Sick Betta

[joycould]

You have a filter I don't know if you have charcoal in it but charcoal usually takes the medicine out of the water. Also if you can raise the temperature a couple of degrees that sometimes helps.

 

[rdd1952]

I'm going to continue to treat him. I have to do a water change before adding the next dose tomorrow and will lower the water level to about half depth. The tank is planted with val grass, anubia nana and hygrophilia. When I lower tha water level, the top of the nana will be right at water level so he should be able to lay on it and stay near the top if he wants.

The tank is filtered and I haven't used carbon in a couple years. I will tryraising the temp a little. Someone also mentioned salt on the thread I had in the betta section. How much salt (is it just table salt or do I need aquarium salt) would I need per gallon and could I use it with the medication. I've had tanks for over 2 years and never had to treat one before so I am clueless on medicating.

And by the way joycould, we're almost neighbors. There seems to be a lot of people from around the Charlotte area on here now. You are the 5th one I've come across in the last couple months.

 

[joycould]

Wait to use the salt until the last dose of medicine. Use one teaspoon per gallon, dissolve the salt in a little aquarium water completely before adding it to the tank. I won't hurt your plants either because I have some of the same plants and use salt as the first step when a betta gets feeling a little bad.

We are close!! Psst did you know there is someone on aquabid that has some awesome bettas every once in awhile from Charlotte They haven't had any in awhile probably because of the hot weather but I keep looking.

 

[rdd1952]

I've never used aquabid before but may try it when I get another betta. I guess those tend to last longer than the LFS/Petsmart ones.

I did a 25% water change this morning and added the next dose of medication. I then lowered the water level to about half tank so it's only about 4" deep now. I guess he's in about a gallon or so of water (2.5 gallon tank). I fed some brine shrimp so they would sink be he hasn't seemed to show any interest even though they are laying right beside him. I'm afraid this is strictly an age thing and that the meds aren't going to help but we'll see.

 

[Kay1123]

If you use table salt make sure it doesn't have iodine. If you can find some without it.

Otherwise you should probably get some salt for aquariums.

 

[rdd1952]

Just an update. Fletch passed away yesterday. I feel certain this was an age issue and not parasites or ny other type disease but I did treat him and the tank for parasites just in case it would help him. My questions is should I completely break the tank down and clean it before adding a new betta (hasn't been too long since it was cleaned pretty well). Strictly from a cleaning standpoint it is fine but just not sure about the meds (should I continue to treat the tank completely) and the remote possibility of parasites. Cleaning the tank would mean I would have to buy some more sand as I don't have any clean to put in and I don't know if just washing what is in there good would be enough or not

 

[-germ-]

Fletch...
Really sorry to hear of your loss RDD, gutted i couldn't provide anymore help.

It'd depend on the parasite (if there ever was one), if it had a free living stage and how long it could survive without a host.
I'd break the tank down and get it cleaned anyway, just to be on the safe side.
If what i've heard is correct the majority of fish already have parasites but they only succumb or suffer when weakened via poor tank husbandry, other illness, or (again if there was a parasite in Fletchs case) even old age.

Anyway, again sorry for your loss.

 

[happyannie]

I'm really sorry you lost your betta friend. You certainly did all you could for him and that's admirable.

I'd just take everything out and start all over again. Better safe than sorry since you can't be sure what happened. I've had to do that once too and had this beautifully planted tank with a coconut hut I'd made for him etc etc. I know it makes things doubly hard but it is the right thing to do.

You sure did try hard though. He had a great life I'm sure.