Popeye, Gill Disease, And Fin/tail Rot?!

[Lady Hitokiri]

Okay...so I posted earlier about my betta Ichigo seeming sluggish and laying still at the bottom of the tank. I thought it had to do with his diet but just a few minutes ago I looked at him and his eyes seemed to potrude. I was like...oh, maybe he has popeye now! But then I also looked and it seems, at least to me, that he has gill disease AND fin/tail rot along with the popeye. I don't know how he could have gotten all three of them and how I didn't notice this before. Do you know what causes these things so I can prevent my fish from getting them in the future?

Also, I want to know what I should do specifically. I put in some tetracycline from Mardel ® but I left the betta in the tank. I should keep him in there with the medicine, right? Also, should I use something other than or in conjunction with the tetracycline tablets? He doesn't look too good so I want to do what's best for him as quickly as possible. Should I do a partial water change? Any and all advice would be appreciated. THANKS!!!

 

[jollysue]

I'm sorry.

What kind of tank is he in?

Most of these things get started from poor water quality or dirty substrate. The fish gets stressed and then gets sick. After that the infection spreads and gets virulent.

I am not the best to give directives here. Almost anything at this point could cause extra stress that could be too much for him to handle. Ideally, I would want him in a hospital tank that can be kept clean with frequent water changes. But just moving him could be stressful. Neverthe less it is important to do frequent water changes and keep him clean.

I am hoping one of the emergency speciallist will answer your call.

 

[Lady Hitokiri]

It's a 2.5 gallon tank. I had just done a partial water change exactly one week ago so I don't know how the water could have gotten bad (I change the water a little bit each week and replace some of the gravel, and add drops to neutralize the chlorine and also add a little aquarium salt). Maybe I just added the wrong amounts?

Thanks for trying to help me and I will do a partial water change today but still use the medicine.

 

[Kittles_yang]

Okay...so I posted earlier about my betta Ichigo seeming sluggish and laying still at the bottom of the tank. I thought it had to do with his diet but just a few minutes ago I looked at him and his eyes seemed to potrude. I was like...oh, maybe he has popeye now! But then I also looked and it seems, at least to me, that he has gill disease AND fin/tail rot along with the popeye. I don't know how he could have gotten all three of them and how I didn't notice this before. Do you know what causes these things so I can prevent my fish from getting them in the future?

Also, I want to know what I should do specifically. I put in some tetracycline from Mardel ® but I left the betta in the tank. I should keep him in there with the medicine, right? Also, should I use something other than or in conjunction with the tetracycline tablets? He doesn't look too good so I want to do what's best for him as quickly as possible. Should I do a partial water change? Any and all advice would be appreciated. THANKS!!!

Well...if the disease is Anchor Worms or Fish Lice then it is like impossible to take care of it...a few of my females had torned up fins, eatin' up scales on the body, and the mouth was eatin' up by the disease. My females couldn't eat anymore so i have the females until the end of period. Umm...i have used some medicine but some of those don't work, but you can try....

 

[jollysue]

I understand, Lady. It is a sad fact of the hobby that it is usually something we missed that hurts the fish--other than old age. I am not out to get you, so to speak.

Is the tank filtered? (I'm just doing the check list, you see, since no one better at it is doing it.)

Do you have a water test kit?

If the tank is filtered, then partial water changes can be enough, IF nothing happens to destroy the nitrifying bacteria--like running the filter while changing the water.

As you have not given the information necessary to do the basic evaluations, I am beginning there.

If there is no filter then the water needs to be changed 100% a week + or -.

If it is finrot, popeye, gill infection, etc, then you are dealing with a bacterial infection. What would you do for an infected sore first? The answer is keep it clean. You would not want to soak it in dirty water that is filled with the bacteria that you are fighting. First rule: Clean and sterile.

So regardless of a filter or not , start doing frequent water changes, whether partial or 100%. Several times a day is not too much.

Please forgive me if I am off my game a little. It is the end of my day after a 10+ hour work shift.

I have, by the way seen fish cured of external parasites like hook worms, but popeye is not caused by a parasite.

There is also an emergency forum section where you would most certainly get excellent knowledgeable help.

 

[Lady Hitokiri]

I understand, Lady. It is a sad fact of the hobby that it is usually something we missed that hurts the fish--other than old age. I am not out to get you, so to speak.

Is the tank filtered? (I'm just doing the check list, you see, since no one better at it is doing it.)

Do you have a water test kit?

If the tank is filtered, then partial water changes can be enough, IF nothing happens to destroy the nitrifying bacteria--like running the filter while changing the water.

As you have not given the information necessary to do the basic evaluations, I am beginning there.

If there is no filter then the water needs to be changed 100% a week + or -.

If it is finrot, popeye, gill infection, etc, then you are dealing with a bacterial infection. What would you do for an infected sore first? The answer is keep it clean. You would not want to soak it in dirty water that is filled with the bacteria that you are fighting. First rule: Clean and sterile.

So regardless of a filter or not , start doing frequent water changes, whether partial or 100%. Several times a day is not too much.

Please forgive me if I am off my game a little. It is the end of my day after a 10+ hour work shift.

I have, by the way seen fish cured of external parasites like hook worms, but popeye is not caused by a parasite.

There is also an emergency forum section where you would most certainly get excellent knowledgeable help.

I do use a filter but don't have it running all of the time. I usually have it on for half the day and turn it off at night 'cause my betta didn't like it at night. I don't have a water test kit though.

But it doesn't matter anyway, 'cause last night when I got back from studying, I saw that he was dead. :'( I wish I could have helped him better and I'm really upset 'cause in ten days it would have been a year since I had gotten him.

 

[jollysue]

I'm really sorry, Lady H.

I was afraid that it was already a done deal, kind of expecting that that is what would happen.

Turning the filter off could cause the good bacteria to die. They need a constant supply of ammonia and nitries. If the media dries out that will also kill them. With frequent water changes the fish can do all right. But if the fish gets stressed, then its immunity will be compromised. Bacterial infections are oportunistic.

You have done your best. His age was probably a factor also. I applaud your honesty. I have certainly lost my share of fish. Sadly most of us learn hard lesson from experience.

RIP, little Ichigo, You will be missed.

 

[Lady Hitokiri]

Thanks so much for your advice and kind words as well. Yeah, now that I know better I can make sure that the same thing doesn't happen to my female betta, Rukia.