Female Betta, Possible Tuberculosis, Need Advice!

[Lynda B]

I am relatively new to betta disease and, thus far, have only had to treat one female for a bacterial infection (she completely recovered). I could use advice with this new situation.

I have 8 females in a 15 gallon tank, fully filtered & cycled. As of last night at bedtime, they were all fine (I do a head count multiple times during the day and observe them closely). By this morning, my oldest female, Rose, appeared to have cataracts. Her eyes are very cloudy and only slightly bulged. It did not appear to be pop eye. In doing some research, it appears that it might be tuberculosis. I immediately pulled her from the sorority tank and placed her in isolation. Not being confident in what I'm treating her for, I only put in bettafix remedy.

She was not lethargic and was swimming well and eating. I do know that tuberculosis is fatal but would like to make her more comfortable, if that's what she has.

I do not have photos as yet but can post some this evening after work. I had to rush to work after I placed her in isolation and so was not able to take pictures this morning.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what it might be? Thanks for your help in this matter.

Lynda

 

[leec]

Hi

Cloudy eye(s) on Bettas is not a symptom of tuberculosis. Its a bacterial infection alright but a much less serious one. Popeye is a bacterial infection also, any swelling is a symtom of this. You should be abe to find an anti-bacterial medicine, the brand depending where you live obviously, that lists cloudy eyes and/or popeye as treatable symptoms/illnesses. Here in Ireland it would be one of the Interpet range. Good luck in treating, it doesnt sound too serious (fish TB is and is not treatable).

LEE

 

[Lynda B]

Hi Lee, thanks for your comments. It doesn't appear to be pop eye, but rather just cloudy eye. Although I can find the term "cloudy eye" multiple times on google, I can't find out what it is exactly. Ack! This is so frustrating.

I wonder if maracyn and maracyn 2 would work for this.

 

[leec]

Hi Lynda

I know what you mean regarding info on the internet about it. No-one seems to want to define it properly. If the Interpet range of medications is available to you, No. 9 Anti-internal bacteria is the one to use. The Interpet fish health guide (comes in all their boxes of meds) lists it as a bacterial infection. I have seen some brands of meds list it as a symptom that requires anti- slime and velvet treatment (its getting vague again). The best thing to use, if you can get it, would be Melafix, or the diluted version Betafix; both seem to be natural broad spectrum anti-bacterial, fungal, parasite treatments (tea-tree oil I think). If the Maracyn 1 and 2 is all that is available to you, it should work also, as they should wipe out any bacterial infections in the tank. I have had Bettas with cloudy eye several times (some had it alot; the more stressed ones at the bottom of the social hierarchy) and it was never serious - the fish would still eat and be active. Best of luck

LEE

 

[Lynda B]

I put her in the 10 gallon hospital last night and started her on Maracyn and Maracyn2. She didn't look any worse this morning, so I'm hoping that I caught it early enough.

Thanks for your help!