My betta has had a small growth on his side for the last 6 months. A week ago, it grew larger (about the size of a pinky nail) and seems to have burst. Now there's all this white tissue flaking off of the growth. Inside there is a small red speck that looks like blood (the betta is blue so it really stands out), but he isnt bleeding. Since the growth burst, the betta has been acting a little lethargic, but he is eating fine.
His tank is kept at 80 degrees F. He did not have the growth when I bought him, but had it shortly after. Is it something in my water? I use regular well water in his tank. Or is there something I can do for him?
2007-02-11 15:55:04 · 7 answers · asked by climbingtrout 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
He's eating and that's always a good sign. At this point, he either survives this thing or he doesn't, but you should treat the wound to prevent infection and other diseases setting in. The best thing to use is salt. Don't use table salt. Use aquarium salt and the dose is about 1 tsp per 1 gallon of water. Take out some water from your aquarium and pre-mix the salt in that water. Slowly add the salt water back to the tank pouring it slowly right next to the filter so that the water flow will mix it around thoroughly. Turn up the heat slowly to about 82-84 degrees. While you're at it, you might just want to get a master test kit and check your ammonia, nitrites and nitrate readings. Healthy water will be one less stressful thing he has to deal with. Good luck and best wishes for your fishy!
2007-02-11 16:52:48 · answer #1 · answered by Venice Girl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That could have been from any nomber of causes, but the most likely is a tumor of some type due to the long period of time the fish had the growth and was not seriously affected by it. Really there is nothing you can do for him except try to keep him from getting a fungus infection as the wound heals. Very clean water and a bit of salt will help.
MM
2007-02-12 00:01:30 · answer #2 · answered by magicman116 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It might have something to do with the well water - there are a lot of metals in there that could be poisoning the fish. Try replacing the water with water filtered by reverse osmosis (also referred to as "RO water"). You can by gallon jugs at the grocery store for about eighty cents, just make sure to read the label so you don't get distilled or spring water or something, there should be some small print that says "filtered by reverse osmosis" or something like that.
It might be too late for this fish though.
2007-02-12 00:01:53 · answer #3 · answered by CHBN 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
all fish can get tumors and growths -- yours sounds especially odd because the he seems ok. usually they are benign and don't do anything. i think i would be a little more weird than everyone else and do a maracyn and maracyn2 treatment just to make sure no bacteria set in. the little guy made it this far i don't think you would want to lose him now.
maracyn and maracyn2 are a gram positive and gram negative antibiotic. when used in combination they take care of most bacterial infections. there are some that are both in one but they are hard to find for some reason.
2007-02-12 03:19:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take him to the betta vet.
2007-02-12 00:00:35 · answer #5 · answered by Tenn Gal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Drown it!!! LOL I havn't a clue but I couldn't pass up the offer to laugh!!!
2007-02-11 23:58:25 · answer #6 · answered by Tori L 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I believe he might have dropsy you really should see the vet or search about dropsy I believe salt water helps but search and verify before anything. Best of luck
2007-02-11 23:58:04 · answer #7 · answered by noxmoreliesx 1 · 0⤊ 5⤋