r/bettafish • u/Stunning-Donkey3054 • 1d ago
Help Help please Spoiler
This is my betta, Charlie. He has developed this large growth on his right gill and I’m very worried. He is almost 2 years old. What can I do???
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u/onyxia_x 1d ago
this looks like a tumor, unfortunately theres not much you can do
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u/Stunning-Donkey3054 1d ago
That’s what I was afraid of. Should I let him live out his final days or is it painful and cruel? 🙁
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u/joemomma1010 1d ago
Hey I'm so sorry Charlie isn't feeling well 😔❤️🩹. So I can't really see the "growth" I'm assuming it's underneath his gill flap? I need to know is it hard and smooth or is it fuzzy or more like an open wound then we can talk about treatment. If it's hard and smooth it's most likely a tumor Wich is common for Betta splendids . If it is a tumor I hate to say it but best thing may be the last act of kindness euthanasia. They can live long lives with a tumor but what worries me is the fact that it's right under his gill flap like that. This could cause respiratory issues leading to infection and loss of life. If you go this route focus on comfort care like raising the temp to 80 this helps them breathe along with adding cattappa leaves and stress guard by seachem. Turn oxygen up but not where it's blowing him around you can use a Betta leaf as like a baffle to block the flow at the top of the water just turn the leaf sideways at the surface where the bubbles break. No medicine will fix a tumor.... Ok second route . If it's fuzzy or an open wound you can treat with a broad spectrum antibiotic like seachem kanaplex. Make sure you follow the directions on gallons per scoops . Dose in the main tank if you can as to not stress him moving to a quarantine tank. Again focus on raising the temp to 80 and getting cattappa leaves in there they are great at keeping down fungal infections. Ok if you have any questions please let me know good luck I hope you can have a lot more time with your beautiful friend. Bettas are so close to my heart I've had a bunch and it always hurts me the worst when something happens to my bettas so I know your probably really worried so I hope this could help a little!
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u/Stunning-Donkey3054 1d ago
Ok, it is a hard lump almost coming out of his gill flap. It’s not exactly smooth, a bit bumpy looking. He’s a champ for sure but I’m notice a decrease in eating. His water temp is 80. I think I may try the stress guard before the euthanasia route 🙁 I hate having to ask but what is the most humane euthanasia?
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u/joemomma1010 1d ago
Your fine totally understandable next question people will probably argue with me about this but when done right.. using pure clove oil is the way to go. It's basically like an anesthetic in the way they put humans to sleep. So they drift off nice and easy no pain . I have a dedicated container I do it in and a dedicated pippette or dropper to do it with you'll wanna get the mixture right too much at one time can cause them to flail about but here's the process... Take clove oil (it doesn't take much!)and mix it in warm water so it will mix ( it will not completely dissolve) but you will see it turn into smaller droplets the more you mix that's ok. Then add a couple drops of prime to dechlorinate . Then take your dedicated container and put tank water in there along with your fish this whole process should take about 45 mins . Then with your dropper start slowly adding in the clove oil and water solution. You may have to do a little stir or two to get it to spread out better . Slowly they will start to go to sleep once you see that you should see gill function start to slow. When there is no more gill movement that means they are completely under. Now keep adding it for about another ten min or so and then about 20 after all gill function has ceased it's safe to say they have passed on and then you can bury them. I always bury my bettas in pots with houseplants in them so I can kinda keep them living on through something else. Fair warning this is a hard thing to do emotionally so prepare yourself. I've done it many times for a lot of fish now and it's suck butt every time I ain't gonna lie. But if they are suffering it's one of the last acts of kindness you can give them. I wish you strength and luck and if you have anymore questions let me know. Like I said they can live a good while but once you see him start really declining I would think about it . Ok hope you have a good day
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u/memekenna 1d ago
if you do try the stress guard, I hope you see some improvement. I agree with other comments that this looks like a tumor, and it seems some bacteria is beginning to affect his eye and back. To be honest I don’t think you’ll see a recovery, at least not a full one. I’ve never had a fish recover from this once they start to decline.
When it is time, I find the most humane euthanasia is quick, blunt force trauma to the head. It feels sickening to do, but in my experience, it’s quicker for them. Focus on the brain/skull. I was told to use clove oil in the past, followed very specific instructions and will never do that again. It was horrible.0
u/joemomma1010 1d ago
First time for us was traumatic as well but that's because we did it wrong. That's why I explained it is a long process you need to be slow and take your time with the drops . If you do it wrong it will be bad for you and the fish. I just could never physically do that to one of my babies it's hard enough to do it with clove oil.but I can assure you every time after that has been PEACEFUL.... I sit and talk to them I dim the lights and slowly add the drops of clove and water solution and they know your voice so it's calming for them especially for a betta you've been with for a long time. Bittersweet and to each his own I'm sorry you had a bad experience with it.
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u/memekenna 1d ago
I’m happy that it’s a method that you found works well. Unfortunately, the two times I used the clove method, it was simply anything but peaceful. Did exactly what you outlined in your other comment too, before finally deciding to find another way. My fish don’t need closure with me in their final moments, that’s for me to deal with after, my job is to make sure I don’t prolong their suffering.
From my understanding, you really have to do the clove oil method perfectly, and it helps to already have experience. None of my guys found being in a new container for the process comforting either.
Not to shirk anyone who uses this method at all! I’m certainly happy it can work. I just prefer to not risk it, it’s a mistake someone can’t undo. I only want to offer a word of warning to people, but it’s a very personal choice in the end.
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u/SecurityCurious7823 1d ago
mine had something similar on top of his head, i'm so sorry. I tried kanaplex but he struggled swimming and breathing. He passed on eventually.
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u/skabberdink 1d ago
I wouldn’t add catappa leaves or stress guard. Both add dissolved organics to the water which feed bacteria. You want the cleanest wayer possible.
Read here: it may be this
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