Help with sick betta...T_T - Paw Talk

**Sasami** · #1 04-24-2005, 08:14 PM

A few days ago I noticed a small marking on Keitaro, right above his eye. It looked like a scar and I figured he'd injured himself. He was eating and swimming normally so I didn't worry too much. The next day it had spread a little and turned white. I think it's infected or maybe some kind of fungal growth? It keeps spreading and he's now blind in one of his eyes and is losing sight in the other one. He can't find his food and keeps bumping into stuff. I managed to handfeed him one pellet of betta food but he won't eat anymore then that (he didn't eat anything yesterday). His fins are a little droopy today and he isn't moving much. He used to be next to Kiyoshi's tank so they had some stimulation but I moved him...to a dark, quiet place. I don't want to stress him out. I don't know what to do

. Also, normally I would do a full water change on Mondays...but will that stress him out? Should I leave him alone? Is there any way to get him to eat? Are there any medications I can use? I don't want to lose him, he's my baby

. I took a few pictures to give you an idea of what it looks like...though they didn't really come out:

I'm so upset...I just got him a month ago!

**Sasami** · #2 04-24-2005, 09:53 PM

Anyone? I don't know how much longer he's going to last. He's not breathing right

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Amethystbelle · #3 04-25-2005, 04:06 PM

I think he's got a fungal infection especially as its affected his eye aswell, would you describe it as being like cotton wool like growth on his head? Your going to need to get some medication either way for a fungal infection, my goldfish got one the other week and i medicated him and it cleared up within 3 days and for over 24 hours he sat at the bottom and i was so worried. I'd go to your local fish store and see what they stock and get something for external fungal infections. I'd do a 30% water change before medicating and if you can maybe make sure the water is extra aireated by either moving the filter closer to the surface or adding an airstone as medications use up some of the oxygen in the tank. I'd also keep the tank dark and quiet! Goodluck and keep us posted

**Sasami** · #4 04-25-2005, 04:27 PM

Thanks. Yeah, it is a fungal infection...I got a book out of the library that had pictures of various fish diseases. I'm going to get medication tomorrow (I don't have a car so I need to wait for a parent to be home). The book said to do a 30% water change, just like you said. It said not to add anything like conditioners or water dechlorinter to the water...but isn't that dangerous? Keitaro's tank doesn't have a filter (same with Kiyoshi's) so I'm thinking that I should add a little bit of dechlorinater just to be safe...? Should I wait to change the water until I have the medication? Oh, and is there anyway I can get him to eat? He's not noticing his food at all and isn't interested in eating...

Amethystbelle · #5 04-25-2005, 04:38 PM

I added dechlorinator to my water still before medicating my fish and he was fine. I'd wait till you get the medication and then see what it says on the bottle on mine it said it was ok to use with the same make of dechlorinator as the medication but mines a different make and I still used it as was worried about stressing him out with chlorine in the water and my fish was fine, think its just a precaution just read the label on the bottle to be sure. I wouldn't add anymore than normal either as won't really do anything for him or the tank. As for food i'm not sure i couldn't get my fish to eat, i tried everything then once i medicated the tank he perked up and started eating again. Have you tried brine shrimps or blood worms they might tempt him? Also after medicating him might be a good idea to clear his system out with some cooked and shelled peas as if they are off colour can knock their systems to bits so good idea to clear him out

**Sasami** · #6 04-25-2005, 05:02 PM

Thanks

. Yeah, tomorrow while I'm out I have to get bloodworms for the bettas anyways so I'll see if he'll eat them. Do you think he'll actually eat peas? Even though bettas are carnivores?

Amethystbelle · #7 04-25-2005, 05:22 PM

Mine have in the past they also have had a go at my plants too, i'd give him a go with them if he doesn't eat them just remove it you have nothing to lose

Reason i suggested it was everytime i've ever had to medicate a fish i've noticed they have had toilet problems i.e it not being right and normally a pea sorts it out

**Sasami** · #8 04-25-2005, 06:53 PM

Ok, thanks

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snowyangel · #9 04-25-2005, 10:57 PM

Looks like fungas, this can spread very easily and be quite deadily if not treated quickly. Higher water temps speed up the growth so be very cautious. I had a female betta die from it within 12 hrs.
My buddy Amethy mentioned some good advice.

lixx · #10 04-26-2005, 04:47 PM

Yup, good advice there. Hope he makes it

**Sasami** · #11 04-26-2005, 07:00 PM

Today I got the medication and put it in the tank. So far he's doing ok but he won't eat and is sticking to one small area of the tank. I'm so worried

. I also got some frozen peas, but how do you cook a single pea? I've never had to do that before ^_^;.

Amethystbelle · #12 04-26-2005, 07:26 PM

Get a bowl of boiling water and put your pea in that it will defrost within 10 minutes, leave to cool and then feed it your betta

My fish was the same he sat for over 24 hours solid at the back of the tank behind a plant and wouldn't come out to eat or anything then all of a sudden he sprang back to life so hopefully your betta will be the same, fingers crossed for you

Purplebunny · #13 04-26-2005, 08:04 PM

How is he Steph?

**Sasami** · #14 04-26-2005, 08:45 PM

Thanks. Should I try the pea now? Or when he's feeling a little better?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplebunny


	How is he Steph?

Still the same. I'm worried that I put too much of the medication in. It said 1 teaspoon per 25 gallons so it was hard to figure out how much to put in a 1.5 gallon tank...I hope he gets better soon

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Purplebunny · #15 04-26-2005, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sasami


	Thanks. Should I try the pea now? Or when he's feeling a little better? Still the same. I'm worried that I put too much of the medication in. It said 1 teaspoon per 25 gallons so it was hard to figure out how much to put in a 1.5 gallon tank...I hope he gets better soon .

Sending him get better soon vibes...