Betta Fish Has Velvet

Hi, I got my new male betta fish 2 weeks ago. He is very active, but I noticed yesterday that he's very lethargic. I did a quarter water change for the first time two days ago. Yesterday, I saw that he had an injury on his gill where some tissue was exposed underneath it (I assumed this was caused by a water change injury) and thought that this is what was making him lethargic. I added bettafix to the tank. However, his symptoms have gotten worse (see below), and now I am fairly confident that he has velvet.

I shined a flashlight on him and saw that his face has some gold specs on it, mostly underneath his mouth and around his gills. It's not very bad yet, but I want to fix it as soon as possible before it gets worse.

Symptoms: Lethargic, lack of appetite (doesn't have energy to eat food or spits it out), coming up for air a lot more than usual, keeping fins very close to him (they're usually very flowy and smooth)

Tank parameters: 2 gallon, filtered, unheated (I realize I need a bigger tank, but I am looking for solutions to make this better before I get a bigger tank, so please do not comment on that); no nitrites, nitrates, ammonia, or chlorine; pH around 7.2-7.5; he's the only fish and there are no live plants in the tank

I know that I am supposed to make the tank warmer and cut it off from light. I also read that I should add coppersafe and/or aquarium salts to the tank. But, I am very hesitant to do this because I don't want to hurt him. Any advice on how to treat this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

Can we get a picture with flash on? The symptoms are of velvet, but we just want to double check. You shouldn't use Bettafix because it's a controversial medication that contains tea tree oil which covers the surface of the water and coats the betta's labryinth organ and potentially suffocates them. Any copper based medication is risksy for overdosing, so you need a test kit. But I recommend Paraguard because it's a very gentle medication that doesn't hurt plants and a well established tank. It doesn't contain any copper, so risk of over dosing is very low. Worked great for my baby betta's velvet.

 

There are the best pictures I can get for now as he's hiding behind the filter (not unusual for him) and won't move. If I can get a better picture later, I will post it.

Since I already added bettafix for two days, do you have any suggestions of what I should do about it? Should I just let it cycle out? He does not respond well to water changes, which is what I think caused the velvet to begin with.

Thank you for your response!

Also, would it be possible to heal him without adding anything to the tank? Just making it darker and getting the temperature up?

 

Can't see anything well enough, but from those pictures, I don't see velvet. You should do a water change to get rid of Bettafix. Water changes do not cause velvet because velvet is a parasite and it means that he already had it from the start. You're still going to need medication to get rid of it. I need better pictures before I say that it's velvet.

 

I can’t get a good picture at the moment. The gold is very difficult to see since it’s under his mouth and he’s not posing for me right now.
What medications would you suggest? I’m going to refrain from doing anything for now to be sure it’s velvet, but I do want to research different medications. Would aquarium salt help?

 

No. I recommend Paraguard because it's very gentle.

 

Another bad picture but maybe slightly more helpful. You may be able to see an open wound near his gill. I’m not sure if that’s what could be causing his symptoms. That’s what I originally thought until I found out about velvet

You may be able to see some gold on his backside. I can’t figure out if that’s because of his coloring or if it’s actually an issue

Thank you so much for all your help I really appreciate it!

 

It looks like it's his natural iridescence, and maybe his lethargy is from the wound. From what I understand, velvet looks more caked on and less smooth. You could start adding Seachem Stress Guard to the tank. It's an antiseptic for wounds.

 

Velvet looks like this by the way deadly fairy dust

 

I know you said not to comment on the tank but, is that the topfin intrigue? Really cool hectagon shape and taller than it is wide? I used to have that tank but my betta seemed constantly stressed by reflections in it because of the shape and he hid behind the filter a lot, he got much better when he was moved into my bowfront 5 gallon tank. If treatment doesn't help I would honestly recommend trying a new tank.

 

No. I recommend Paraguard because it's very gentle.

You know I love you but I’m not understanding the paraguard if the pics aren’t clear enough to show parasites?
And I’m sorry but I have to comment on the size of the tank. 2 gallons huh? Couldn’t help it. The lack of heater bothers me more than the size of the tank.
If you, OP, could put something dark over the tank or turn out the lights then shine the flashlight the velvet will glow. Could you try that please?

 

It looks like it's his natural iridescence, and maybe his lethargy is from the wound. From what I understand, velvet looks more caked on and less smooth. You could start adding Seachem Stress Guard to the tank. It's an antiseptic for wounds.

Thanks for the information. It definitely doesn't seem to be caked on, so maybe it's the wound that's causing his symptoms. Do I have to add antiseptic to the tank, or can I just let him heal on his own? I'm hesitant to add too much to the tank now as I don't want to stress him out more

I know you said not to comment on the tank but, is that the topfin intrigue? Really cool hectagon shape and taller than it is wide? I used to have that tank but my betta seemed constantly stressed by reflections in it because of the shape and he hid behind the filter a lot, he got much better when he was moved into my bowfront 5 gallon tank. If treatment doesn't help I would honestly recommend trying a new tank.

