Patchy Or Peeling Betta

[iankent]

Hi everyone - got home from work today and noticed one of my bettas has what looks like skin peeling off him, only in very small areas at the moment. Anyone able to identify what it is or recommend what course of action?

Tank is 40L, fully fishless cycled before the betta went in about a month ago. Water temp is 26deg. He's the only fish in there, though it is also home to about 200 tiny snails. Water stats are:
pH - 7.6
Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 5ppm
(they've stayed constant since adding the betta)

Last water change was a 40% change on Saturday.

You can just about see what I mean in this pic (the glass could do with a bit of a clean though!):

Netty has just suggested it might be Columnaris - some of the symptoms do match quite well. If it is, its developing very slowly and doesn't appear to be causing any rapid breathing etc. as yet. The article I've just read (http/freshaquarium.about.com/cs/disease/p/columnaris.htm) suggests adding aquarium salt as a treatment and preventative - can betta tolerate salt?

Any suggestions? Thanks,
Ian

 

[Colin_T]

It looks like excess mucous and that is normally caused by poor water quality or some sort of irritant in the water. Perhaps do a 50% water change and see if it improves. If it doesn't then I would say it is chilodonella or something along those lines.

It isn't columnaris.

Bettas can tolerate salt.

 

[iankent]

It looks like excess mucous and that is normally caused by poor water quality or some sort of irritant in the water. Perhaps do a 50% water change and see if it improves. If it doesn't then I would say it is chilodonella or something along those lines.

It isn't columnaris.

Bettas can tolerate salt.

Thanks Colin - just done a 50% water change so will wait to see how he is tomorrow. would you recommend using salt in the water? and if so, how much should I add?

 

[Colin_T]

if you want to add salt then use about 1 heaped tablespoon per 20litres of water.