Medicating Betta Fish Who Live In A Bowl

[WILDER]

Ok.
I would add marcyn 2 to the tank aswell.
What the temp of the tank.

COLUMNARIS
The hospital tank should be heated to approx. 74 degrees. 76 and above is the ideal breeding temperature for columnaris. Though there is some dispute over lowering the temperature, my experience has been that 72 is too low for the medication to work rapidly, 76+ causes the disease to breed more rapidly than the anti-biotic can kill, and 74 is "just right." Remember to keep this temperature stable!

 

[Galanta]

Dear Wilder,

Thanks. Temperature is 75F, which is the best I can do right now since it is just a bowl and relies on ambient temperature. Won't be near LFS today, but will get Maracyn Two tomorrow, if still no improvement. Will be in touch.

 

[WILDER]

Ok.
Good Luck.

 

[Anna Robinson]

am I supposed to add more Pimafix every day or am I supposed to change the water with freshly dosed water every day? Or leave him in correctly dosed water for 5 days?

You just add the daily dose each day for 7 days. You do a 25% water change at the end of the course of treatment.

I can't think that being in a bowl would make a lot of difference to the medication - I suppose it might be less well dispersed in the water, but that's all.

 

[Galanta]

Thank you. I had gotten advice on the betta forum to medicate daily after 50% water change, which is what I have been doing for 4 days now. (i.e. there are 2.5 gal of water in there and every day I have been taking out 1 1/4 gal and adding a new dose of Maracyn measured out for 2.5 gal) He has been getting Maracyn for 5 days and Pimafix for 2 days (in addition to Maracyn). I threw it in just in case it was maybe fungal after all, since it was just not responding to Maracyn and I kept reading that white fuzzy stuff was fungal.

I FINALLY got my hands on a somewhat decent camera. Couldn't get him to stay still, but finally got a couple of acceptable shots that show what the stuff looks like.

Here is the link: http/www.flickr.com/photos/39684179@N05/...57620808220720/

I couldn't make it to LFS and thought maybe before I try the 3rd medication, I should show somebody what exactly it looks like.

Dear Wilder - does this give you a better idea of what is goinf on? Does this look like columnaris and do you still think I should just go for the
Maracyn 2?

 

[WILDER]

its hard to tell on the pics. The fins do look fluffy on the edges.
The fins look in bad shape.


If you do a complete water change matching ph and temp. To remove the pimafix and maracyn.
You could also maybe try tetracycline instead of maracyn one and and two.
Have you been using garlic juice to boost his immune system.

Antibiotics wipe the benefical bacteria out in the filter.

 

[Galanta]

Dear Wilder, thanks. I'm sorry about the quality of the photos. It's really the best I could do.

Yes, his fins are in a sad state ... : (

No, I did not try garlic juice. How do I make it and how much do I put per gallon?

I'm not sure if in the end u r recommending to use Maracyn with Maracyn 2, or if u r saying to switch out the water and start treating with tetra cycline (what type of things is that for?) If I do switch to tetra cycline , do I use it full strenght for a betta?

Thanks.

 

[WILDER]

You just use the juice out of the garlic. You soak the food in the garlic. You don't add it to the tank.

I think now that you already used maracyn one without the maracyn two. I would just use tetracycline now at full strength.

 

[Galanta]

Dear Wilder, actually I never msanaged to get my hands on any Maracyn Two, so I just fast forwarded to tetracycline. And guess what - just 24 hours later poractically all the little fuzz is gone and the larger clumps are also diminishing. : ) : ) : ) [jumping for joy...]. Of course I will finish the full 5 days of treatment, but I can see now that the fuzz is gone, that his fins look a little mangled. I.e. Once the fuzz is gone they look a little wavy on both sides as if the bacteria ate away little pieces all around and in stead of a straight and smooth rod it has "dents". Will this regenerate by itself with good water conditions maintained or should there be something else added to help him recover fully? I normally just have him in tap water treated with Bettasafe and 1/2 tsp of aquarium salt per gallon.

 

[WILDER]

Carry on with the 5 day treatment.
You might need to do two rounds.
Good Luck.

 

[Galanta]

Dear Wilder, thanks. When u say 2 rounds, do u mean back to back, I.e. 10 days straight or do I need to give it a rest in between?

 

[WILDER]

Back to back.

 

[Galanta]

Dear Wilder, thanks. Will definitely go for 10 days. Just put in 4th day of medication and still not cleared up. Will be in touch later. Thanks again.

 

[WILDER]

I would definately do another round of meds then.
Good Luck.