I've been a Betta owner and breeder for more than 20 years, but it's important to be aware that I do not have any vet training. While I've had success with these treatments on my Bettas for the past twenty years, this information does not take the place of a licensed veterinarian.
There are several of Betta illnesses that your Betta fish can have. As soon as you determine that your Betta is sick, it's critical to separate the sick Betta fish so it doesn't get your other fish sick in your tank. Avoid an abrupt replace the water by using water that has been left out and at a similar temperature for at least six hours.
Make sure not to spread any disease by cleaning your hands with an antibiotic soap after treating a sick Betta fish.
Determining the symptoms of your Betta's illness is critical to giving him the right medication. Typically, a diseased Betta will stay at the base of the tank, only rising for air, while a Betta in good condition will vigorously swim inside the tank.
Betta Illnesses - Clamped Fins Make sure to check his fins. If they are close to the Betta's body, then they may have caught clamped fins, which is a sign of unclean water quality. Start replacing half the water each day til water quality is better and his fins are healthy.
Symptom: Ich Ich is a serious and contagious parasite. If you see small white dots on your Betta fish's body and tail, he must have Ich and require treatment as soon as possible. If you see your Betta swimming against the sides of the tank, it's likely he has caught Ich and is attempting to wipe it off.
If your Betta fish is stressed out (possibly by another fish or changing water temperatures), this can make him more likely to Ich. Just like in human beings, Bettas that are unhappy tend to be susceptible to many more illnesses.
Illness: Fungus Large dots of grey or white is most likely a fungus infection. These dots will be larger than with Ich. If it goes untreated, it could begin to look like a fuzzy white growth.
Disease: Fin Rot Fin Rot can be diagnosed by looking at his fins or tail. If they look ripped up, are getting shorter, or have holes in them, then he probably has Fin or Tail rot. This is not an uncommon illness a lot of Betta's get and should be treated immediately. It's a bacterial disease that can easily spread to the rest of his body. In really bad cases, the fins and tail can begin bleeding or turn red.
Disease: Constipation Betta fish do best if consuming a variety of food. If you notice a swollen stomach, but otherwise your Betta is swimming normally, then he may be constipated.
Illness: Velvet Velvet can be diagnosed by the gold and yellow powder like dust that will appear on his body. It's best to shine a light to attempt to spot it - it's difficult to see otherwise.
Disease: Dropsy If your Betta has raised scales and a protruding abdomen, he has Dropsy. For severe cases, when seeing it from above the scales will look like an open pine cone.
Betta Fish Disease - Popeye Popeye is simple to spot - if your Betta has a cloudy, elevated eye or a large bubble covering his eye area then he has contracted Popeye.
Illness: Tuberculoses If you believe your Betta has Tuberculoses, be certain to put on sanitary gloves prior to putting your hand inside the water. Tuberculoses can be transmitted to a human being, so be certain you have no open wounds prior to putting in your hand and arm. If you do catch Tuberculoses, you'll have to treat a skin infection and will need to go to the doctor to get it cured.
Signs of Tuberculosis include: Scales falling off or sticking out, Loss of weight or appetite, Skin discoloration, Clamped fins, and Lethargic swimming.
There are several of Betta illnesses that your Betta fish can have. As soon as you determine that your Betta is sick, it's critical to separate the sick Betta fish so it doesn't get your other fish sick in your tank. Avoid an abrupt replace the water by using water that has been left out and at a similar temperature for at least six hours.
Make sure not to spread any disease by cleaning your hands with an antibiotic soap after treating a sick Betta fish.
Determining the symptoms of your Betta's illness is critical to giving him the right medication. Typically, a diseased Betta will stay at the base of the tank, only rising for air, while a Betta in good condition will vigorously swim inside the tank.
Betta Illnesses - Clamped Fins Make sure to check his fins. If they are close to the Betta's body, then they may have caught clamped fins, which is a sign of unclean water quality. Start replacing half the water each day til water quality is better and his fins are healthy.
Symptom: Ich Ich is a serious and contagious parasite. If you see small white dots on your Betta fish's body and tail, he must have Ich and require treatment as soon as possible. If you see your Betta swimming against the sides of the tank, it's likely he has caught Ich and is attempting to wipe it off.
If your Betta fish is stressed out (possibly by another fish or changing water temperatures), this can make him more likely to Ich. Just like in human beings, Bettas that are unhappy tend to be susceptible to many more illnesses.
Illness: Fungus Large dots of grey or white is most likely a fungus infection. These dots will be larger than with Ich. If it goes untreated, it could begin to look like a fuzzy white growth.
Disease: Fin Rot Fin Rot can be diagnosed by looking at his fins or tail. If they look ripped up, are getting shorter, or have holes in them, then he probably has Fin or Tail rot. This is not an uncommon illness a lot of Betta's get and should be treated immediately. It's a bacterial disease that can easily spread to the rest of his body. In really bad cases, the fins and tail can begin bleeding or turn red.
Disease: Constipation Betta fish do best if consuming a variety of food. If you notice a swollen stomach, but otherwise your Betta is swimming normally, then he may be constipated.
Illness: Velvet Velvet can be diagnosed by the gold and yellow powder like dust that will appear on his body. It's best to shine a light to attempt to spot it - it's difficult to see otherwise.
Disease: Dropsy If your Betta has raised scales and a protruding abdomen, he has Dropsy. For severe cases, when seeing it from above the scales will look like an open pine cone.
Betta Fish Disease - Popeye Popeye is simple to spot - if your Betta has a cloudy, elevated eye or a large bubble covering his eye area then he has contracted Popeye.
Illness: Tuberculoses If you believe your Betta has Tuberculoses, be certain to put on sanitary gloves prior to putting your hand inside the water. Tuberculoses can be transmitted to a human being, so be certain you have no open wounds prior to putting in your hand and arm. If you do catch Tuberculoses, you'll have to treat a skin infection and will need to go to the doctor to get it cured.
Signs of Tuberculosis include: Scales falling off or sticking out, Loss of weight or appetite, Skin discoloration, Clamped fins, and Lethargic swimming.
About the Author:
Jason Andrews is a passionate Betta Fish 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 particularly focused on conditions of the water for Betta Fish as well as always maintaining a clean Betta Fish tank.
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