Sick Betta - Need Help

[Beaufish]

I have a Betta (Beau) who has several things wrong with him. Wednesday night around midnight I noticed one of his eyes were poping out. He looked fine that mourning. I had nothing here to help him, so I ventured out to the only place open that would have something ... Wal-Mart. I picked up some MelaFix (which was all they had besides stuff for ick). After about an hour or so, he started acting more normal. The next mourning I noticed something was wrong with his mouth (looked like flesh coming off it). I immediately went to PetsMart and picked up some salt and some Maracyn-Two. He looked and acted better the rest of the day. Friday night (around midnight once again) I noticed that he now has an open sore. I am stumped ... I do not know what this is or how to help him. Some say "100% water change" some are saying "let the medicine build up first". I do not know what to do. I do not want to stress him by changing the water. I have a very small tank (3-5 gallons) I have to net him to get him out. I do not know if I should allow the meds to build up. I cannot seem to get him to eat his usual pellets (must hurt his mouth or they are too big). I was able to get him to eat a couple of flakes and a brine shrimp (in jelly). Anyone have an idea of what this is or how to treat it? I have a pic to go with it, I do not know how well you will be able to see him. I welcome any and all suggestions.

 

[wuvmybetta]

Looks like gill flukes to me. Poor guy. You'll need to treat it with an anti-parasite and then follow up with a fungal treatment to prevent a secondary infection. Maracyn would be good for the second treatment but it doesn't treat parasites. Best of luck to both of you. I'm sure somebody here can recommend a good parasite med, I've never used one myself

Welcome to the forum!!

 

[superpenguin22]

Popeye and mouth and gill rot i think

 

[Synastic]

Oh, bummer that looks bad, I wish ya the best of luck. Keep us updated.

 

[jacblades]

well it looks like your bettas diseases are the product of bad water conditions. changing the water would be great. just acclimate him very slowly and add an extra squirt of slime-coat protector. float him in a bag and gradually add the new water (over a period of an hour or more). when you transfer him, dont pour any of the old water in. just make sure the med doses are the same in the new water though.
i also noticed you have a filter in there with him. if the filter has a carbon it it, be sure to take the carbon out. also the filter, gravle and any other ornaments in there will need to be scrubbed clean.

hope he gets better though.

 

[Dane]

Aw.. poor guy