Could It Be Dropsy?

[Noana]

I've had my betta now for 4 months, and he's been doing well. He's in a 1 gallon tank, and I change the water each week. However, I've noticed that near his tail, it looks like there is a bubble inside of it. It's starting to swell. Is this the beginning of dropsy? There's nothing that can be done, right? I just noticed it today, and I changed his water. If it's fatal, I want to be prepared.

 

[Durbkat]

Nope not dropsy, dropsy is when the scales on the fish stick out like a pinecone. It might be a baterial infection, does he eat,swim, and act normal?

 

[Noana]

Yes, he's eating, swimming, and acting normal.

 

[willtang3000]

is it a kind of lump really close to the tail but its the same colour as the rest of the body and no poking out scales

 

[Noana]

is it a kind of lump really close to the tail but its the same colour as the rest of the body and no poking out scales

That's exactly how it looks. The lump is protruding on both sides of his little tail.

 

[willtang3000]

yer thats nothing every betta has it most people just don't examine enough well I think so anyway I think they get it when they get old how old is yours

 

[WILDER]

http/www.fishpalace.org/danscomments.html#Lump

 

[Durbkat]

I don't believe thats true willtang3000 because I have 3 adult male bettas at least a year old and they don't have it at all.

 

[willtang3000]

well my oldest bettas have them and they have been bred with the lump and there fry turnout fine and healthy and so are the adults fine so I don't no

 

[Noana]

Thanks for the link, Wilder. Willtang, I don't know how old he is. I bought him 4 months ago from a pet shop. The lump doesn't seem to be getting any larger, so I hope it's just nothing.

 

[platyfreek]

all my bettas have had that since i bought them. (my neighbor's has too ) together we have about 20 bettas.