My Betta Is Ill! Please Help!

[Rope55]

I have a betta at work (where I have no control over the temperature). He's been a healthy little guy for almost a year, but all the sudden (over Labor Day weekend) he has come down with about 4 little white cottony spots, which I assume are a fungus. It was very hot here in Los Angeles over the weekend, and I assume his illness may have had something to do with the temperature fluctuation. Anyway, he also has raised scales that look "pinecone" like. Is this Dropsy? Is he doomed? Can the raised scaled be a symptom of the fungus i.e. curable? Also he has a long piece of excrement (I believe) attached to his underbelly. The color of it changed once I treated the water for a fungal infection. Could this mean he's processing and excreting some of his illness? I have another betta in a separate tank who is doing just fine, same water, temperature, food, etc. Any advice/reassurance/reality check would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[l.michelle]

It sounds like dropsy. You will need to give salt baths and pick up Maracyn Plus. As far as I know, dropsy gets worse fast, so the quicker you can do this, the better.

What are your water params? What size tank is he in, is it filtered? How often do you do water changes and at what percentage?

 

[Rope55]

Well, he's in about a half gallon tank which I know is small but technically it is my boss's fish. I took over his care about 9 months ago when she went on vacation and never asked for him back. It isn't filtered or anything, but I never let it get too dirty.

Anyway, I change his water about once every week, same as the other fish I have.

Any tips on how one gives a salt bath? This is my first time caring for a fish so I'm a bit of a newbie.

In terms of the Maracyn Plus, I already treated his water with some Fungal Treament - can I add the Maracyn Plus into that water, or should I do a complete change of the water first?

Thanks very much!

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

The fungus probably was brought on by the heat but the dropsy wasn't. It may have been accelerated due to his illness is all. I'm guessing the poop is white in colour? A sign of stress and illness. Chances are his number is about to be called I sorry to say. Just treat for the fungus and nothing else. It'll only stress him further. If he is still eating feed less then normal. Keep him comfortable and wait. Best of luck.
P.