Trying To Save My Better

[loohoo313]

Here is my story. I do hope someone can help me. I am new to fish parenting.

I have had this betta since New Years. My 4yr old go him as a gift from an uncle. I'm crazy about him. Named him Nemo. About a month ago, he developed what I thought was a fungus. Went to the store. They gave me TC capsules. He seemed to get a bit better, but still not himself. Stopped the TC, moved him to a bigger, fltered and heated tank. Going great! Blowing great bubble nests. Really seems happy. White spot behind his eye never really went away. It was a little bigger than a pencil point, but noticeable. Okay, he is still swimming great and cruising around the tank happily. I am concerned about the spot and use melafix and pimafix for four days. Changing water, removed filter. Seems better. Spot still there. I put the filter back in, thought we were home free.

Today, he was laying at the bottom of the tank and seemed to be struggling for air. He couldn't make it to the surface and he seemed paler in color. I did a pH test and did a 50% water change. I had to go to my brother's for dinner and thought I would come home and find him dead for sure. I added some melafix as I went out the door. I got home and he was happily swimming like his old self.

This fish has me crazy!! My family thinks I'm crazy. What could the problem be now?? I need advice. I thought I wouldn't have to change water as often in a filtered tank. I thought the heat would help him? Someone please help!!!

Cyndy

 

[JoLtNbolt]

Hi Cyndy,

to TFF!!! Well I'm glad Nemo seems to be doing ok! Sounds like a miracle to me.

The heat should be good for him. How strong is the waterflow? How big is the tank?

 

[liz2]

You have come to the right place..if this lot cant help..there is no fishy God. and we need piccies cos I love piccies

 

[loohoo313]

Thanks so much for the reply. I don't have a sophisticated water testing kit because I thought it was going to be simple to keep this little fish. I have pH test strips. They just tell me if things are within certain ranges. The water flow is set very low and he seems to be better when the melafix is in there which made me think it was bacterial or fungal. I'm learning as I go along and I am still confused.

Yet he still has the white spot behind his eye. At least three weeks now. A co-worker suggested that it might be ick, but I thought ick was a lot of white spots. This is a single one. I bought some Aquarisol, ut I don't know if I need to change the water to get the melafix out.

I thought with the filter I would have to change the water less often, but I still seem to change at least 1/3 each week. How often should I vacuum the bottom? Should I add salt each time I change the water? How much? I'm sorry to ask all these questions, but I am so attached to him. He depends on me.

BTW He is in a 5 gallon tank with heater and filter.

Advice please!!!!

Cyndy

 

[ILM]

A filter just strains out particles in the water and the carbon removes some smell. It does nothing to remove ammonia and nitrites which are poison to your fish--which is why you need to do weekly tank cleanings and water changes every week. Cleaning the tank also keeps the bacteria at bay. I generally do a 50% water change every week, vacuum the out any junk I see but always a gravel cleaning once a week. We probably won't be able to begin to diagnose what his white spot is without a picture, and even that will be iffy. If could just be a weird scale. But it might be something else.

 

[diademhill]

A filter just strains out particles in the water and the carbon removes some smell. It does nothing to remove ammonia and nitrites which are poison to your fish--which is why you need to do weekly tank cleanings and water changes every week. Cleaning the tank also keeps the bacteria at bay. I generally do a 50% water change every week, vacuum the out any junk I see but always a gravel cleaning once a week. We probably won't be able to begin to diagnose what his white spot is without a picture, and even that will be iffy. If could just be a weird scale. But it might be something else.

Until the bacterial colony that lives in the filter develops to remove ammonia & nitrites. Non filteres tanks need mega changes weekly to remove these. A tank with a mature filter only needs, maybe, 10% a week changing.

You need to start doing daily 20% water changes as this tank is cycling. Your fish is being poisoned by his own wastes at the moment. The spot may be ick or a damaged scale but IIWY I'd concentrate on getting the water quality right as that is more urgent.
There are plenty of pinned topics on cycling. You are cycling with fish so don't add ammonia!

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Awww sorry your lil guy is having trouble. Some of my boys live in tanks about that size with no filter. I find doing 50%-75% weekly seems right for mine. (All my bettas have filters in their tanks but some don't have them turned on as they dislike the current, bygones.)
If you want to cycle it ignore this next bit. For those with their filters off I add Amquel plus. It removes any ammonia, nitrites and nitrates in the water. I NEVER use it in filtered tanks.
I NEVER regularly add salt to any freshwater fishes water and it's not something I would recommend. Over using medications can be detrimental also. I would recommend ensuring he has floating plants in his tank for him to sit in and sleep in.
Healthwise whatever is causing his problems makes me think along the lines of internal bacteria issues. Melafix really isn't strong enough to treat something that has gotten a good grip on the poor mite.
Keep the water clean and see how he goes. If he appears to be going downhill again and there are no outward signs visible try using a strong anti internal at half dose. (Some bettas are highly sensetive to them.) Can only wish you the best with him.
Hugs,
P.

 

[loohoo313]

Thanks so much everyone for all your advice. Your are the tops. I am going to do the water changes for sure. Do most of you recommend keeping the filter in or just running without it?

This has been an invaluable source of great advice from experienced folks and wonderful support for a novice like me. Will try to put a pic on the site for all to see the spot. He had a cottony fungus like thing several weeks ago. It looked enflamed around it. Thats why I treated for fungus. The cottony stuff went away and the inflamation went too, but the spot remains. ARGH!! Out Out Damn Spot!!

Thanks folks

 

[loohoo313]

He seems to be doing better. Been changing water a lot. Treating for ick. The Aquarisol says to up the temp to 85 degrees. My heater doesn;t seem to have a way to manually set it up. Will the med work if the tank is just about 76-78?? Do I keep changing water?

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Don't worry too much about the temp. I've never raised the temp for whitespot. As you are doing the water changes just make sure you keep the med level correct. As every water change removes some of the medication. Glad he's looking better.
My daughter bought a betta today with most of his tail missing, poor fella. But his eyes are bright and he's active and seems happy enough. He's now living in my 15g upstairs. Here's hoping my placid tetras and harlequins don't mind him!
Hugs,
P.

 

[loohoo313]

I wanted to put some pictures up so you all can see the spirited little guy your are helping to nurse back to health. He has been bubblenesting like crazy which leads me to believe he can't be that bad off, but the sopt still bothers me. He did not have it until last month. Very hard to see in these pics. My camera is no so good for this type of shot. Isn't he handsome??? Beautiful blue with the offsetting red. Walmart special, but I just love him.

 

[JoLtNbolt]

I don't see any pics!

 

[loohoo313]

Okay, so I'm doing better at helping the fish than loading pictures. So sorry. Sometimes it takes me a few attempts. I'm not too savy with this forum page yet.

Here goes again!

My very handsome Nemo

 

[ILM]

Hmmm, lovely shade of blue--I'm not a fan of red and blue together but I like his red highlights against his rich blue. Pretty, pretty fish. You done good!

 

[ElectricMayhem]

He's lovely! I love his colours. Well done on treating him!