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Betta Help!

Redbetta123

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Sep 23, 2013
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Hello, I need help diagnosing what my betta may have!

Tank size: 5g
Filtered
Water change every 7-10 days
Temp 75-80 (heater)
Light
Lots of plant for hiding

My betta was always really active and moving for the first month or so I had it but now it's fins are clamped together and it just stays at the top and doesn't move much. There is a little bit of white under its mouth not much at all and it's not spots it's a little patch. I bought betta fix today and am going to try that. Any other suggestions? Also will betta fix be harmfully to the tank mates?
 
What are the water parameters? How did you cycle the tank? Tank mates? Did you add anything recently such as new fish or chemicals? Can you get a picture of your betta?
If I remember correctly you should not use anything ending in "fix" for bettas as it contains some sort of oil that coats their labyrinth organ
 
I cycled my tank for a week before adding any fish, it had been in the tank with a few corys since I first got it, there was no problem there. Recently added 2 black phantom tetras no idea if that would effect it. Also snails started appearing I my tank since I took out my live plant. They must have had eggs in the roots. There are quite a few now in the tank.
This is my betta
For some reason it won't post from my phone, I will post a picture from my computer when I am home.
 
You have a few problems, the filter isn't cycled so can't cope with the amount of waste & you are overstocked, 5 gallons is nowhere near big enough for corys & phantom tetras, the Betta would be fine on his own.
I would guess at ammonia poisoning.
You should think about rehoming the corys & tetras & start doing daily water changes.
You could also do with a liquid test kit such as the Api one to monitor your water
 
I agree with the other posters that your tank is too small for the fish you have (how many cories, btw?) and that you need to get your water tested for ammonia and nitrite ASAP.
 
I will say though, that a lot of tetras (including 'peaceful' ones, like black phantoms and neons) can be very nippy if not in an appropriately sized shoal; that means at least six, which you don't have room for in your little tank, so it could have been them that have injured your betta.
 
Thank you all for the help, this means a lot as I am new and learning still about aquatic care. I will get my water tested ASAP, if the levels are off, what is the next step to making the normal? And I have 2 corys. I will most defiantly get a bigger tank ASAP. For the time being would you recommend I continue putting betta fix in my tank or no? Thank you.
 
It does sound like ammonia poisoning! Do a large (like 80%) water change and make sure that the new water has been dechlorinated. Get your water tested at the fish shop but DON'T buy what they recommend; just get the results and then post what they are. I am not clued up about snails but I hear that they can produce a fair bit of waste, so a colony of them might be causing problems. You won't know until you get the test results as to what's happening in your tank.
 
I would recommend you isolate your betta in a medical tank; this can just be a 4 litre (clean!) icecream container with a lid. Use the same tank water initially to avoid shock; your first water change later in the day will clear the water appropriately. Do NOT use bettafix, the oil in it is not good for them. Best solution is to make sure his water is warm and crystal clean.
 
Keep him in a warmer area so he doesn't get cold and you can always use a heating pad. If there are white dots, he probably has ich, and the easiest solution for treating it is heat and salt. Salt about 3 teaspoons of plain table salt into 4 litres and ideally keep him at a comfortable temperature of around 27 degrees C and if your betta can manage it comfortable, up to 30 degrees C. Up the temp and salt slowly so you don't stress him further (about 1 degree per hour). This will help kill the ich and speed up their life/death cycle. Do a 100% water change (And resalt) daily. It won't do him any harm to do this procedure and if it is ich it will clear it up in a day or two. You should see him perk up pretty quickly. It will however take at least a week to completely clear at 30 degrees C.
 
You should also treat your tank for ich as it will be swimming around, but check salt tolerance of your other fish first and the snails. The temperature increase if your fish will tolerate it along with lots of water changes will do the heavy work in removing the ich; the salt helps stop further infections of the areas bared by the ich.
 
Good luck
smile.png
 
Thank you so much, I got my water tested and yes the amonia was high I did an 80% water change and isolated my betta I hope this works. Thanks for all the help, much appreciated!!!
 

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