What is wrong with my betta fish?

Question

Apparently our fish is a dark red mixed with signs of blue, he also has red fins. But a while ago he turned a slight dark orange? And not ony that but by his pectoral fin there's this huge bulb looking thing appearing and it's rough and almost looks like a patch of eggs beneath him. But they're the same color he is now. It's really weird and beginnning to worry. does anyone have any idea what is going on?

It even looks like his belly is swollen.

OKay, THank you so much for all the comments and help but we've figured what is wrong. By a site with all the diseases. OUR FISH HAS DROPSY. Another fact I forgot to mention was that his scales were raised. And his belly IS swollen. It has dropsy, and we're really sad, especially my sis. Let's hope that it might get better though...

Answer 1

First, are you positive this is a male? The "bulb" you're seeing is typical of an ovipositor that a female can get, but some males also get this characteristic - see the photo partway down this page: http://www.flippersandfins.net/faq.htm#malefemale If it's a female, she might actually be developing eggs, and that's why she appears swollen.

If it is a male, a swollen appearance can be caused by constipation (try not feeding him for a day, then give him a piece of a cooked pea with the shell removed - this provides a little extra fiber in his diet). If he's swimming in a "head down" position, this may be a problem with his air bladder (he's got a gas bubble that's making him float, as well as look swollen). This is usually a diet or water quality problem, although it can be caused by an internal bacterial infection. Give him a water change and soak his food for a minute in some water from his tank before feeding him. If this doesn't clear up the problem within two days, treat him with a medicated food, or broad-spectrum antibiotic. A final cause might be dropsy, in which case the scales will stand out like scales on a pine cone. This isn't so much of a disease it self, as an indication of one of several other problems - poor water quality, overmedicating, internal infection, kidney disease, or a tumor. See the named conditions in this link: http://www.fish-disease.net/diseases.htm for treatment and more info.

Answer 2

HHmmm well as for the color change. that one is hard to tell simply because sometimes color changes happen over time as many fish mature including bettas. I don't know how old you particular fish is so it hard to see in my minds eyes a problem that would cause a dark red betta to go orange besides and influx of yellow pigment on the skin. Which it could've gotten form genetics. This incoming color could have also cause this "colored bulb" on the pectoral fin. Normally I would think cyst but but normally it wouldn't be the same color as the fish. make sure you are watching in the feedings as he swells. If it's not food it could be a disease called dropsy. It can be cleared up with medication if caught early.

Answer 3

Hi...my daughter loves betta fish and we also have a book on them. You don't state if you have a male or female...but I bet it is a male. They have long flowing fins. Males don't have eggs...they blow air bubbles at the top of the water to keep eggs in ...even if a female isn't around. It sounds like your fish is dieing...like it has gotten hurt somehow and has a growth growing....We had a female that did that, but on the side fin and she soon died. There is no help for it and you will end up buying a new fish.

Answer 4

I do believe your fish has dorpsy. Call your pet store and they'll refer you to something that can help.

Answer 5

I'd go w/ what the other answer was , call a pet store & ask them , they might know

Answer 6

I don't know. Maybe your fish is pregant.