Another Sick Betta

Assaye

Fish Gatherer
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Jun 24, 2009
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Location
York, UK
Tank size: 14 L Q/T, became sick in 30 litre divided
pH: 7.8 (hard water area, this is stable)
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 10
kH: Hard
gH: Hard
tank temp: 27C

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):

Acute lethargy, heavy breathing, fairly unreactive to surroundings, tattered fins (but no signs of actual fungal or bacterial finrot), erratic movements. No loss of colour, as far as I can tell, but he's white so . . . The only weird thing I can think of (apart from the usual "ugh, I feel ill" behavior) is that he has tiny holes in his head. I can't work out if they are meant to be there and you just don't see them on coloured fish, or if these are bad. Some are larger than others and they kind of look like pores - quite natural and smooth.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: 25% a week, more in Q/T to maintain freshwater flow

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank:

Biological and chemical media only, some aquarium salt

Tank inhabitants:

None in Q/T, another betta in divided tank. Other betta seems fine, apart from the fact that he (like all my bettas) has managed to tear his fins. They all do it - every single betta I own manages to get tatty fins within a couple of months. I have no sharp decor - just smooth caves and silk plants. How do they do it?

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration):

I set up the entire Q/T tank recently so put all the decor and gravel in from storage. All was washed and sterilised before being added. In his proper tank, the only new addition was the other betta but I've had him for a couple of months (or longer) now and he seems fine.

Exposure to chemicals:

Unknown
 
The tiny holes in its head sounds worrying mate. Might be HLLE (Head and Lateral Line Erosion) I don't know if Betta's can suffer from this but might be something to look into. Here is a link that might help: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_and_lateral_line_erosion

I had a Betta once and his fins went ragged as well. It was down to a combination of bad water quality and stress. Anyway I wish you the best with it and hope you get it sorted.
 
We think we've worked out that they are sensory pores - they're too neat and clean to be something sinister. It's probably just his colour that makes them so obvious.

Trying to decide between anti-internal bacteria meds and anti-internal parasite meds, as there are no external symptoms other than ragged fins. He doesn't have fin-rot - no blackness, redness or cotton wool fungus. it's probably just his fins getting delicate from stress. He's not feeling well and I'm learning that bettas really don't like the local water.

He's gone downhill so fast today - I think I might lose him over night =(
 
Anti-bacterial

My betta is suffering from finrot or a decay, just keeps coming back, even though his water tests are fine.

Is your betta a VT by any chance?
 
He's a HMPK. Lovely male, here's a photo:

whiteboy.jpg


Obviously that was from when he was healthy.

He's not at all well - just lying on the bottom, breathing heavily. He did come up for a couple of pellets which is a good sign, but I'm not confident he'll make it.
 
id only feed him every other day. and give him loads of bloodworms. high protein is better than most pellets, especially when fins are the issue.
is he bloated at all? having trouble maintaining balance/boyancy? have you seen his poo? scratching on things?
he certainly is beautiful. i just got a dragon HMPK spade tail. very rare in my parts and the price was right.
shame hes sick. keep up on those waterchanges. might be good to lower the temp a degree or 2 C if the heater allows.
keep us posted.
cheers
 
Wow stunning fish!!! Maybe try using Melafix as it is all natural instead of using strong meds. Melafix dosnt damage filter or plants or anything and will also act as a feel good tonic for the fish plus helping to repair any damaged fins. I have used this to great affect and always have a supply just incase.
 
id only feed him every other day. and give him loads of bloodworms. high protein is better than most pellets, especially when fins are the issue.
is he bloated at all? having trouble maintaining balance/boyancy? have you seen his poo? scratching on things?
he certainly is beautiful. i just got a dragon HMPK spade tail. very rare in my parts and the price was right.
shame hes sick. keep up on those waterchanges. might be good to lower the temp a degree or 2 C if the heater allows.
keep us posted.
cheers

Temp is about 27 atm. You think 25 would be OK? I worry that he'll get chilly.

He's had three pellets in the last two days and three bits of brineshrimp soaked in garlic the day before. I have some bloodworms - will try those on him today. He does look a little bloated today but he is pooing and it looks fairly normal.

Not sure about boyancy - he's just lying on the bottom on his side :-( he seems able to balance when he swims up for air but his movements are erratic, although I'm not sure this ia boyancy issue.

Not scratching.

Wow stunning fish!!! Maybe try using Melafix as it is all natural instead of using strong meds. Melafix dosnt damage filter or plants or anything and will also act as a feel good tonic for the fish plus helping to repair any damaged fins. I have used this to great affect and always have a supply just incase.

Melafix has been known to cause pretty catastrophic results with labyrinth fish (such as instant death and rapid deterioration) and I wouldn't ever use it with a betta.
 
intrepid antibacterial and fin rot is good, I use in with my VT and it works instantly, then when you can see it's stopped, use stress coat.

25c is fine for a betta x
 
intrepid antibacterial and fin rot is good, I use in with my VT and it works instantly, then when you can see it's stopped, use stress coat.

25c is fine for a betta x

I'm using a rather chaotic mix of Sera Nematol and Myxazin. It looked like he wouldn't make it through the night so it's my last ditch attempt to cover all bases. Both are lower than normal doses and I know I shouldn't mix meds but I've had this happen several times before and was cursed because I didn't act aggressively enough. He's been in the mix for about 36 hours now and he isn't getting worse, although he isn't getting better either.
 
He's spending 30 seconds or so swimming around evey 30 minutes or so. Bless him. He's getting some garlic soaked bloodworms in the morning if he's well enough to eat.
 

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