Ok so im working with my mom this week and a co-worker of ours has a betta in her office. I have had betta's before but know very little about them. The fish has been all week just laying on his side on the gravel which ive seen with bettas before but not for a whole week. So i asked her when was the last time she cleaned the tank, which is about a half gallon acrylic tank. She said she hadnt for about a month, so yesterday i cleaned his tank for her. Anyways today im noticing his eyes appear to be cloudy. I think hes got some sort of fungus. I have seen fungus with my fish before but its usually on there fins and mouth as well, but not with the betta. His eyes are cloudy, he isnt eating and hes lying on the side. I can tell she loves this fish so I agreed to help in saving him. Whats my best bet as far as medication or any other options? Please any help is appreciated.

Cloudy eyes could be the result of many things so its hard to tell you exactly what to do. Does he have any other marks on his body? fungus? red sores? and red sores around his eyes? Any swelling in the face, belly? Is he eating at all? Cloudy eyes could be the a baterical infection, the possible start of popeye, or something else entirely. Try treating with melafix or possibly both maracyn 1 and 2 which will cover anything it could possibly be. also try adding a bit of aquarium salt to his water (1 tblsp per gallon) and keep his water crystal clean!

No marks on the rest of his body, just his eyes and energy. I have some melafix at home, i will bring it in tomorrow. Im not sure what else it would be, not sure if its popeye. I cleaned his water yesterday and suggested that she start cleaning him at least 2 times a month if not once a week.

A bit of aquarium salt? Im assuming that is different then table salt? I have cichlid salt which i use in my african cichlid tank at home, is that what your referring too? Or will that not work the same?

whoa! not a tablespoon per gallon!, a teaspoon! I think Cichlid salt has other minerals added table salt is iodized so that's why you get Aquarium Salt. I think Kosher salt works too,

This post has been edited by eb2: Mar 20 2008, 05:53 PM

Bettas don't do well with salt really, I absolutely would not use a teaspoon per gallon, it's overkill for a fish that doesn't like salt.

OK, not even a tespoon, directions on the package call for 1/2 teaspoon per gal

in a half gallon she needs to be changing 100% of his water about twice a week! i would suggest to her that she get a slightly larger tank then she wont have to clean it quite so much. although she still needs to clean him out regularly, if she really does love this fish as she says she does she should be willing to make a bit of an effort for him.

I would try and persuade her to let you take it home to nurse it properly...

Thanks Everyone.... So im thinking either no salt or 1/4 a teaspoon for the 1/2 gallon. Also I would pursuade her to bring him home but its an hour away from my house and i think that transporting him will be too stressfull. Tomorrow morning i will bring her some melafix, and tell her about the new cleaning routine.. Thanks again everyone. If someone can please confirm that the salt is an ok measurement then im good to go, Unless you think its better to just stick to the melafix?

I'm not aware of salt being a problem, I use it and I've spent some time on other Betta Disease Forums all recommending salt during time of illness. I think 1/4 teaspoon 1/2 gal would be just right, it aids with gill function and electrolyte balance.

This post has been edited by eb2: Mar 20 2008, 10:38 PM

yep 1/4 teaspoon for a half gallon id the right amt

So David as i later found out his name is, Didnt make it. I was in her office a few minutes ago and we both saw his last breath. Ive actually never seen anything like it, he was lying on the gravel and out came some bubbles and he hasnt moved since, Im assuming hes dead but i dont have the heart to tell her and dont want to find out myself with her around. If this is the case i think i will set her up with a replacement, another David or as close to one as i can find... Thanks everyone for all your help. I put the melafix in this morning but i guess it was too little too late. Thanks again.