet). There are still cysts, so I might keep the salt in there for a while, but he's definitely improving. And no signs of fungus or other infections so I think the tea is taking care of that. He seems even more hungry than usual, and he seems to move around with more ease. My plants seem to be fine (pearl weed, salvinia, buce, and crypt) Salt is really amazing.

20210619_213245.jpg

Edited by Annajak
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@AnnajakHi!  Oh my goodness, no worries.  I’ve been crazy busy myself so I totally understand.  I’m so happy to hear he’s improving every day.  The IAL tea is so great for him especially to prevent infection plus it’s so calming for bettas.  
 

I see a huge improvement with the tumors.  They’ve really shrunk down a lot since the first photo you posted.  I really feel confident he’s going to continue to progress.  You obviously are taking excellent care of him!  
 

Well, I’m thinking of you both and keeping my fingers crossed that he continues to improve. I know how stressful it is to care for a sick pet.  You’re doing an amazing job.    

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  • 3 months later...

@Lauren A sorry I haven't checked in in a while, he is doing great. He still has some cysts but they are much smaller and not growing anymore. I ended up doing 2 rounds of salt. (Water changed the salt out completely inbetween). His name is Strahd (its a Dungeons and dragons reference lol 😆

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