Betta losing the scales on his back

[Stacey1990]

Hi, hoping someone could help.
I've had my betta for roughly 1 year now and he's done great ever since I got him.
I was on holiday last week and a neighbour (who also has fish) offered to call in a couple of times to give him a few pellets and top up the tank if needed.
When I got back back I noticed the temp in the tank had dropped as the water hadn't been topped up, I think this is relevant. Anyway, when I got back I noticed his colour had changed on his back.
My thought are, because the temp dropped in the tank, maybe he has been cuddled near the heater and maybe burned himself? But it seems to be spreading more down his back. I could be totally wrong here.
I've tested my water and levels are normal, I've done 1 water change since returning on Friday.
I've attached a couple of pics. Is my best course of action just to make sure water is clean? Or any other suggestions?
Tia

 

[Colin_T]

How is the fish?
If the pale patch on its back hasn't gotten worse, then just keep doing water changes and hope it recovers.

If the pale patch has gotten worse, post more pictures.

 

[Stacey1990]

He seems ok, maybe a little less active than usual. He's eating fine and is reactive when he sees me.
I think defo think the pale patch has worsened, the pics aren't great as he isn't cooperating lol.

 

[Colin_T]

It is worse now. This would suggest a bacterial infection and a broad spectrum medication or something that treats bacteria is probably the best course of action. In the UK antibiotics aren't going to be available so a medication like Waterlife Myxazin (or something that treats bacteria and fungus) is probably the next choice.

Before you treat the tank, wipe the inside of the glass down, clean the filter, do a big (75-80%) water change and gravel clean the substrate.
Make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank.

Remove carbon from the filter before treating with chemicals or it will adsorb the medication and stop it working.

Increase aeration/ surface turbulence when using medications because they decrease the oxygen level in the water.

---------------------

To work out the volume of water in the tank:
measure length x width x height in cm.
divide by 1000.
= volume in litres.

When you measure the height, measure from the top of the substrate to the top of the water level.

If you have big rocks or driftwood in the tank, remove these before measuring the height of the water level so you get a more accurate water volume.

You can use a permanent marker to draw a line on the tank at the water level and put down how many litres are in the tank at that level.

There is a calculator/ converter in the "FishForum.net Calculator" under "Useful Links" at the top right of this page that will let you convert litres to gallons if you need it.

Calculator

 

[Stacey1990]

Thank you, I will get some ordered.

So is this looking like a bacterial infection? He's done great all this time, it's so annoying

 

[Colin_T]

If it's a burn then it shouldn't spread.
If it's bacterial it will usually spread quickly (within a few days).
It doesn't appear to be protozoan and isn't fungal.

 

[Stacey1990]

It is worse now. This would suggest a bacterial infection and a broad spectrum medication or something that treats bacteria is probably the best course of action. In the UK antibiotics aren't going to be available so a medication like Waterlife Myxazin (or something that treats bacteria and fungus) is probably the next choice.

Before you treat the tank, wipe the inside of the glass down, clean the filter, do a big (75-80%) water change and gravel clean the substrate.
Make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank.

Remove carbon from the filter before treating with chemicals or it will adsorb the medication and stop it working.

Increase aeration/ surface turbulence when using medications because they decrease the oxygen level in the water.

---------------------

To work out the volume of water in the tank:
measure length x width x height in cm.
divide by 1000.
= volume in litres.

When you measure the height, measure from the top of the substrate to the top of the water level.

If you have big rocks or driftwood in the tank, remove these before measuring the height of the water level so you get a more accurate water volume.

You can use a permanent marker to draw a line on the tank at the water level and put down how many litres are in the tank at that level.

There is a calculator/ converter in the "FishForum.net Calculator" under "Useful Links" at the top right of this page that will let you convert litres to gallons if you need it.

Calculator

Hi Colin, the Waterlife Myxazin arrived this morning. One thing I forgot to ask is whether this product is safe to use with shrimp and snails? I've tried looking online but there doesn't seem to be a direct answer. Any idea?

 

[Essjay]

Myxazin has 3 ingredients and this is what I can find for them

Acriflavine - I can't find any reference to inverts for this one.

Formaldehyde - dangerous to invertebrates

Malachite green - not safe for sensitive fish or invertebrates.



It would appear that it can harm, if not kill, inverts.

 

[Stacey1990]

Myxazin has 3 ingredients and this is what I can find for them

Acriflavine - I can't find any reference to inverts for this one.

Formaldehyde - dangerous to invertebrates

Malachite green - not safe for sensitive fish or invertebrates.



It would appear that it can harm, if not kill, inverts.

Thanks for that, do you have any suggestions on similar product which would be shrimp and snails safe?

 

[Essjay]

Unfortunately most of the meds do affect inverts. eSHa say in their FAQs that eHSa 2000 is OK for use in freshwater aquariums containing shrimps but that it may kill aquatic snails.

What snails do you have? In the past I've moved nerites into a bucket with daily water changes during treatment. Since eSHa say 2000 is OK with shrimps, would it be possible to rehouse the snails temporarily? Then once treatment is over lots of water changes and carbon in the filter should remove the med before the snails are retuned to the tank.

 

[Stacey1990]

Unfortunately most of the meds do affect inverts. eSHa say in their FAQs that eHSa 2000 is OK for use in freshwater aquariums containing shrimps but that it may kill aquatic snails.

What snails do you have? In the past I've moved nerites into a bucket with daily water changes during treatment. Since eSHa say 2000 is OK with shrimps, would it be possible to rehouse the snails temporarily? Then once treatment is over lots of water changes and carbon in the filter should remove the med before the snails are retuned to the tank.

Yeah that's a good idea, I only have 1 nerite snail so wouldn't be difficult. I also have esha 2000 at home. Thanks

 

[Essjay]

If the shrimps show any signs of distress, do a very large water change to remove most of the med.

 

[Colin_T]

Have a bucket of tank water and if the shrimp or snail looks stressed, move them into the bucket of tank water.