Eskielvr

Well it turns out that thing hanging off Spartacus that I thought was a scale, grow into a fluffy little ball of white. First time I've seen a fungus on a fish. I treated him with Pimafix, followed several hours later with Melafix (if you're using a tank bigger than 1 gallon it's more economical to use the Melafix than Bettafix, since it comes in a bigger bottle and you use less.) That was last night, and today the cottony thing is off of him and stuck in the filter. So the Pimafix nipped it in the bud. Just to be on the safe side I gave him another dose of both today. I'm going to check my water conditions and do a water change later on if it needs it.

(By the way, you don't have to medicate the full 7 days without water changes when using the above medications. The label says "up to", not for 7 days, meaning the maximum amount of time to treat without a water change would be 7 days.)

My previous betta did fine in his vase without water changes for months, and Spartacus can't even go more than a couple of days in his 5 gallon without something happening. I wonder if the snails are playing a part with this. It's really strange. You'd think he could go longer in the cycled 5 gallon. I'm starting to wonder what I'm going to do when we leave for 2 weeks this summer. *sigh*

genie

I hope he is feeling better.
I just read that Melafix, Pimafix and even Bettafix isn't good for the bettas because it can damage the labrynth organ. I don't know b/c I have never used Mela or Pima, but I use betta fix on cobalt b/c it is the only thing that works. I just wanted to let you know so that you can keep an eye on him, and also b/c I am curious-- other people seem to think these meds are the cure all.

The snails may be the reason that you have problems with needing water changes, I hear they produce a lot of poo. Maybe if you moved the snails to another tank for the vacation period, then he could go longer and be ok.

Lots of luck!!

voiceless_kat

Hi...I am sorry to her that Spartacus had another problem...it is baffling how & why these things happen.

I just don't know about meds.My fish first aid kit has more $$$$$ worth of meds that my own ( LOL :) and yet I haven't found the right one either. I have a bottle of Pima Fix but haven't used it with all the bad press it has...however, all the "good press" meds haven't worked miracles either. Sometimes I think ya just have to go with your heart - and learn all you can about the various products and make the decision yourself knowing you have done all your research. As we both have said, the companies couldn't stay in business if they were killing fish.

I am glad you nipped the fungus right away. Continued best wishes for Spartacus' recovery - and am sending moral support to you!! I am finding it helps me tremdously to know there are people I can turn to who understand while we are pulling our hair out! Val

Eskielvr

The only "bad press" I've heard about Melafix and Pimafix has been on this list, and only this list. Someone also mistakenly posted that Pimafix is Clove oil, and it's not. It's "pimenta racemosa, and if you do a search on it, you'll find it's not the same thing. I've been using it and it's been just fine, as well as all the other people on Unique Bettas who use it on a combined hundreds of Bettas with no ill effects. The Bettafix is good if you have a smaller container 1 gallon or less, but if you have a larger tank, it's more practical to use the Melafix (same stuff as Bettafix but with a stronger dosage, which is why it's better for larger tanks.) Again, if it was truly harmful and killed them, not only would Spartacus be dead, but the company would also go under and they'd loose their market.

I tried the other meds such as Tetracycline and both Maracyn and Maracyn 2, and none of them has been as effective as these and I don't have to treat everyday. I don't care what others say, the Melafix and Pimafix work and haven't harmed him in anyway.

genie

Thanks for your input on the meds. Like I said, Betta fix was the only thing that cured Cobalt. I have never used the others, but I am glad to know that your betta hasn't had any ill effects.