Request Help - Female Betta With A Large White Patch

[Hollyweb]

Request Help
 Tank size: 20 gal
 pH: 7.5
 ammonia: Unknown (I don't have a test kit)
 nitrite: unknown
 nitrate: unknown
 kH: unknown
 gH: unknown
 tank temp: 80 f
 
 Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): My female betta has a large white patch on one side by her gill and just under her eye. It seems to have caused her gill to be stuck open, and it's sort of spreading around her eye. She wasn't eating this morning, and she isn't swimming very well.
 
 Volume and Frequency of water changes: 10% water changes once a month. I also just did a 50% water change today after I got home from work.
 
 Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: I added melafix today, 2 tsp
 
 Tank inhabitants: 1 female betta, 1 lyretail dalmatian molly, 1 silver molly, 2 sunburst platy, 1 mickey mouse platy, 4 fancy tail guppies and 4 white cloud mountain minnows, and a clown pleco. I had a female guppy who just had fry, we separated the fry into a nursery tank but the female guppy died two days ago.
 
 Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): None recent
 Exposure to chemicals: None that I know of
 Digital photo (include if possible):

 

[Shelster]

Can you get a clearer pic?

Could be missing scales?

I really would up your water changes, I have a single betta in a 23litre and a 50 litre and I do 50% water changes on a weekly basis.

Have you set up a different tank for treatment? I would suggest just frequent, as in daily water changes of 50% if not more as 10% on a monthly basis really isn't much at all for your stocking.

Can you buy a water test kit? Liquid preferably, such as api. It will certainly help us to help you more.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

[Hollyweb]

I was trying to get clearer pictures but she was hiding at the back of my tank away from the other fish. I quarantined her shortly after I posted last night, but she didn't make it. When we scooped her out of the tank the white spot was missing scales and kind of reddish in places almost like blood.
 
My roommate and I keep meaning to buy a test kit, but they are so expensive. I think after this it is worth it, especially since we have several tanks (my roommate is a hobbyist, with 4 tanks).
 
Thank you for your help

 

[Shelster]

RIP betta.

Yes the test kits are a necessity for fish keeping. Maybe have a look online, see if you can find them cheaper. Definitely buy the liquid ones though, as the cheaper paper strip ones aren't as accurate.

 

[Wildbetta]

So sorry for your loss.      Definitely get a test kit.  You can get one off of Amazon for around $20 which is cheaper than in LFS or places like Petco/Petsmart.  It is worth every penny you spend on it and is one of the first things advised for anyone getting a fish tank.  Watch your other fish very closely to make sure what the betta had didn't transfer to them.