New Here

[Noana]

Hello everybody. I'm new (to the forums & to the aquarium world), and had a couple of questions. I bought a betta five days ago, and now he is sick. I think he has parasites--maybe velvet--because he is darting around and trying to scratch up against the gravel. But I don't see any white spots on him. The top of his has darkened. I have him in one of those little tanks that are less than 1/2 a gallon (didn't do my research first). So I've bought a new 1gal tank and some Quick Cure from Wal-Mart. Do you all think this medication will cure his problem, and how often should I change his water during the treatment? I'm thinking that I want him completely recovered before putting him in the new tank. Also, do bettas do well with air pumps?

 

[WILDER]

Any rust colour or yellow to golden dusting on him, try a salt bath on him and add some salt to his bowl, where has he darkened in colour as sometimes they can also get bacteria infections on top of parasites.

 

[AlexsDaddy]

Shine a flash light or a bright light on him and if you see tiny golden/copperish colored flecks on him, then it is Velvet. Daily salt dips (4 tablespoons aquarium salt/gallon of water) for no more then 30 minutes at a time will help if it is that. Also raise his temp up to 86F. That will speed up the life cycle of the Velvet to get it to it's treatable stage quicker. Quick Cure can be used for Velvet, but if it's a heavy infestation, something stronger may be needed. Good luck with him!

Edited to add: to the forums!!

 

[BettaMomma]

Welcome!
I don't have too much to add to what's already been suggested.

Do check him for velvet.
Good luck, keep us posted!

 

[Noana]

Thanks for the quick replies. I've checked him over and over with the flashlight, and see a little bit of yellowish color on his head, but not gold or rust flecks. When I bought him, his body was light pink with purple/blue/red fins. Now the top of his head has darkened to almost purplish/red. He looks to be itching terribly. Poor thing. I put a little bit of Quick Cure in his tank already--less than one drop since it said 1 drop per gallon.

 

[Bettabelieveit]

If you can -- get him a larger tank and a heater (a tank the heater would fit in, there are some small heaters) and have the heater up to about 85 or so, and add some salt, even a little extra (doc welfish's aquarium salt) that works wonders for this kind of things.

 

[WILDER]

http/www.mushi.petfish.net/velvet.html

 

[WILDER]

If he's really infested as he sounds like he is, a good old salt bath will do him the world of good.
http/ukdiscus.com/ken_thomson_salt.htm

 

[BettaMomma]

The red stuff is usually blood spots from the bites of whatever's infesting him.
Warm temps and parasite meds would be great.

 

[Noana]

Just thought I'd give a little update. It's day 2 of the Quick Cure treatment, and he seems to be doing much better. I changed his water this morning, and he's been swimming back and forth across the tank all day. There are little bubbles forming at the top of the water again. I hope he builds another bubble nest like when I first got him home. His new 1 gallon tank is all set up and waiting. Does anyone know if his head will go back to its original color, though?

 

[OrkyBetta]

Some bettas change color when in better water. If it looks just like color and not parasites, then it isn't a problem.