In the entry below, I've discussed causes and treatments for the most common Betta illnesses.
When administering the treatments recommended, it is vital to dispense exactly the correct does. Dosage is important, so be sure to measure accurately and utilize the exact amount for the size of your tank!
Betta Fish Illness - Fungus Infection - Fungus is quite easily preventable by adding either aquarium salt or Aquarisol to your fish tank with every water change. Your Betta fish should make a 100% recovery if you discover the fungus infection early enough. Fungus is easily spreadable to the other creatures in your tank, so it is safest to treat the entire fish tank. When your Betta fish is cured, be certain to sanitize the entire tank completely.
The most reliable way to wipe out almost any type of fungus is with the use of Fungus Eliminator and BettaZing at the same time. You must use about forty grains of Fungus Eliminator for every half gallon. The proper amount of BettaZing is four drops for every half gallon of water. Most local pet stores will carry both of these medicines. If not, you'll find them online.
Betta Disease - Ick - Ick is another highly spreadable disease that can easily be prevented by using Aquarisol or salt to your tank regularly. Because Ick is extremely contagious it is good practice to treat the entire tank, not just your Betta fish.
If you can, slightly raise (to approximately 85) the temperature of the water, either by using a light or a heater. Add one drop of Aquarisol per gallon of water. This needs to be repeated daily until your Betta is better. To be safe, it's generally smart to do this for an additional day or two. Your Betta fish should be totally cured in about 3-5 days.
Betta Disease - Tail or Fin Rot - Tail or Fin rot comes from filthy water or a filthy tank. If you make sure your Betta's water extremely clean, he most likely will never get Fin Rot. On the bright side, it's not contagious and is easily curable. Your Betta's fins and/or tail should return, but may be smaller with another color.
If this has just begun, you can usually administer Maracyn I and Maracyn II together at half the recommended dose each. These drugs are easy to get at most local pet stores. They are sold in tablets that should be broken up prior to adding to your tank. A single tablet treats a 10 gallon tank - be certain to administer half the recommended dose but to use both meds.
You could require something stronger if the Fin or Tail rot has progressed past the early stages. Both Ampicillin and Tetracycline are effective for later stage Fin rot. These medications are difficult to find. Try a big pet shop or buy them on the internet.
It can take as much as a full month for the fins or tail to stop declining, so make sure to provide the medicines constantly. You should stop administering the medicine once you see your Betta's tail or fins begin to grow back.
Betta Disease - Velvet - The biggest killer of Betta babies is the parasite known as Velvet. Keeping your water sanitized with Aquarisol should prevent this illness from developing. Although you will need to isolate your Betta and treat him separately, you must also treat the remainder of the fish tank since Velvet is extraordinarily easy to spread. Make sure to sanitize your nets and all other tools in or next to your tank. Put the tank in a dark place, and administer 12 drops of BettaZing per gallon of water.
Betta Disease - Popeye - Popeye is a bacteria caused by unclean water. It is generally not going to kill your fish. Your Betta fish will probably make a full recovery if you treat it soon (although he could lose his eye if you start treatment too late). As soon as possible do a full water change and make sure his water is extremely clean with changes every other day. The medicine Ampicillin will work magic, but can be tough to administer to smaller fish tanks because it comes in a capsule meant for a 10 gallon tank. Make sure to deposit the right dose every day for a full week AFTER the popeye disappears.
Betta Illness - Dropsy - Black worms and other dirty or contaminated food can cause Dropsy. Be certain to move away your Betta from the other fish beause the Dropsy bacteria can be highly contagious. Sometimes with a light case your Betta could heal, but unfortunately there isn't a cure for Dropsy.
Betta Fish Disease - Tuberculoses - Tuberculoses is hypothesized to come from contaminated live food. Your Betta may not display signs of infection for as long as 6 months. Tuberculosis is extremely difficult to eliminate and is really lethal to almost all other fish. Even bleach is unable to eliminate it. You will probably need to dispose of your bowl, tank, fish net and all other gear.
When administering the treatments recommended, it is vital to dispense exactly the correct does. Dosage is important, so be sure to measure accurately and utilize the exact amount for the size of your tank!
