How to treat Betta fish tumors

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coraluxe
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 2:42 pm

How to treat Betta fish tumors

Post by coraluxe »

I noticed a small lump on my betta's side a few days ago. It's not getting bigger, but I'm worried it might be a tumor. Has anyone dealt with this before? I've got him in a 5-gallon tank, heated to 78°F, with a sponge filter. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 nitrate. He's still eating and acting normal, but I don't wanna wait until it's too late.
sailboy82
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 8:39 pm

Re: How to treat Betta fish tumors

Post by sailboy82 »

Tumors in bettas can be tricky. If it's not affecting his behavior or appetite, it might be benign. I'd keep an eye on it and maybe add some Indian almond leaves to help with any stress. What's his diet like? Sometimes boosting vitamins can help.
giggle
Posts: 19
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:03 pm

Re: How to treat Betta fish tumors

Post by giggle »

I've seen this a few times. If it's a tumor, there's not much you can do surgically at home. Focus on keeping the water pristine and stress low. Maybe bump the temp to 80°F to boost his immune system. Also, avoid overfeeding—extra waste can mess with water quality.
muffin12
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2024 2:42 am

Re: How to treat Betta fish tumors

Post by muffin12 »

yo, my betta had a weird bump last year. vet said it was prolly genetic. just kept his tank clean and he lived for like another year. chill fish, just ate and swam like normal. dunno if that helps but yeah.
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Finny
Posts: 63
Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2022 9:41 pm

Re: How to treat Betta fish tumors

Post by Finny »

sailboy82 wrote: Fri Aug 08, 2025 10:08 am Tumors in bettas can be tricky. If it's not affecting his behavior or appetite, it might be benign. I'd keep an eye on it and maybe add some Indian almond leaves to help with any stress. What's his diet like? Sometimes boosting vitamins can help.
Yep, agree with this. I'd also recommend adding a bit of aquarium salt—just a teaspoon per gallon. Helps with overall health. My boy had a lump and lived happily for ages with just basic care.
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zenflux
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 2:18 am

Re: How to treat Betta fish tumors

Post by zenflux »

Tumors? Sounds sketchy. Maybe it's just a weird vibe from the water. Have you tried changing the decor? Sometimes they get stressed from too much stuff in the tank. Or maybe it's just a fat betta. Ever think of that?
jazster
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:32 pm

Re: How to treat Betta fish tumors

Post by jazster »

nah, tumors are a real thing, man. my cousin's betta had one and it got huge. vet said nuthin' to do but keep him comfy. he lasted a while tho. just keep the water good and don't stress him out.
tender
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:39 pm

Re: How to treat Betta fish tumors

Post by tender »

i don't know much about tumors, but i hope your fish gets better. maybe try smaller water changes more often. like 10% every few days. less shock for him.
coraluxe
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 2:42 pm

Re: How to treat Betta fish tumors

Post by coraluxe »

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try the Indian almond leaves and bump the temp a bit. He's on a mix of pellets and frozen bloodworms, so diet's pretty solid. Fingers crossed it stays benign.
giggle
Posts: 19
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:03 pm

Re: How to treat Betta fish tumors

Post by giggle »

muffin12 wrote: Fri Aug 08, 2025 12:21 pm yo, my betta had a weird bump last year. vet said it was prolly genetic. just kept his tank clean and he lived for like another year. chill fish, just ate and swam like normal. dunno if that helps but yeah.
Genetic tumors are common in bettas, especially from poor breeding. If it's not causing issues, just monitor it. But definitely avoid any drastic changes—stability is key.
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