Help! Betta About To Die ...

[Syphoniera]

I'm NOT an expert, but in case one doesn't show up soon: copper does work on most ich types - I'd use it, rather than leave the infection to worsen, but we can hope someone familiar with that particulr med will show up.
I usually use lower doses on bettas, tetras, cats and other sensitive fish, so you might try that, and if it hasn't shown improvement in a week - assuming the temps can be around 80 degrees - then try increasing the amount.
With CopperSafe, which I've used in the past, I used it for a month with no ill effects showing on self-collected minnows and otos, although any snails are obviously toast and will pollute the water if not removed.

Edit: Thank gawd for Laura Frog - exactly the person I was hoping to see!

 

[Galanta]

Dear Syphoniera,
Thanks a lot! I will at least start with this at a reduced dosage and see how it goes. I'll do some research too on successful ways other people have handled ich in betta fish. He's still refusing pellets and still eating worms ...

 

[LauraFrog]

Keep feeding him bloodworms, anything he will take is

Copper sulfate is one of the safest and most effective treatments for ich. It's less stressful and volatile than other treatments (formaldehyde!!!) and generally works. Can you get a photo? We might be able to tell you for sure whether or not it's ich.

 

[Galanta]

Dear Laurafrog, thanks for the info. Well, I tried my camera earlier, but it is no good for close-ups. I put in the stuff I got at 2/3 strength last night and he is doing just fine. I saw another website where somebody said that this is the exact product they use to rid their bettas of ick, so I think I'll be ok. I'm gonna go up to the recommended strength at the next water change. The raising of the temperature is my biggest problem as he is not in a tank and the bowl is too small for a heater. Luckily my office is always on the hot side, so the water in my bowls ends up running at least at 78-80 degrees. I'm still racking my brains to see if I can think of some way to raise it to 85. Do you know if I do a copper treatment for 2 weeks at a temperature of 79 degrees, if this will do it?

 

[LauraFrog]

It should probably fix it. The thing with ich is that during its lifecycle, the parasites drop off the fish and live in the gravel. This is actually the stage where they can be killed. When this happens and the spots disappear off the fish, a lot of people assume the ich is gone and stop treating. So it keeps coming back. Generally you keep the treatment in the tank until 2 weeks after the last spot disappears.
Ich usually looks like the fish has been sprinkled with salt.

 

[Galanta]

Dear LauraFrog, thanks. He is currently in a 3/4 gallon "hospital bowl". I don't have anything in the bowl at all (but keep it in a quiet corner) and due to small size I am changing the water daily. I am quite certain it is ick. There are tiny spots all over his side fins, his face and back/sides. I think he pretty much lookes like the ick photo down the page on this link (http/www.bettatalk.com/betta_diseases.htm). My plan at this point is to keep this up for 2 weeks after the spots disappear and then he will go back into his normal house that has gravel and other stuff. The main large vase is currently sitting just empty. Will any parasites like this live, if there is no water? I don't know if he already had the ick when he was in his old home or he just developed it when he was with me as he was SERIOUSLY stressed out. When I got him, he was all faded to silver and did not move or eat for days. He is now doing very good, with great color, moving around and ferociously flaring at my own betta. He is picky about his food, but has a great appetite.

 

[tibby25731]

If you are doing daily water changes then you will have to be careful about re-dosing the bowl. My ich meds require dosing on day 1, then again on day 4..... and I then water change on day 7, then start again. Be sure to read up well on how to dose with this med, you don't want to over or under dose.
His old home, I would give a good scrub with hot hot water, no chemicals though, before you re-use it.

 

[Galanta]

Dear Tibby, Thanks. I definitely read the instructions. The stuff I have right now is mild and apparently can be used as treatment (with raised temperature) or preventative. It just tells you how much to do per gallon, so I mix it separately in a gallon jug and then use that to change the water (no way to measure half drops...) thanks for the warning though. Will do as you say on the old home.