How to Deal With Beta Fish Tumors
Fish tumors are tumors that develop in the fins of the fish. This can be a very dangerous type of tumor,because it can grow large enough to become an obstruction for the swim bladder. Swim bladders are the organ that cleansing oxygen from the body,and when this happens,the fish risks drowning and damage to other organs can occur. The type of fish tumor can change from one fish to another depending on what kind of fish is involved. The risk of developing this kind of tumor increases with age because the fish has a decreased ability to filter toxins out of its body.
The best way to prevent beta fish tumors is by never keeping any fish with a history of these tumors. However,if you already have two or more beta fish in your pond then you need to get rid of them as soon as possible. Tumors that are malignant tend to spread and can even cause death. Malignant tumors in any fish should be taken to a veterinarian right away for proper care.
If you have one or more beta fish tumors,there are some things that you can do to help prevent the growth of the tissue. Treatment options depend on the size of the fish. Larger fish tend to be more difficult to treat and treatment options will generally be more expensive. A lot of time,it takes just a few months before you can get your fish back into the water. Fish with large tumors can usually only be put back after surgery.
Treatment options for beta fish tumors range from very effective to not effective. Tumors that are not very large will usually dissolve within a month or two. If the tumors are very large then it will usually take six months to a year before you can get them removed surgically. However,once removed they can potentially live for ten years in a pond full of oxygen.
If your fish is showing signs of weakness,loss of appetite,decreased ability to fight off disease,changes in the appearance of the gills,and swim bladder dysfunction then your fish may be at risk of tumors. If you suspect that your fish is sick or dying then get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Tumors rarely disappear on their own. They will usually grow in size over the next couple months before they begin to cause physical problems. You should consider removing your fish from the water if a tumor is growing significantly larger than the size of the fish.
Treatment options vary depending on the type of tumor you are dealing with. Larger tumors are often treated by cutting the fish into two pieces and putting each piece through a surgical gauntlet. This cuts the air sacs and causes the blood flow to increase. This will usually cause the tumor to shrink. Surgery is not guaranteed to prevent the growth of additional tumors in future fish,but it will greatly improve the odds of future fish disease.
If you suspect that your fish is suffering from a tumor due to an infection (bacterial or fungal),then there are a couple of treatments you can try. These treatments include giving your fish a course of antibiotics,which should help to clear up the bacterial infection. The advantage of this treatment is that it is quick and easy. If you notice that the tumors are coming back or the fish is exhibiting other symptoms of an infection then you should consider hospitalizing your fish until you can get to them.
Treatment of beta fish tumors should be done carefully because any mistake in surgery could cause permanent damage to the lobe or fin. In particular,a tympanic liposuction could cause internal bleeding,internal swelling and scarring. Careful removal techniques should also be used. You can minimize the likelihood of having to do surgery by keeping your fish as calm and relaxed as possible. A calm and relaxed fish is less likely to suffer from stress induced diseases.