Betta Fish Illness - Fungus Infection - Fungus is quite easily preventable by adding either aquarium salt or Aquarisol to your fish tank with every water change. Your Betta fish should make a 100% recovery if you discover the fungus infection early enough. Fungus is easily spreadable to the other creatures in your tank, so it is safest to treat the entire fish tank. When your Betta fish is cured, be certain to sanitize the entire tank completely.
The most reliable way to wipe out almost any type of fungus is with the use of Fungus Eliminator and BettaZing at the same time. You must use about forty grains of Fungus Eliminator for every half gallon. The proper amount of BettaZing is four drops for every half gallon of water. Most local pet stores will carry both of these medicines. If not, you'll find them online.
Betta Disease - Ick - Ick is another highly spreadable disease that can easily be prevented by using Aquarisol or salt to your tank regularly. Because Ick is extremely contagious it is good practice to treat the entire tank, not just your Betta fish.
If you can, slightly raise (to approximately 85) the temperature of the water, either by using a light or a heater. Add one drop of Aquarisol per gallon of water. This needs to be repeated daily until your Betta is better. To be safe, it's generally smart to do this for an additional day or two. Your Betta fish should be totally cured in about 3-5 days.
Betta Disease - Tail or Fin Rot - Tail or Fin rot comes from filthy water or a filthy tank. If you make sure your Betta's water extremely clean, he most likely will never get Fin Rot. On the bright side, it's not contagious and is easily curable. Your Betta's fins and/or tail should return, but may be smaller with another color.
If this has just begun, you can usually administer Maracyn I and Maracyn II together at half the recommended dose each. These drugs are easy to get at most local pet stores. They are sold in tablets that should be broken up prior to adding to your tank. A single tablet treats a 10 gallon tank - be certain to administer half the recommended dose but to use both meds.
You could require something stronger if the Fin or Tail rot has progressed past the early stages. Both Ampicillin and Tetracycline are effective for later stage Fin rot. These medications are difficult to find. Try a big pet shop or buy them on the internet.
It can take as much as a full month for the fins or tail to stop declining, so make sure to provide the medicines constantly. You should stop administering the medicine once you see your Betta's tail or fins begin to grow back.
Betta Disease - Velvet - The biggest killer of Betta babies is the parasite known as Velvet. Keeping your water sanitized with Aquarisol should prevent this illness from developing. Although you will need to isolate your Betta and treat him separately, you must also treat the remainder of the fish tank since Velvet is extraordinarily easy to spread. Make sure to sanitize your nets and all other tools in or next to your tank. Put the tank in a dark place, and administer 12 drops of BettaZing per gallon of water.
Betta Disease - Popeye - Popeye is a bacteria caused by unclean water. It is generally not going to kill your fish. Your Betta fish will probably make a full recovery if you treat it soon (although he could lose his eye if you start treatment too late). As soon as possible do a full water change and make sure his water is extremely clean with changes every other day. The medicine Ampicillin will work magic, but can be tough to administer to smaller fish tanks because it comes in a capsule meant for a 10 gallon tank. Make sure to deposit the right dose every day for a full week AFTER the popeye disappears.
Betta Illness - Dropsy - Black worms and other dirty or contaminated food can cause Dropsy. Be certain to move away your Betta from the other fish beause the Dropsy bacteria can be highly contagious. Sometimes with a light case your Betta could heal, but unfortunately there isn't a cure for Dropsy.
Betta Fish Disease - Tuberculoses - Tuberculoses is hypothesized to come from contaminated live food. Your Betta may not display signs of infection for as long as 6 months. Tuberculosis is extremely difficult to eliminate and is really lethal to almost all other fish. Even bleach is unable to eliminate it. You will probably need to dispose of your bowl, tank, fish net and all other gear.
About the Author:
Jason Andrews is a passionate Betta collector and breeder. He currently [creates|writes] a blog that focuses on extending the Betta Life Span beyond the typical 3-5 years. He is especially focused on conditions of the water for Betta Fish as well as always maintaining a clean Betta Fish tank.
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