Sick Betta

[Morphkid03]

Well he's losing the transparent sections of his tail and dorsal fin but the parts that are dead/rotted are black and falling off but already I see white growing in from the blue areas of his tail so that's a positive! He also is lying on his side at the bottom mostly but is swimming more vigorously up to the surface and is swimming back down, not just letting himself sink down. Continued Maracyn/Melafix treatment and gave him a 15 minute soak in diluted epsom salt water.

 

[Morphkid03]

Positive and negative update today!

Oscar's still fighting. He's lost all his tail finnage that was not blue (about 1/4 of his tail) and it came off bizarrely- was like the rays were plucked off piece by piece. But on a positive note it looks like the rot itself has stopped and I'm seeing a little white on the end of his tail so hopefully it's going to start mending. Oscar is still constantly laying on the bottom of the bowl BUT he is vigourously coming up for air and does not just go completely limp to get to the bottom of the bowl, he actually tries to make an effort to swim down. The maracyn/melafix combo plus epsom salt baths have seemed to help. Going to start alternating salt and epsom baths, I think it will continue to do good for him. He stil has stress stripes which is understandable but his bloating is basically gone, so that's another plus. No appetite at all however, won't eat presoaked pellets, dry pellets, or pea.

 

[Mauricia]

I would skip the melafix and use Maracyn 1 & 2 instead. That will take care of fin rot and if Wilder says it will help the swim bladder then I would believe her. Just follow the instructions for the maracyn but I think you should do large water changes before you put the new dose in each day, because clean water is what will help his fins the best. I've read that melafix can harm a bettas labyrinth organ and cause permanent damage.

 

[Morphkid03]

I'll see if I can pick up some Maracyn 2 to use with my Maracyn. I do a 100% water change before I do any dosings of anything, and the dips are being done in a different container. I dunno I've used Melafix many times before on my other betta and it never caused a problem.

 

[WILDER]

I agree.
Don't bother with melafix for now. It's only good when fins start to heal.
Maracyn one and two.

Can you post all the symtoms the fish is showing again. Just need to rule something out.

 

[Morphkid03]

Sure no problem. I'll stop the addition of Melafix and try to get to the LFS asap for Maracyn 2.

Symptoms:

-Fin rot? Don't know if that is an after effect or the root problem Has lost 1/4 of tail finnage and small sections of dorsal and anal fin

-Lethargy

-Laying on the bottom of bowl at all times, only swims to get to surface for air then lets himself fall back down, using his tail to slow his descent. Difficulty swimming.

-Was bloated (not so much anymore)

-Heavy breathing initially (but not anymore). Also at one point was upside down but has not done so since.

-Stress stripes/Paled color

-No appetite at all


I think that's everything...

 

[Morphkid03]

He's wedged himself between the filter and the wall of the bowl and is almost upside down again, breathing heavily. I can't believe nothing has really worked so far- I see little ups but more downs! Rushes up for air but is letting himself just drop back to the floor again.... No appetite, and nothing seems to be helping.

 

[WILDER]

He's not going to make him bless him.

Once bacterial infections advance there hard to cure.

 

[Morphkid03]

Well a good update today.

He can actually sit upright at the bottom of the bowl, and shows a little interest in what's around him!
Keeping fingers crossed but prepared for the worst...

 

[Morphkid03]

So here's some pictures....

Only a few weeks ago...

And a few minutes ago... he started laying like this a few minutes before I started taking photos.

 

[WILDER]

Bless Him.
It's not sounding to hopeful i'm afraid.
But once in a while fish can surprise you and get better.

 

[Morphkid03]

More photo updates...

My little hospital bowl, sorry it's so dirty, the outside glass needs a good cleaning Had to cram the heater down to fit it all in the water.

Today he surprised me, came up for a breath of air, then took a quick lap around the bowl! First time he's sorta acted like himself since he got sick.

 

[WILDER]

How long have you been using the med for.

 

[Morphkid03]

Started treating the 11th.

Picking up Maracyn 2 tomorrow.

 

[WILDER]

How is fish, is he still resting.