White spot above eye

[denas]

My friend has a betta at work in a 1/2 gallon bowl that a plant sits in. She doesn't clean it as much as needed, but I check her water periodically and it is fine. This one is strange, because the fish has a small white growth right above the right eye. It started small, and increased in size to about twice the size of the eye ball. I added a piece of a penicillian pill and over the weekend, the white growth poped or so it seemed. It was still there, but it was flat now. Like popping a pimple. We stopped the treatment and the thing started growing again. We haven't tried the penicillian again, but did try other meds with no change. It is now about 3 times the size of the eye ball and when we put it into a net to change the water, it started bleeding from the tip. Is it possible that it is a tumor? He doesn't like to eat much and doesn't swim around much anymore either.

 

[Scarab]

I've never dealt with that particular problem. So I'm not sure. It sounds like it might be a tumor. Hopefully you'll get some good advice from some of the more experienced fish keepers here. I just didn't want you to think your question was being ignored.

 

[denas]

I appreciate it. Update: The white growth is now starting to open in the center and it looks like the edges of it are starting to peel off as if he is shedding it. It is getting really nasty looking.

 

[Angel Lady]

if it were me and the penicillian worked then I would be getting him back to the medicine that made a change in it also you could add a little salt to the water I hope he get better for you

 

[Kossy]

Yes I do hope he gets better. Do you think you could get a pic of him?

 

[denas]

I am still trying to figure out how to put pictures on here. Another girl in a different topic is going to help me with this.

 

[gadazobe]

It sounds like the betta may be suffering from Hole in the Head disease which is caused by an internal parasite and poor water conditions. Treatment is metronidazole (flagyl) 50 mg per 4.5 litres repeated aftre 3 days. Even if the water in your friends bowl SEEMS good, it still needs changing regularly - the smaller the tank, the more upkeep they need. Ammonia and nitrite might not be present, but do you check for nitrates? Even though nitrates are relatively harmless, long exposure to high quantities will eventually weaken the betta and make it suspectable to disease. Nitrates can only be reduced by water changes. BTW, if the nitrate level is high, don't reduce it drastically at once - do a few water changes over a period of a couple of weeks. The betta is already used to the high levels and immediate reduction will stress the fish even more. Hope this helps and he recovers. Keep us informed.

 

[Angel Lady]

I was just getting ready to tell you all that was hole in the head I have been doing a lot of research on fish and spent a lot of money on books I think that there isnt a diease that fresh water fish can get that I cant tell you guys about now

 

[Alien Anna]

It could be lymphocystis. This is rather like warts in humans, and is caused by a similar virus, but can cause quite large tumours in fish. It is basically caused by a lowering of the fish's immunity (such as water quality stress) and is not necessarily fatal in itself. However, it is an indication that your fish is not healthy and may be a secondary symptom of some other, more serious infection.

My betta had lymphocystis before he died. Ironically, the tumours were beginning to shrink and he looked an awful lot better, but then the heatwave hit and he died (of a swim bladder disorder). He originally became ill after some bogwood in his tank went rotten. I treated him with frequent water changes, top quality food (bloodworms) and Melafix, which all seemed to help but he was obviously ill from other things. Fish can get cancers etc., the same as humans, but it's almost impossible to diagnose.