Betta w/ some nasty fungus

[abe]

One of my poor little betta girls seems to have a nasty case of fungus. I think it's been close to a month & it just keeps coming back. I put her in her own 10g, and dropped in a fizzy tab (Jungle Fungus Clear), that didn't seem to work after a week or so. So I cleared that out & tried Complete Remedy, which looked like it was working, it made the cotton looking part go away & she was left w/ a white spot where it was. But today the fuzzy stuff is back!

I'm using salt too, is there anything else I could try?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Are you doing water changes and have you removed the carbon (if it's there)?

Unfortunately, the "manual of fish health" just says to get the medicine and isolate the problem. I'd say hang in there and continually give the medicines until the problem goes away (and then some to make sure it doesn't come back).

 

[Tempestuousfury]

The pinned article in the beginner's section also suggest raising the temp to about 30C...

 

[abe]

Yeah I took the carbon out & I have been doing water changes. It says treat for 10 days & then you can retreat after a water change, so I have done that. She acts healthy at least, just a little fuzzy.

My water is around 76F, & if I use a heater it goes to 82+

 

[purple_drazi]

shh! don't tell anyone cause I'll get in trouble but I went to: http/www.bettatalk.com/betta_diseases.htm and found this for you.

DISEASE: FUNGAL INFECTION

GENERAL INFO: If you always add aquarium salt to your betta’s water (1 teaspoon of aquarium salt per 2 1/2 Gal of water) and one drop of Aquarisol per gal, your betta will probably never get fungus. It is contagious, but bettas will more than likely recover if treated promptly.
SYMPTOMS: Betta has white cottony like patches on its body or head. He may be less active, may have stopped eating, fins may be clumped, color may be pale.
TREATMENT: Do a full jar water change. Add “Fungus Eliminator” by Jungle. These are crystals are dosage should be about 30-40 grains per 1/2 gal. Water should have a nice gold color, not too dark. Do not overmedicate! Change water every third day and add a new dose of same medication. Continue until all fungus has disappeared. Then keep betta jarred for another 2 weeks at least and instead of Fungus Eliminator, just add 1 drop of maroxy or of Methylene Blue in your betta’s water to clean any other bacteria/fungus that may still be present. Adding salt to the water would also help healing.

hope that helps.

 

[cation]

Sounds like columnaris. I'd get an antibiotic going asap.


"Columnaris Information and Symptoms

Although Columnaris it is commonly mistaken for a fungal problem, it is NOT a fungus, it is caused by Flexibacter bacteria. Columnaris can be particularly difficult to diagnose as there are many symptoms associated with it.

Symptoms can include:

White, gray or clear stringy-looking "fungus" hanging off the betta's body or fins. Again, this is not actually fungus, but the Flexibacter bacteria.
White or gray patches that look like mold or a slime covering, usually on the body (and most commonly around the dorsal area).
White "pimples," generally around the chin and mouth area.
White or gray tufts of "fungus" (often looks like cotton candy) anywhere on the body, but especially around the mouth, gills, or edges of scales.
Lesions anywhere on the body, generally beginning in the dorsal area. Redness and swelling are not uncommon.
In the later stages of infection, the bacteria will begin to eat away at the fish's scales, often leaving behind a red or brown looking bloody area surrounded by fungusy-looking tufts of bacteria.
The Betta may also have clear, stringy feces and may be lacking appetite."

From here


One of my bettas had a reoccuring problem with this, because I was treating with antifungal and seemed to get better. This was a "remission" effect and the problem would always reoccur, until I realized he had this and treated with antibiotics.. Not all of these symptoms will present - mine just had "fungus" that would fall off after a while and leave a white spot.

 

[abe]

Why didn't I think of going there? ah well, Thanks! The Jungle stuff I have has worked great the other times I have used it, I dunno why not this time though. But it's hard to dose for anything smaller than a 10g (you have to chop up the tabs), so I think I'll pick those things soon.

 

[abe]

awe I hope its just fungus

I don't think she has any of the other syptoms though

 

[cation]

Sounds like what my guy had. If you find the problem persists, you might want to give an antibiotic a try. Columnaris is called "body fungus" and "mouth fungus" for a reason - that's what it looks like.

 

[abe]

I'll pick up some of the meds that article on Columnaris recomended then, I hope it works!

 

[f250fisherman]

It could be Columnaris, but I think it would spread more if it was. I think it is a fungus, but the meds didn't do the trick. Partially because of the length of time between meds, and not getting a constant water change. I would use Maroxy, and do a 100% water change daily. Reapply the med. When the fungus is gone, continue to treat for 3-4 days.
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[cation]

It doesn't always spread. In the case of my guy, it was a spot that looked like a cold sore - he never got anything except the spot by his mouth, which would bloom, then recede.

I would still advise at least backing up your fungal rtreatment with an antibiotic - it's a good idea to fight off secondary infections anyway, which in a weakened fish will also be important.

 

[Inchworm]

It could be Columnaris, but I think it would spread more if it was. I think it is a fungus, but the meds didn't do the trick.

Columnaris is one of many bacteria that are usually present in a tank. It is when a fish's immune system has been compromised that it strikes. If the other fish are more healthy to begin with, they could resist the infection.

The reason it is likely to spread through a tank is because all the fish are usually subject to the same conditions. A dirty or overheated tank is likely to result in all the fish being weakened and likely victems or any contagious disease.

 

[f250fisherman]

I actually meant spread on the fish, rather than be on a solitary spot. Not spread to other fish. I agree, that other fish could resist the disease if not in a stressful condition.I really think it is a fungus, but It's not my fish. If it was, I'd use maroxy and do the water changes. I agree with the antibiotic, as long as the fish is strong.If it is in a weakened state from the stress,I'd be sure it needed the extra med.

 

[cation]

If it's in a weakened state, it will be even more susceptible to bacterial infection. However, perhaps in that case, some BettaMax might be in order. Not a super-strong antibiotic, but a decent propholactic one.