Need help with sick Betta

[vegasfishgirl]

My daughter's Betta, Bubbles is acting sick. He is only a few months old from a pet store. When we got him he was making bubble nests like crazy. My husband bought flake food which he didn't really like so I bought some pellets. Bubbles was very lethargic and not at the top of his bowl much, just hanging out at the bottom. My daughter thought he was loosing scales. So, we went to Pets Mart and bought BettaFix. We used the BettaFix as directed for 7 days and then changed the water.

When we changed the water, we purchased an acquarium with a filter and added acquarium salt. He seemed to perk up for about a week and now he is getting very lethargic again. He is not eating. I am wondering about constipation since he was trailing poop yesterday. In addition, he has a growing white spot on his right side, up over his back and on the left side. He seems to be turning grey and won't eat.

Please please please help!!! My 8 year old daughter is very,very very very sad.

[FishMomma]

First of all, I'm sorry about your daughter's sick Betta. I understand the trauma! The first thing you need to do if you have not done so already is check the levels of things in your tank. The pH, ammonia, nitrIte, and nitrAte levels all need to be checked. The brand API is a good testing brand. The ammonia and nitrIte levels should be kept at 0 (especially the ammonia). The pH levels for Betta fish should be around 6.8-7.0. If the pH isn't exactly at these levels the fish can adjust . . . a STABLE pH is the main thing. Did you cylce the tank before putting the fish in? If not, then you will see spikes in the amonia and nitrIte levels which will spike causing stress to the fish. After the tank starts to cycle (about 1 month) then those levels will start to stay at 0. Until then do at least a 25% water change when the levels are not at 0. Don't do anymore than a 50% water change as it will stress the fish even more. Another thing that can help stablize the water is Java MOSS which you usually have to purchase online. It basically lives off your fish's poo and helps keep the ammonia and nitrIte levels low. There is a company called Aquarium Garden online where it can be purchased. Also, what is the temp in your tank? The ideal temp for Bettas is around 78 degrees but anywhere in the 70s is fine as long as it is constant.

Since I cannot see the fish it is hard to say what the growing white spot is. Could you describe it a bit more or take a picture? White spots are usually fungal areas but without seeing the fish I can't really say. Along with the Bettafix add Pimafix which is the companion to the Bettafix. The Pimafix will treat any fungal infections naturally. Adding medication to the tank may cure the fish but will also kill off good bacteria that keep your ammonia and nitrite levels low. Going natural in treatment is always better. If you think the fish is constipated, feed him a COOKED, COOLED, and PEELED pea or two. It will act as a laxative for him. It does sound like your fish is ill but don't panic about the eating. Betta fish have been known to go for a month without eating. The Hikari Bio-Gold are the best food for Betta fish and lots of breeders use that. When feeding your fish place the pellets in a small amount of water for about 3 minutes then feed him several at a time. This keeps the food from enlarging inside the fish after he eats it which can cause other problems.

I hope some of this helps and that your fish recovers. By the way, what size is your tank?

[vegasfishgirl]

Thanks for the pointers. I will be doing a 25% replacement on the water.

The tank is 1.5 gallons with a filter. I take the filter part out when we are medicating and just let it oxygenate the water. I set it up and let it sit 24 hours per the instructions before adding the fish. I also added acquarium salt. I don't have a test kit to test levels so will have to purchase one.

I will try to get a picture of the white spot. Right now I don't have my camera at home. The best way to describe it is that there is an indentation of white forming behind the gills on each side and up over his top. In very simple terms he looks like he is breaking in half.

[FishMomma]

It is hard to say what the exact problem is with Bubbles, however I still am going with my initial instict that it is some sort of fungal issue. My understanding is that it is still a closed wound and that nothing internal is exposed. However, if it becomes an open sore then it could get infected with bacteria. My advice would be to certainly check levels in your water and then second to purchase some Methylene Blue at the pet shop. If any of the levels (pH, ammonia, nitrItes) are high or abnormal then that is only adding insult to injury. Since the fish is already sick something must be done to treat it. Methylene Blue is a good overall treatment for a lot of problems so purchase that and follow the directions for the specific brand. Also, adding the salt to the water is a good thing. Just the change in osmotic content will help. The main things salt does are to ward off diseases and decrease fish stress by acting as an irritant to the fish thus causing him to produce a "thicker" slimecoat which gives him more protection against any problems. Do remember that salt is not filtered our nor does it evaporate so you don't want to add too much salt. Don't add salt to the water at each water change either. If I have to add salt to my tanks for any reason, I do it at every other water change just so I don't "over salt" my fish.

You are doing the right things for Bubbles by adding the filter and salt so keep up the good work! Another thing to do is check the temp of the water. Bettas like their water around 78-80 degrees F but anything in the 70 range is okay. If you find the water is a bit chilly and add a heater, don't increase the temp of the water more than a degree or two every 2-3 hours. Bettas like warmer water but need time to adjust to temp changes. I hope some of this helps and that Bubbles recovers and is able to spend many more years with you!! Good luck! Let me know if I can answer any other questions.

[vegasfishgirl]

Bubbles went to fish heaven last night. I appreciate all of your help and assistance as we nursed him along.

Now, how do I sterilize the tank so that his replacement can be safe? I plan to set things up and get a new fish by the end of the week.

[FishMomma]

First of all, I am so sorry about Bubbles! It sounded like he was quite ill and I wondered how well he would do. You did a good job trying to make him well so don't feel bad.

Now on to your question. Let me first say that DON'T USE ANY TYPE OF CLOROX OR BLEACH PRODUCT ON THE TANK! The clorox will leave a residue that will kill a fish almost immediately since the residue is soooo hard if not impossible to get rinsed. Secondly, DO NOT USE ANY TYPE OF SOAP! The soap residue will kill them, too. Now, what you CAN use is vinegar (white, distilled). Use a small amount in the bottom of the tank with HOT water. Clean off all the sides, etc. then rinse it out VERY WELL with HOT water. That is how I have always cleaned my tanks after any sad stories that I used to have. It seems to always do the trick.

Some things you can/must do with a new or uncycled tank to help are test your water daily for pH, ammonia, and nitrIte levels. If there is any spike at all in the ammonia and nitrIte levels do a 25% water change to help decrease the stress on Mr. Betta. Try and keep your pH as stable as possible although smaller tanks are a bit harder to do this with. Add a piece or two of coral if you find that your pH levels go up and down or are low. Bettas like their pH around 6.8-7.0 but most importantly a stable pH. Be sure to add the stress coat and for new tanks the STRESS ZYME (by API) which will help introduce some good bacteria. The Java Moss is really the ticket for a new and small tank! You can purchase it from a place called Aquarium Garden online. Also, check out my link for the New Tank and the Nitrogen Cycle. They are 2 good articles. Good luck with everything and let me know if you have any other questions!