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Four weeks ago he had dropsy and had recovered, and now this.

He seemes to paralyzed from the dorsal fin back. He can't move his tail or his back at all, and is getting around the tank simply by surfing the currents from the filter.He is staying at the top of the tank, and is getting air okay. He's very pale, but is eating. The very end of his tail has a small patch of red (looks like ammonia poisoning, but can't be), and a very light coat of white "hair" growing on it. He is also floating around with his head toward the bottom of the tank if he doesn't work to keep himself level. He was fine last night.

About the time of the dropsy I noticed a small bump forming in the middle of his body right before the tail. It has gotten longer and wider since then. Could it be a tumor?

Tank parameters are fine. I test every 3 days.

I changed out a 30% of water this morning and raised the temp from 76 to 81 degrees, and added about a half a teaspoon of aquarium salt. I also added about 5ml of Stress Coat.

There are 10 new ghost shrimp and a new mystery snail in the tank. I added them on Tuesday the 7th. I'm worried that they brought something into the tank, even though I quarentined them 24 hours to be on the safe side. There is also a mystery snail that has been in the tank for the past month and a half.

I've always had bad luck using medications and have had quite a few betta die from just the meds, I think. Is there something else I can try to get him back to healthy? Keep him comfortable? If the worse happens, how can I go about "steralizing" things so it won't happen again?

edit to add:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10 ppm
pH (and do they use any adjusters): 6.0 and no
Temp: 76 normal

Stock List: 1 betta, 2 mystery snails, 10 ghost shrimp
Tank Size: 5 gallons, cycled
Water change schedule and % changed: 30% once a week

I am far from an expert on Bettas but I have noticed that some do seem to have tumors weather this is caused by inbreeding or the poor conditions they are breed and raised. Until they are in a personal home tank/care some have lived in nothing more than a few cups of eater. I did use the word "some"

You could try PrimaFix and MelaFix as they are a very safe general medication.

How old is the Betta? You mention that you did a 30% water change but what size is the tank, and how often do you do the 30% water changes?

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

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Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

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He's only about a year and a half old. He was an itty-bitty betta when I got him (about and inch long including fins), and I had him a year in January.

5 gallon cycled tank w/filter and water changes once a week.