What's This White Spot On My Betta?

[mach430]

My betta has had this white spot on its fin for a couple months now. It goes through to the otherside, however is smaller and more pale on that side. What is this, and how do I fix it?

Thanks,
Ben

 

[WILDER]

Need some more info.
How many gallons is the tank.
How many fish and which type if he's not kept on his own.
Water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate, and ph.
White spots on the fin just want to make sure its dosn't resemble a cauliflower.
Any redness to the spot.

 

[mach430]

Need some more info.
How many gallons is the tank.
How many fish and which type if he's not kept on his own.
Water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate, and ph.
White spots on the fin just want to make sure its dosn't resemble a cauliflower.
Any redness to the spot.

The fish was alone in a 1 gallon filterless tank for the past 2 years until Wednesday when we bought a 20-gal and added fish. He had the white spot months before, and it has not seemed to affect his behavior, thus we didn't think too much about adding other fish.

I do not yet have a kit to check the stats, but we were doing several water changes when we first noticed the spot (old tank) and tried treating it for ich. New tank was not cycled however betta's water/gravel + "Stability" bacteria was added (day 6 today).

The white spot is fairly flat and does not appear hairy/etc. The center is more solid white and it dissipates as it spreads out. What baffles me is that it is visible on the other side of the tail, although smaller/paler.

No redness to the spot, at least not noticeable.

The betta continues to act normal, although in the new tank we are having difficulty feeding him as he does not like any of the other fish food and the betta food rapidly sinks to the gravel.

Thoughts?

 

[mach430]

The fish has today appeared to have developed a slithly redish spot above his head that looks as if a scale was scraped off. Also after looking more closely with the camera, his right fin has a slight spot on it and there are possible signs of tail-rot.

New/larger Pics (click to expand):












Do I need to isolate the fish? Tank now (just added the other day) includes some mollys, platys, 2 algae eaters and zebra danio.

 

[WILDER]

Its a bacterial infection.
With the finrot a secondary bacterial infection hardier to cure, get going fast with a bacterial med.
Increase aeration in the tank as the med reduces 02 in the water.
Remove black carbon if you use it.
Good luck.

 

[mach430]

Its a bacterial infection.
With the finrot a secondary bacterial infection hardier to cure, get going fast with a bacterial med.
Increase aeration in the tank as the med reduces 02 in the water.
Remove black carbon if you use it.
Good luck.

Thank you for your help. What medication do you suggest? Will this wipe out all the good bacteria in the tank as well? If yes, should I continue to add Stability or wait until the course of antibiotics is complete? What should the temp be at? I'm roughly 76-78.

Thanks!

 

[WILDER]

What antibiotic have you been using and how long, as they can wipe the beneifical baceria out completely.
The temp fine.

 

[mach430]

I haven't been using any. Recommendations?

 

[WILDER]

I see sorry tired.
What country are you living in as it helps to know which med you can get.

 

[mach430]

I see sorry tired.
What country are you living in as it helps to know which med you can get.

California, USA.

We have local large chain stores such as PetCo, Petsmart, and the occasional specialty fish store.

 

[WILDER]

You can buy antibiotics but some of them will wipe the beneifical bacteria colony out in your filter so best to issolate when using the likes of tetracycline.
Maracyn one and two, or maracyn plus, I think some members from the states have said that maracyn can knock your water stats so keep an eye on them.
Good luck.
http/www.aquatichobbyaquariumsupply.com/...ia_p/ma0193.htm

 

[mach430]

Great, thank you. Should I follow these instructions:

Add one capful (10ml) per 10 gallons of water. Treat on days 1,3,and 5. Use as soon as the first signs of disease are noted. Treated water may appear cloudy at first due to the presence of the microscopic spheres; 30 minutes to 1 hour after treatment all cloudiness is gone. Maintain normal filtration and air.
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Or do you think that a longer treatment time may be required?
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Thanks,
Ben

 

[WILDER]

Thats fine always follow the instructions.
Sometimes it is best to do two rounds of the med to make sure it has cleared up and gone for good.
Increase aeration.

 

[mach430]

Would MelaFix or Pima Fix wipe out the good bacteria as well? Are these as effective?

Thank you very much for all of your help!

 

[WILDER]

Melafix and pimafix is no good on what your fish has.Melafix is only good on cuts and wounds.You can add melafix with bacterial meds.The fish has already got secondary infections and fish are hard to save when this happens, so no melafix.