Hey all! New Betta owner here; I got my male Betta (his name is Pax) from the pet store yesterday. Have had him as well as the tank for about 24 hours now. There are two white dots on him but it doesn’t look like ich to me, though it very well could be. One white dot on each eye, almost symmetrical. I used pre-conditioned betta water in a 5 gallon tank, and just installed a heater and thermometer. Since that was only a few hours ago the temp is only at 73 degrees but rising slowly. He is lethargic and fins are clamped, but he ate fine when I fed him breakfast (3-4 pellets of Top Fin color enhancing pellets). His tank is filtered, and the tank as well as all gravel and decorations were rinsed thoroughly with HOT water before being placed. I’ve provided some pics of both Pax and his tank. I would like to know asap what this is and how I can treat it. Any and all help is beyond appreciated!!
foxgirl158
Fishaholic
Did you cycle your tank?
What are the water parameters? (Ammonia, nitrite, ect)
What are the water parameters? (Ammonia, nitrite, ect)
Hi and welcome to the forum 
This is not a disease and it does not need medication. The fish is covered in excess mucous that is caused by something in the water irritating the fish.
Normally we recommend people set the tank up and let it run for a bit before adding fish.
Did you use a clean bucket for washing the gravel and other ornaments?
I would reduce feeding to once every couple of days and do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate 4-8 hours after feeding.
Make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank.
You can also get an ammonia and nitrite test kit and monitor the aquarium water. Do a 75% water change any day there is an ammonia or nitrite reading above 0ppm, or a nitrate reading above 20ppm.
Make sure you don't have any cream, soap, residue from disinfectant wipes, perfume or anything else on your hands. Try to avoid using soaps with perfumes in because these can also leave a residue on the skin that affects fish.
Do a 75% water change today too. See how he goes over the next few days.
This is not a disease and it does not need medication. The fish is covered in excess mucous that is caused by something in the water irritating the fish.
Normally we recommend people set the tank up and let it run for a bit before adding fish.
Did you use a clean bucket for washing the gravel and other ornaments?
I would reduce feeding to once every couple of days and do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate 4-8 hours after feeding.
Make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank.
You can also get an ammonia and nitrite test kit and monitor the aquarium water. Do a 75% water change any day there is an ammonia or nitrite reading above 0ppm, or a nitrate reading above 20ppm.
Make sure you don't have any cream, soap, residue from disinfectant wipes, perfume or anything else on your hands. Try to avoid using soaps with perfumes in because these can also leave a residue on the skin that affects fish.
Do a 75% water change today too. See how he goes over the next few days.
Thank you so much! I at first was wondering if it might be ich but seeing as it’s literally only his eyes, I figured it’s probably something else. Would changing the water already hurt? Since he has only been in the tank for a day. And yes, that is my fault I did not cycle the tank ahead of time. I wasn’t aware to do so until it was too late. I had let it run for a few hours beforehand but not a day+.Hi and welcome to the forum
This is not a disease and it does not need medication. The fish is covered in excess mucous that is caused by something in the water irritating the fish.
Normally we recommend people set the tank up and let it run for a bit before adding fish.
Did you use a clean bucket for washing the gravel and other ornaments?
I would reduce feeding to once every couple of days and do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate 4-8 hours after feeding.
Make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank.
You can also get an ammonia and nitrite test kit and monitor the aquarium water. Do a 75% water change any day there is an ammonia or nitrite reading above 0ppm, or a nitrate reading above 20ppm.
Make sure you don't have any cream, soap, residue from disinfectant wipes, perfume or anything else on your hands. Try to avoid using soaps with perfumes in because these can also leave a residue on the skin that affects fish.
Do a 75% water change today too. See how he goes over the next few days.
A plant cycle usually takes a few days.
Ammonia cycling can take 3 weeks
And fish-in cycling I do not know how long it takes...
Fish in cycling is not the recommended method but a lot of times it has to be done due to adding fish too soon... Everyone makes mistakes. I did the same thing with my bettas when I got it. Since you joined this forum I think you might be able to save your betta. Do as others have suggested and do a large water change and don't forget to add water conditioner. Make sure that your water doesn't have chloromines though, because sometimes you need a special conditioner for that. I use API aqua essentials. Others just use seachem prime.
Oh, I almost forgot... Welcome to the forum!
Ammonia cycling can take 3 weeks
And fish-in cycling I do not know how long it takes...
Fish in cycling is not the recommended method but a lot of times it has to be done due to adding fish too soon... Everyone makes mistakes. I did the same thing with my bettas when I got it. Since you joined this forum I think you might be able to save your betta. Do as others have suggested and do a large water change and don't forget to add water conditioner. Make sure that your water doesn't have chloromines though, because sometimes you need a special conditioner for that. I use API aqua essentials. Others just use seachem prime.
Oh, I almost forgot... Welcome to the forum!
It should be fine to do a partial water change. just make sure you use a clean container that hasn't had any chemicals or anything else in. And dechlorinate the new water before adding it to the tank.
On a side note, the tank in the pictures does not appear to have any open surface. Labyrinth fishes like Bettas & gouramis need access to the air. They can breath underwater but they also like to be able to take in air from the surface. If you can, I would remove the top part of the tank so it is just a normal aquarium, and have a coverglass on top. Have the water level down a few inches from the top.
On a side note, the tank in the pictures does not appear to have any open surface. Labyrinth fishes like Bettas & gouramis need access to the air. They can breath underwater but they also like to be able to take in air from the surface. If you can, I would remove the top part of the tank so it is just a normal aquarium, and have a coverglass on top. Have the water level down a few inches from the top.
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