My Male Betta: Update

[Lady Hitokiri]

Yesterday I noticed that my male betta Ichigo had some scales that did not quite look right. Near the top of his body/near his head, his skin looked kinda weird...I'm not sure how to explain it. I thought that either he had some metals or something on it or maybe he was losing some of his scales. Either way it looks maybe to be deteriorating a little bit. I have two videos of him, and they're hard to see exactly how it looks because of the glare and the way the camera is, so I hope you can figure out what I need to do with mostly what I say. He was living with a female betta that was nipping at his fins a bit but I separated them a few days ago (she does not have this problem). Also, I did a water change a few days ago and maybe his skin problem is due to either too many metals in the water. However, I did treat the water with AquaSafe beforehand (neutralizes chloring, chloramine, and heavy metals, and enhances natural slime coat) and today I put in a few more drops of that into the 2.5 gallon tank as well as half a capful of Mardel's Stress Therapy, with chitosan to restore and heal damaged skin and mucous coat. Maybe I put in too much AquaSafe, etc.?

Please tell me if I did anything wrong or what I can do to help my betta. I'm not even sure what it wrong with him so any and all help would be appreciated!

Here are the (bad) videos:

http/video.tinypic.com/player.php?v=16kt0l0
http/video.tinypic.com/player.php?v=16ktauv

 

[Rediahs]

Living with a female? Good thing you separated. Now, even after this little guy is better, do not put them together again unless you intend to breed them, and if you are intending to breed them, you have to do a lot of research so that you do it properly. You can't just stick them together.

That's the first thing you did wrong.

But I can't see the videos, so I can't tell what's wrong... you got any pictures?

 

[Lady Hitokiri]

Yeah, I'll get some pics. Hold on a sec.



Here they are, bad quality though (you can compare to the pic in my sig):

Also, regarding them living together...I did not realize that I shouldn't do it. Thanks for telling me. I read online when I got the female that sometimes males and females live together (but not more than one male together). But I guess it was wrong.

 

[Rediahs]

He is ADORABLE!!! I love that pic where he's turning to see your finger...

...

Oh but you wanted help with something? Lol *straightens up*

Well um hrrr let's see, I can't really see anything wrong with him, but maybe it's just the pics... and from the description I can't figure out what you're saying...

My best guess is that it was a problem with the female being in there, and like you said, nipping at him... it is probably no more than that.

Just make sure his scales don't have white spots, golden dust, or are sticking out like a pinecone. Those are signs of serious problems.

 

[Lady Hitokiri]

I'm very glad that you like him. He's very sweet.

He doesn't have any white spots or anything like that. I guess I'll wait and see what happens over the next few days. And I definitely won't put him with the female.

 

[Rediahs]

Go for it! I hope he gets better!

 

[Rynoah]

I'd also add the tiniest pinch of aquarium salt, if you have any (not regular salt). It'll help him recover a little faster. Keep his water extra clean and let us know how things turn out!

 

[greyko]

I'd be going with the water changes and aquarium salt. Hopefully it is just the nipping from the girl, and even so, those precautions will help prevent an infection.

 

[Lady Hitokiri]

Thanks...I'll buy salt tomorrow (since stores are closed July 4th, today). He doesn't look bad but I'll use it just in case, and let you know how things turn out!

 

[Lady Hitokiri]

Good news! Update: He is looking a lot better after I used the aquarium salt. Everything is fine. I also purchased bloodworms as treats for him every so often to make it up to him.

 

[betta_grl]

Happy he is feeling better