One of the most common mistakes one could make when treating betta fish is in accurately determining the right dose. It’s essential that you know the level of water should be in the fish tank so you can give the precise amount of medicine. These are some of the signs to look for in sick Bettas; decreased appetite, fins clamped to the sides, scraping body on rocks, abdominal swelling, inflamed or discolored skin or fins, loss of appetite for extended periods of time, lethargic and frequently hiding, dull coloring, especially in males, tattered fins with black edges, white growths on body or mouth, swimming abnormally, labored breathing, clamped fins, and bloated.
Description: Visible crustacean parasite that feeds and lays eggs on Betta fish
Type: External Parasites Contagious: Yes
Treatment
Description: Parasites will breed and lash onto any part of your Betta such as the gills, fins, or body.
Type: External Parasites Contagious: Yes
Treatment
Description: Small localized white patche often confused with columnaris, ich, or body slime.
Type: Protozoan Contagious: Yes
Treatment
Description: Highly visible parasites will lash onto your Betta’s skin
Type: Parasitic Contagious: Yes
Treatment
Description: Yellow spots will be found on the body and/or fins of your Betta. Very hard to detect on Yellowish/Gold colored Bettas. Number one killer of betta fish. Make sure to treat the entire fish tank, fish net, and other tools thoroughly. Keep Betta in fish tank in a dark place during treatment to accelerate recovery.
Type: Parasitic Contagious: Yes
Treatment
Description: Characterized by an over production of mucus coating
Type: Parasitic Contagious: No
Treatment
Description: Believed to be caused by Hexamita or poor water conditions
Type: Parasite Contagious: No
Treatment
There are two main ways that you can treat your betta. You can either medicate his food, or the water in the tank. In both cases, however, the first thing you should do when you spot any symptoms of illness is moving him to a quarantine tank.
Medicating a tank will affect all living things. Including any fish, plants or bacteria in the tank. So it’s always wise to set up a quarantine tank.
Treating your Betta with food
To treat your betta with food, all you have to do is medicate it before you feed it to him. You should ask a professional about dosages and routine as there are a lot of circumstances that can change the doses.
Although it’s not likely, sometimes your betta will still be eating when he’s suffering from hole in the head. If he is then it normally means that he’s still in the early stages and treatment is more likely to be successful.
Treating the Water
If your betta isn’t eating, then the only other alternative is to treat the water.
If you plan on treating the water it’s even more important that you move your betta to a quarantine tank, as the medicine will spread everywhere.
Once you’ve moved your betta to a quarantine tank you should begin medicating the water. As a general guide, it’s recommended you use 125 mg per 5 gallons of water. However, you should ALWAYS consult a vet or professional beforehand to get the measurements exact. Otherwise, you could end up killing your betta.
Description: White spots will be found on the body and/or fins of your Betta. Very hard to detect on white colored Bettas. Very sensitive to temperature, therefore when you use a heater; increase the temperature of the tank to eighty five Fahrenheit.
Type: Parasitic Contagious: Yes
Treatment
Description: best treated this is through medicated fish food
Type: Parasitic Contagious: Yes
Treatment
Description: Best treated with medicated food
Type: Parasitic Contagious: Yes
Treatment
Description: Usually introduced with the addition of live plants or snails
Type: Parasitic Contagious: Yes
Treatment
Description: Blood poisoning when infection enters the blood. Septicemia is not a disease but rather a symptom of the infection.
Type: Bacterial Contagious: No
Treatment
Description: Red/Black edges along the infected areas. Normally due to filthy water or a dirty fish tank. Usually the lost parts of fin or tail will generate.
Type: Bacterial Contagious: No
Treatment
Description: This is the only fish disease known to be contagious to man. It can be as long as six months prior to show any symptoms of infections. Unfortunately, not just is there no known treatment, but it is very spreadable, lethal to nearly all other sea life, and hard to get rid of. Even using bleach can’t sanitize against it. You will most likely need to dispose of your bowl, tank, net as well as all other gears.
Type: Bacterial Contagious: Yes
Treatment
Description: Bacterial infection of the eyes. Your fish will usually make a complete recovery, however it is likely your fish loses his eye when you notice it too late. If popeye is presented in only one eye, it’s mostly due to injury and not a bacterial infection. Salt baths and 100% daily water changes are recommended.
Type: Bacterial Contagious: No
Treatment
Description: Caused by stressful environment or unmaintained water. This diseases causes ragging, fraying of fins that can lead to lesions or ulcers, scales, fins, and gills discoloration. Betta fish can experience difficulty in breathing due to gill infection.
Type: Bacterial Contagious: Yes
Treatment
Description: Cotton like growth on fish/eggs
Type: Fungal Contagious: Yes
Treatment
Description: Organ failure caused by viral diseases, parasites, and/or bacterial disease. Believed to come from giving your fish with contaminated live food, like for instance black worms. A bacterium which spreads this disease is infectious so ensure to separate the sick fish. Sad to say, there is no cure available
Type: Symptom Contagious: Maybe
Treatment
Description: Build-up of cells and inflammation of gills as result of bad water conditions or toxins.
Type: Symptom Contagious: Maybe
Treatment
Description: Caused by Overfeeding/Constipation or internal parasites.
Type: Ailment Contagious: No
Treatment
Description: Contrary to popular belief not all tumors are genetic especially benign ones which are caused by mutation during cell replication. Benign tumors won’t grow or migrate unlike other tumors. Tumors can be seen on the outside of the skin. If the tumor is growing internally, swelling and protrusion will be visible.
Type: Possibly Genetics Contagious: No
Treatment
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