Betta has popeye and possibly a different disease?

[Lillypad101]

My yellow butterfly dumbo male betta has popeye. I feel like something else is wrong though. He is in a 5 gallon split angle aquarium on the side without the filter intake. There was a male on the other side, along with some African dwarf frogs, but I removed them since he was sick. I’m new to this forum but have been fishkeeping for about 2 1/2 years now. I’ve never been great at identifying diseases, but this is particularly hard because he is showing symptoms of different diseases. He has black specks on his body (not very many), holes in his head (which were there when I got him 2 weeks ago, so might just be sensory related things), a swollen and cloudy eye (only one eye), and pine coming scales only on one side of his head (the side with the swollen eye). He is still eating, but cannot see anything it seems, so I feed him directly with tweezers. His tank is filtered and heated at 77 degrees. I just don’t know what medicines to use because I don’t know what’s wrong with him. He is laying at the bottom (not on his side) and won’t move for long periods of time.
Any and all advice appreciated!

 

[Endlersendlers]

Hi, you may want to look at this: https://www.fishkeepingfolks.com/hole-in-head-disease/?expand_article=1

 

[Endlersendlers]

I don’t think she’s pineconing like this yet but you are right that the scales are concerning. According to this, it can be a symptom of infection.

Understanding Betta Fish Pineconing: All You Need to Know About Dropsy - Majestic Fins

Betta Fish Pineconing is a symptom of Dropsy, a common bacterial infection that causes the fish's scales to stick out, giving them the appearance of a pinecone.

majesticfins.com

I’m inclined to think that infection is hexamite, also known as hole in the head disease. As a disclaimer, I’m not very experienced with the diseases either, mostly what I’m picking up on here, so someone else may (probably) knows more.

 

[Lillypad101]

Thank you for the input! When I checked on him today, his eye looked less swollen and his scales had smoothed out. Those holes in his head are still there though.

 

[Endlersendlers]

That article on hole in head disease does talk about treatment if you scroll down far enough. There’s a lot of white space and ads but it’s there.

 

[Lillypad101]

Reading the article you sent, I may try something like Kordon Malachite Green and formalin? Supposed to treat parasites.

 

[Endlersendlers]

I hope it helps and wish I knew more to guide you. He’s a pretty little fish.

Edited for gender. Don’t know how I did that, really.

 

[Lillypad101]

Thanks for your help and the article! Will update soon.