I'm looking for advice on what to do about a deformity my betta has. I have had Blueberry for close to 2 years, and about 2 months ago, I noticed he has this odd bulge on the right side of his body. He was not deformed when I got him. I am not sure if its a spinal deformity or something with his swim bladder. Around the time this formed, I had taken Blueberry out of his tank, as I needed to move it to a new location. I was going on vacation with my fanily and moved his tank from my room to the kitchen counter, so our pet sitter wouldn't have to go in my room (i live with my parents). I can't help but worry if his spine broke or got hurt when he was flopping around in the net when I took Blueberry out of the tank.
My concern is this: lately he spends a lot more time at the bottom of the tank, though he swims just fine when he moves around, and lately Blueberry also seems to have trouble seeing his food. I am just wondering if anyone has any idea what this could be and if it can be treated. If this can't be treated, at what point do I euthanize? I hate the thought of losing Blueberry but I don't want him to be in pain, and if that means putting him down before it gets worse, I'd do anything to make sure he doesn't suffer.
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1kseeeh
Posted by ReadyForTheFall0217
1 Comment
It is more than likely an internal growth/tumor rather than a deformity, which would have been present much sooner than 2 months ago. My personal philosophy is that if the fish is still accepting food and isn’t obviously suffering, then there’s no need to euthanize. Things like dropsy, infectious diseases causing a serious decline in health & physical ability, and complete refusal to eat after all of these things have been given attempted treatment, would be cause for euthanasia.
If this were my fish, I would simply continue giving him a comfortable life for now. 2 years is honestly within the realm of the average lifespan for a betta at this point, and it seems like he’s had a good run so far. If his quality of life begins to go downhill, that would be cause to reconsider other measures.