I Think My Betta Is Getting Sick

[bymauldin]

I noticed yesterday that one of my bettas wasn't being as active as normal. He usually swims frantically around the bowl whenever I enter the room. Yesterday he was just kind of laying around and just 'resting' at the top of the water. I also noticed that his fins seemed clamped up. With closer inspection I noticed some small spots on his head that weren't there before. They weren't fuzzy and I wouldn't really say that they were WHITE 'white'...but they were a lot lighter in color than his normal color. I also noticed what looked like teeny tiny little specks all over him (maybe-not entirely sure, but he looked a little speckly). I turned off the lights and shined a flashlight to check for velvet, but with the flashlight he didn't look sprinkled with gold (as they say with velvet).

I just cleaned his bowl 2 days ago so the water isn't a problem (although I did forget to add salt)...He also ate like a little piggy last night so his appetite is still good. He even flared up at each individual piece of food as usual. And appeared to have gotten mad when I shined the flashlight on him as he flared at me then too.

I changed the bowl around the other day when I cleaned it. I added new plants (bamboo) and a hermit crab shell (boiled then rinsed in hot and cold water-of course). I don't know if that would have an effect but I'm trying to give as much information as possible.

Anybody have any ideas - could it be ich? Could it be velvet, even though I didn't see gold with the flashlight? Any help is greatly appreciated as I'm really attached to "Easley" my betta.

 

[bymauldin]

Also, I need to add that I haven't noticed him scratching on anything or flicking any.

 

[Phaedra]

It sounds like Ich to me according to your description. Pics might help. Also, just a thought, but I seem to recall reading that shells can alter the chemistry in a tank (even properly cleaned ones). I can't remember the details, but you might do a search for it.

 

[bymauldin]

Yeah, I remember reading about shells in another thread, but most people said that they didn't seem to think it would alter the water chemistry enough to cause a problem. I don't know. It's something I would like an answer to, but it seems that no one can really answer that question with certainty. He really likes the shell so I would hate to take it out, but I will if I need too.

 

[joycould]

Yeah, I remember reading about shells in another thread, but most people said that they didn't seem to think it would alter the water chemistry enough to cause a problem. I don't know. It's something I would like an answer to, but it seems that no one can really answer that question with certainty. He really likes the shell so I would hate to take it out, but I will if I need too.

Shells change the ph by raising it and also makes the alkaninity go up, it acts like a buffer.

 

[bymauldin]

Yeah, I remember reading about shells in another thread, but most people said that they didn't seem to think it would alter the water chemistry enough to cause a problem. I don't know. It's something I would like an answer to, but it seems that no one can really answer that question with certainty. He really likes the shell so I would hate to take it out, but I will if I need too.

Shells change the ph by raising it and also makes the alkaninity go up, it acts like a buffer.

I am aware of that. It was stated in the previous thread I mentioned. Most people just agreed that the effect on the water from one shell was very minimal. So, unless this shell made my betta sick then I'll just wait it out and see what happens.

SO Ich was mentioned. I was thinking ich myself, but was unsure. There is no way I'll be able to get a clear picture of my betta as he hates to have his picture made and I don't think the speckly stuff would show up. I've tried numerous times to get a good picture of my lil baby but I just can't. How should I treat Ich?

 

[joycould]

If it is ich raise the temp a couple of degrees and use aquarium salt. I use about 1 tablespoon per gallon and watch for signs of stress for a few hours. If there is some I slowly start changing the water. http/www.fishyfarmacy.com/ Check this site it has a lot of diseases and treatments. You might find a discription of what your poor little guy has.

 

[zoekin8yg]

does it look like grains of salt? ich sounds most likely