EmmanuelJB

In my 60 gallon aquarium I had never lost a fish until today. My female bettas have been dying all day. They came down with some type of mystery disease that is killing them quick. This white film like thing starts in their mouth then continues to spread to their lips then face, then they die. I have been treating with QuICK cure but it continues to spread. Although I have lost some corrys It only seems to be effecting the bettas. PLEASE help me identify it soon! Also what can I use to treat it?? I really don't want anything else to die.
I have added some corrys into the aqquarium (About a week ago)
Test Results:
ammonia: 0ppm
nitrite: 0ppm
nitrate: 5ppm
Temp: 80F
It is fully cycled.

I have lost 4 bettas so far today and and It is on 1 right now and there seems to be a patch of fungus on anothers fins.

PLEASE HELP!!!

Lucy

I'm sorry for your loss
What size tank are they in? Is it divided or are they together?

Is it fuzzy?

EmmanuelJB

60 gallon. They are together but there have never been any problems with behavior. Its not really fuzzy, its like a white film that just covers the fish inlcluding the eyes. The betta with the small patch on its fin is kind of fuzzy.

Prince Powder

Did you QT your corys before you added them? I can't say what it could be, but it's possible that your corys carried something into the tank with them that infected your bettas. I would recommend removing the corys to a QT tank and observing them closely for a few weeks. Also remove any infected fish to a separate QT tank so you can treat them once you figure out what it could be. Hopefully by removing the fish you will spare any other fish in the tank from getting infected.

Lucy

Google Flexibacter/Columnaris. See if that might be what it is.

EmmanuelJB

I was VERY VERY VERY STUPID and didn't quarntine them and I have a 20 gallon quarntine tank! I can't even believe how stupid I was! That will teach me to next time.

Any way my fish possibly has Columnaris or Flexibacter , im not sure though.... DO you happen to know if Maracyn 2 and Melafix can be used together? If not Which would you use? It could aslo be some type of fungus.....

callichma

You have to be careful with Melfix and Bettas.

EmmanuelJB

I know, they are all dying so I think it would be better than nothing... So are you saying go with maracyn 2?

EmmanuelJB

I just realized I only have 10 packets of maracyn 2, and the first dose alone would need 12 for my tank! Plus I would need 6 for each day after that. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!! Can I just use melafix and stop stressing about this?

Furallicah

You can use melafix but I suggest reading this first. All Betta Owners Read!!!!! Melafix Alert!!!!!! Read!!!! Read!!!! Danger!!!!


*Edit, and this too is good. List of Betta Meds *

Lucy

I'm not sure how effective maracyn 2 is for Flex. (if that's what it is)
If I recall, Maracyn, tetracycline or kanamycin might be effective.
It's best if it's a medicated food rather than something added to the water.

EmmanuelJB

Well what do you want me to do then?

Prince Powder

I wouldn't suggest using Melafix with the bettas. There's no point in medicating if the medicine is just as potentially deadly as the disease.

pepetj

With Colummnaris this is what you need to do.

If possible cool the tank to 24C (75F), this should slow down the bacteria growth rate while buying time for the meds to work.

After medication is over with, I would place activated charcoal and perform several (two or three) small partial water changes daily as you make sure you remove most organic compounds from the substrate, aquarium decor, plants and walls.

I would go with a dual med approach, dosing Furan-2 and Kanaplex at the same time. Consider 30 minutes bath in Potassium Permanganate (Wardley's Parasite Sweep) or Methylene Blue. The use of hidrogen peroxyde applied directly to the sore areas might be your last resource (be careful handling the fish).

I have lost my share due to Columnaris (a whole Sorority in 24 hours). It's a hard fight.

Pepetj
Santo Domingo

Furallicah

You can try Bettafix...however its just a weaker version of Melafix. Im not sure what to use here...sorry...

Furallicah

O_O Well at least someone knew...im writting that down.

Prince Powder

According to this page I found pepetj is right on the money!

Flexibacter

callichma

I don't know the answer to that, but it looks like it's been answered above. And the linked article is the one I read about the dangers of Melafix and Bettas. Good luck with your fish. You'll get good advice here.

EmmanuelJB

The closest pet store is 3 hours away so there is no way of me getting those meds.... I have what I have, and I will have to use it. Does this disease jsut affect bettas or will it get to me other fish? IT seems like my bettas are only dying....