Advice For Sick Betta

[kaseyk52]

Hi, I was wondering if someone can give me some advice. I have a betta which I have had for 9 months. Last week he came down with what appeared to be body fungus. I started treating him with BettaFix for two days but that didn't seem to help so I changed all the water (he is an a 1 gallon tank) and used MarOxy for two days. On the third day he didn't seem better so I also added Maracyn and 1/2 teaspoon of aquarium salt. Its the second day I have been using Maracyn (I still use the MarOxy) and I am not sure he is better. His color is very good and he even continues to flare and eat and he doesn't have a lot of new growth on his body (just a little on his head). What he does have is two tufts of cottony-white growth on the ends of his fins that are just not going away (in fact it seems to be shedding periodically but not really disappearing). I am wondering if I am doing enough for him? I am trying to keep the water above 75 degrees. If anyone has used Maracyn can you tell me how long it takes to work? I am not sure why this happened. He has always been so healthy. I purchased a new fish from a pet store a week prior to him getting sick and kept their tanks close to each other (I have since moved them apart and have been careful to wash my hands when doing water changes etc) but the new betta seems to be healthy. The only thing I can pin point is that my heat had malfunctioned for a few days and it got to 66 degrees. Perhaps the temperature change stressed him out? I always keep my water very clean and change the 1 gallon bowl every 5-6 days and he is really very good about the water changes. I use a little plastic cup in which he usually goes into all by himself so he isn't being netted or stressed out. I feel so bad for the poor little guy. If he makes it I am definitely getting him a 2.5 gallon tank and heater.

Please tell me if I am doing the right things. I would really appreciate some help!

 

[DarkEntity]

When you change all the water you are removing all the good bacteria and replacing it with uncycled and chlorinated water. Personally id never do that to any fish. Betta are just like other tropical fish, they need to be treated like them.

 

[liz2]

dunno whether you are uk, but the water is awful round here. I change my fish....100%...but I have spare bucket and leave the water to stand for at least 48 hours I also add water conditioner as well....just a thought!

good luck!

 

[zoekin8yg]

The water doesnt contain the bacteria! It lives in the filter if you have one, or in the gravel or on the plants NOT on the water it isnt the water that you cycle! If you have no filter you have to keep changing the water a lot more often that in a cycled tank so that the ammonia doesnt build up.

The cottony growths are fungus, you seem to be using the correct form of treatment. But you do need a heater for the betta they like really warm water.

 

[Liberty802]

Hello, I'm sorry your bettas not feeling well Maracyn works best when used with maracyn 2. One treats gram negative bacteria, the other treats gram positive. So where theres no real gaurentee whether the fungus is gram negative or positive its best to treat with both maracyns. You could also try giving him a salt bath, I don't know the exact measurements but yo can research it. I've found that jungle fungus ease works really really well.


Good luck with him I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for the little guy

 

[kaseyk52]

Thank you very much for the advice. I think what I am doing is working. He seems to be almost clear of everything and its only the second day of the combo. I am really hoping he will recover. Oh I did forget to mention but I do use a water conditioner and dechlorinator when I do a full change. Perhaps I will look into cycling I just did not realize bettas required that.

I wanted to update in case someone has a similar problem. I am just amazed by how well the combo worked. Its like a different fish. I have to admit I did not notice the signs that he was sick. He seemed to be a little less active for about a week and the water started getting dirty with white flakes floating at the top (the bacteria I assume) and then it finally attacked him. I have to say he looked just awful so I really was concerned. Given the fact that I wasn't sure whether it was body fungus (bacteria?) or true fungus, I treated him for both. I don't know if thats over kill but it really worked and I was worried that the pet store didn't have anything strong enough. So, just wanted to update my experience.