What can I do for my betta with a tumor?

[steppy104]

Well, I thought that Sunset was just getting fat. But he's becoming larger and larger, and now he has a considerably large lump on his belly. It's larger on one side than the other.

I don't know what else it could be other than a tumor.

As far as I can tell, he doesn't even realise that it is there. He is swimming around like normal, flaring with the betta next door, keeping Split in his place, eating, everything he normally does.

I just don't know what to do....Or if theres anything I even can do.

My boyfriends female betta had something simular on her head, and she basically exploded. God, I hope that doesn't happen with sunset.

 

[WILDER]

Take a look here it might help.

http/www.fishjunkies.com/Disorders/lumps.php

 

[Tangerinefizz]

I just had this happen to my lil female betta Sara. Basically, I just made sure she was happy and had everything she wanted. I even let her eat all the guppy fry one day cause I knew it would make her happy! (there were only 5, I already have an over stocking issue with the guppies, I felt bad but I didn't at the same time, I've adopted a "if you can survive in the community tank, then you were meant to be" attitude with them now)

She didn't seem to be bothered by the tumour at all, but I kinda wondered if I should have euthanized her closer to the end but there really were no signs, she was swimming and eating like her normal self. I just came home and she was no longer with us.

Good luck with your fish.

 

[iron maiden fan]

my suggestion keep your fish happy until it starts acting strange or sick then the best you can do for it is give it a quick death.the best way is a quick cut behind the head making sure you completly cut the spinal cord if you think this sounds like a slow painful death your wrong because it is acually about as instant as you can get.

p.s really sorry about your fish

 

[steppy104]

So I just have to wait it out.

I looked at that website....Basically cures for dropsy....Sunset isn't pineconing or anything. Scales are smooth as ever.

I just couldn't kill him...I don't even know if he's hurting...Or if he notices it's there....I'd feel like I'm taking away from him if I did that. It'd make me feel terrible. *tear*

Thanks everyone.

-sigh- I really hope he isn't in pain.

 

[MissD]

On a more positive note, I had a similar thing happen and my betta is now recovered.

I couldn't figure out what the problem was, either - first I thought he was constipated from me changing his food, then I thought it was the beginnings of dropsy yet there was never any pineconing, then I thought it was a tumour. I posted on here and was advised to fast the fishie (not feed it for a few days) but, to be honest, didn't see any point in doing so as I'd already tried this with no success. Still, I gave it a shot and ended up not feeding my betta for 5 days, during which time the lump (whatever it was...) gradually shrunk right down and you can no longer tell it was there in the first place.

It's worth giving it a try, you never know...
Good luck!

 

[steppy104]

To tell the truth, he's not fed very much as it is....So I don't think it could be a food problem. I don't /think/.

He's been eating the same food for...I think a year or so now? I feed him extra sparingly.

Plus it'd be hard to fast him without bothering the other fish in the tank.

But say I did, how long could he go without starving? Eek. That'd be scary to starve my fish to death trying to save him.

 

[MissD]

Starving is what I was worried about too, but was told by a few people on here that my boy could easily go without food for a week. I slipped him the odd pellet during his fasting, but he didn't have an actual "meal" for the few days.

Maybe try fasting yours for a day or two and see if it helps any...?

 

[FishEnthusiast]

Bettas can live for a very long time without food. I had 4 bettas shipped to me from Texas, I am in Canada. It took 7 very long days, and they had been fasted before that, so they went about 8-9 days without food and survived.

I would suggest doing this to rule out the possibility of it being constipation. Since he is in a community tank, I would isolate him in a 1G or bigger bowl and try fasting him for a few days to see if it helps.

What are you feeding him and how much?

 

[iron maiden fan]

it can take up to 30 days for a betta to starve

 

[steppy104]

"I would suggest doing this to rule out the possibility of it being constipation. Since he is in a community tank, I would isolate him in a 1G or bigger bowl and try fasting him for a few days to see if it helps."

He'd hate me for sure if I did that.

Right now he's in a heated 10g. I don't have spare tanks, nor spare heaters. He'd be in a tiny, cold, environment. I know I'd hate me if I did that.

Last time I tried moving him somewhere he refused to do anything. He sat at the top of the water gasping for air. So I put him back where he belonged and he was fine. o_0

 

[iron maiden fan]

He'd hate me for sure if I did that

he'll hate you more if he dies

just put a divier in the tank or buy an extra large livebearer breeding trap

 

[SnowyzMom]

I hope your guy survives.


Just one thought if you ever have to put a fish down. If cutting the spinal cord is abit much for you...and it is for me, you can order Clove Oil from your local Pharmacy. It's an anaesthetic used to stop toothaches (a drop or two on a cotton swab bitten down on). ANYWAYS, enuf dentistry... A tiny bottle is like $5.

Keep a plastic drink cup separated as a "kill cup". If you have to euthanize anybody you can put a very few drops of clove oil into that cup plus abit of aquarium water and then put your fish in. Depending on how much clove oil you added, he will either go to sleep slowly or pretty much instantly. I prefer the faster. It seems painless and I'd rather they not suffer. Thankfully I have NOT had to use it often but it's been a merciful way to do the deed when needed.

Here's rooting for your guy to pull through!