Betta black spot

[threshershark]

As mentioned on my profile I work at a Pet Supermarket — we have this beautiful betta male in with a large, raised, black spot on his head.

I have done research but I can’t figure out exactly what it is. I want to take him home and attempt to treat him, but I want to find out exactly what it is first. Whether its a tumor or black spot disease you know?

If you have any idea what this is please let me know! And if you know of any effective methods to treating it or if it’s just not possible.

 

[Andy Sager]

Bettas with Marble or Dragonscale genes in their lineage are more prone to physical tumors and pigment cell tumors called chromatophoromas. This fish looks like it's got marbled genes so the chromatophoroma is more likely on this fish and it's not treatable. Between this fish and your other one with a tumor, I'd tell your boss they need to get another Betta source so you get different better lines to sell.

 

[threshershark]

Bettas with Marble or Dragonscale genes in their lineage are more prone to physical tumors and pigment cell tumors called chromatophoromas. This fish looks like it's got marbled genes so the chromatophoroma is more likely on this fish and it's not treatable. Between this fish and your other one with a tumor, I'd tell your boss they need to get another Betta source so you get different better lines to sell.

Yeah I figured it was something along those lines unfortunately. He is marked as a pure half moon, is there anything possibility it could be anything else? Or is looking like the only possibility?

 

[Andy Sager]

Yeah I figured it was something along those lines unfortunately. He is marked as a pure half moon, is there anything possibility it could be anything else? Or is looking like the only possibility?

It looks like no external parasite I've ever seen ( and I've seen a lot ), no disease I've seen that would be black and swollen ( black yes, swollen yes, both together no ) that is treatable. The term " half moon" applies to the size and shape of the tail but has nothing to do with the fish's genetics and it's in the genetics that this issue begins. With all that said, This could just be " normal" coloration coming through ( remember, Betta scales have 3 layers so their color can change as the fish grows), an injury or burn that could heal or just the scales piling on top of each other so unless the fish is suffering and not eating or swimming around, I would just let it be, make sure you have a good clean setup for him and see if it " heals" or enlarges or shrinks. Not all tumors are a death sentence. They are just unsightly. :^/