Parasites

[Nezabyte]

I've been watching my betta the last couple days and started seeing him dart around and rub against the wall, filter, etc. objects in tank every once in awhile. He still eats, looks normal (flares, scales and eyes look fine, no gold/white dots on his body). I figure it must be parasites though otherwise he wouldn't be rubbing against things in the tank and suddenly having jerky movements. I've been changing about 20% of his water almost daily as the tank has been set up for about 3 weeks (yeah, I know I suck for not trying to do a fishless cycle, but I figure he'd be ok if I kept an eye on the water quality). The temperature has been at a constant 79.5 degrees, but I am raising it to 80 degrees and have just added the first treatment of maracide to the tank.

My question is if I should follow the 5 day treatment, 3 doses with no water changes as written on the bottle (I read online from some user that water changes should be done) or do a 5 day treatment, 3 doses, with 20-30% water change before each treatment? Or something totally different?

If anyone thinks it could be something other than parasites, let me know. I'm really paranoid since I lost a whole tank of fish before due to ich.

 

[NameUser]

sounds like what my guy was doing.. but im pretty sure he was doing it cause the current from filter was too much for him.. it would push him slightly against the sides of the tank, and he would FREAK OUT!!! and jerk to get away from the wall..

try slowing the filter flow with a sponge.. worked for me.. i have seen him do the insane jerking since.

 

[Johnlenham]

OP's description is something my goldfish has been doing, guess I should look into this parasite treatments.

 

[Nezabyte]

It's been a couple days now. He still looks healthy and flares all the time but still does the darting/rubbing thing sometimes. I'll shut off my filter for awhile to see if that's the issue.

EDIT: He's building a bubblenest now so perhaps that's all it was I'll have to pick up a sponge sometime before I flip the filter back on.

 

[LionMom]

Something I have found very effective for slowing down the flow (tried to go without any filtration for a couple of days and it was driving me NUTS!) is to rubber band an AquaClear sponge in front of the flow. Works like a charm - still filters, but the flow back into the tank is GREATLY reduced. It also has the added benefit of having another surface for the good bacteria to grow on.

HTH!!!

 

[nuttyJD]

Hi Lionmom,

When you say Aquaclear sponge do you mean a filter sponge? And did you buy the coconut shell in the end?

Leanne

 

[LionMom]

Hi Lionmom,

When you say Aquaclear sponge do you mean a filter sponge? And did you buy the coconut shell in the end?

Leanne


Hi!

I mean the sponges that come with AquaClear filters. I have purchased extras over the years. Just looked on Pet Solutions and they are now calling them "AquaClear Foam". Same diff I would think.

Still thinking about the coconut shells. Gotta watch the $$$$ - hard to do with this hobby!!