qwertypoii

Hi everyone.

I have one male betta. I had him in a 2.5 gallon tank with filter... I moved so my mom kept him for a month and a half. I went to pick him up and that is when I noticed the popeye. My mom said she forgot to use water conditions so I don't know if that is what caused it I went online to read about it and learned that bettas like warm water (nice of the petstore to let you know that when you buy them)... so I put him ina 5 gallon aquarium with a heater and filter.

I tried using ampicillian but it's the kind that you have to get him to eat and he won't eat it. I also tried Maracyn Two, I did the whole 5 day treatment and it seems to be getting worse. He lost his appetite and his other eye is starting to get big. I'm SO worried about him, I feel terrible. The Maracyn Two directions say that you can "repeat the treatment ONCE if necessary"... what do I do? Try it again? or does anyone have any better ideas or suggestions?

Thank you so much for your time... please help my fishie!!

pinkfloydpuffer

Clean clean clean clean water!
Have you tried soaking bloodworms or pellets in the ampicillin? Or is he not eating at all?
I'm glad to hear you've got him in a 5g with heater and filter.

Lucy

Hi Welcome to Fish Lore
I'm sorry your betta boy isn't feeling well. I would try another round of Maracyn Two.
Triple sulfa is also good for treating popeye.
Like PFP suggested, super clean, warm water will help.
When medicating make sure you remove the carbon.

I hope he feels better soon.
Good luck

agabr123

since the 5 gallon probably hasn't cycled yet, i'd do water changes every day with a good conditioner like Prime. the warmer water will help a lot, and i'd go ahead and do the second treatment of maracyn 2 like lucy suggested

good luck and welcome to fishlore!

qwertypoii

I can't thank you all enough for the quick responses! It breaks my heart to see him like that, I just want him to feel better.

Since the five gallon is a new tank, the fish man at the pet store told me not to put the carbon cartridge in the filter. He also told me not to wash the rocks when doing water changes for now? He said the 'good' bacteria on the rocks will help keep the ammonia level down... are these true? Please forgive my fish ignorance, I'm working on it!!

Lastly, He does eat a little, only about 1 pellet in the morning and 1 at night but isn't much interested after that... I can put the ampicillian on it... before I do though, does anyone know if it is bad to give it to him while I'm doing the Maracyn Two treatment?

Thank you all so much again! I really appreciate your time!

pinkfloydpuffer

I wouldn't use two meds at the same time, you never know what adverse reactions they could have (except maracyn and maracyn 2 is ok to use together)

I hope he gets better soon!

Yes, good bacteria will grow on the rocks (as well as the filter media and any decor), so you should try not to disturb them too much until the cycle is done.

Lucy

A fish store who told you about the beneficial bacteria?
Oh my goodness. Let me pick myself up off the floor. lol
He's given you good advice that's great!

I wouldn't mix the 2 meds. I'm glad to hear he's eating a little.

Here's a link that explains the nitrogen cycle

agabr123

lol, probably for one of the first times i can say that you've gotten good advice from your LFS!

Agreed on mixing the two meds, aside from maracyn and maracyn 2 as pink said that are meant to work together and there are a few others that are also meant to work together, but different meds made by different companies probably shouldn't be mixed.

also, as a side note, don't use melafix on your betta, there is an ingredient in it that is extremely dangerous to labyrinth fish (bettas, gouramis, etc)
All Betta Owners Read!!!!! Melafix Alert!!!!!! Read!!!! Read!!!! Danger!!!!

midnightwolf

i am very sorry to hear that your fish isnt feeling well. make sure you give him cleanwater everyday, i sugest a 50% WC every day and also another thing that no one has yet mentioned is to give him high qualety food with lots of vitamin enrichments. hope he gets well soon and best of luck to u both.