Yes it is! He was definitely stressed by the shape for awhile, but I figured out how to adjust the lighting so he wouldn't see his reflection as much. I think he's gotten used to it too although he does still really like the filter. Good to know that other fish have this issue too. I'm seriously considering getting a different tank once he gets more settled in, heals, and is less stressed, so suggestions for a moderate-sized tank (I don't have enough room for very big) would be appreciated!

 

Can we get more pictures please?

 

Thanks for the information. It definitely doesn't seem to be caked on, so maybe it's the wound that's causing his symptoms. Do I have to add antiseptic to the tank, or can I just let him heal on his own? I'm hesitant to add too much to the tank now as I don't want to stress him out more

I add Stress Guard whenever I do water changes for my problem child, Opal. She loves sleeping on gravel and winds up ripping her fins. I haven't had a problem with that, and it doesn't seem to affect her behavior at all.

 

Here are some hopefully more helpful pictures! It seems that whatever gold I was seeing yesterday isn't there anymore. However, he still refuses to eat any food (is now expressing no interest whatsoever), is gasping for air more frequently than usual, and is keeping his fins very close to his body (especially the upper ones). I'm not sure what the issue is at this point...

I did do a quarter water change (I'm going to gradually do this every other day since he doesn't handle water changes well), and he seems to be less lethargic now. I'm still concerned about the three other symptoms though.

If you look at the last picture, you may see that his gill and/or beard looks injured...at least I think it is. Let me know what you think.

Thank you all!!

 

He looks fine just his color. If you see any gold dust again like this (note severe case)
Velvet - Bettaboxx

 

Yes it is! He was definitely stressed by the shape for awhile, but I figured out how to adjust the lighting so he wouldn't see his reflection as much. I think he's gotten used to it too although he does still really like the filter. Good to know that other fish have this issue too. I'm seriously considering getting a different tank once he gets more settled in, heals, and is less stressed, so suggestions for a moderate-sized tank (I don't have enough room for very big) would be appreciated!

My tank is the same brand (topfin) and is 5 gallons but doesn't really take up anymore room than my 2 gallon did it still easily fits on the corner of my dresser. It has the same filter too but larger so you could use your old cartridge to cycle it. It's called the topfin imagine.

 

Bought a betta 12 days ago at petco because we felt bad and wanted to try and save him, he had fin rot and was very skinny and pale.
Currently he is in a 3.5 tank with plants/gravel and just bought a sponge filter to put in. His ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels are 0.1, 10, and .25 respectively. The tank gets 25% water changes daily and also gets aquarium salt added to it as well.

Our betta has been lethargic and staying at the bottom of the tank for the past two days, but otherwise eating well. Today my bf noticed that the Bettas top fin has a layers/flecks of gold dust and I saw some on the ends of the tail. The gold doesn’t show up on pics but it does on video.

We’re not 100% if it is velvet. Everyone is saying that if it is velvet that he will pass within a few days, because of that we’re worried that if we don’t treat it and it is velvet then he will die. We bought malachite green but not sure how much to use if it isn’t velvet and just some other bacterial/fungal infection. We are using aquarium salt already and doing daily water changes which is why we think it’s velvet.

 

Is it still losing fins?
I've dealt with betta fin rot & locked fins successfully with just aquarium salt & raising temp. to 82 degrees, but there's a number of med's probably recommended more . It took about 4 days before it started to recover.
If it is velvet it's in the early stage.
I've dealt with velvet in a few different fish & my go to is API Super Ich, melafix & pimafix.
Melafix / pimafix only as a restorative because I don't personally think it's any good as recovery med.
I've lost a few fish in spite of the treatment but we're talking extreme cases. Sooner you start a treatment the better - of course. It can be quick&fatal.
Hope to hear she recovers & bless you for bringing her home.

 

The Betta in my profile picture recently passed away due to some parasite that I'm still trying to figure out what is, and I know that for the longest time he had what looked like velvet, I'd shine a light on him and there would be that gold color you speak of, I was worried just like you were but nothing fatal ever happened due to it.

When I had Ich in my 10 gallon before, I used Tetra's Ich Tablets and they also make a product called "Lifeguard" which is for those situations when you don't quite know what the problem is.

Just thought I'd put that here, I'm not sure if what my Betta had was some type of coloring but it never lead to anything fatal.

 

it will help us if you can fill out this template

from the pictures and description I'm not positive its velvet but you will obviously be able to see him better in person.

and here is a good comprehensive guide on dealing with it. remember to be careful with aquarium salt though as it does not evaporate from the water- the only way to get rid of it is with water changes. make sure you're only dosing for the amount of water you're changing.

 

It’s my bf’s fish/tank and this is what his tank info is

What is the water volume of the tank?
3.5 gallons
How long has the tank been running?
12 days
Does it have a filter?
No, just set up sponge filter today
Does it have a heater?
Yea
What is the water temperature?
80
What is the entire stocking of this tank?
1 mossimo ball
2 aquatic plants

Maintenance
How often do you change the water?
Daily
How much of the water do you change?
20%
What do you use to treat your water?
Tetrasafe and primer
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water?
None

*Parameters
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish?
No
What do you use to test the water?
ApI water test kit
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.

Ammonia: 0.1
Nitrite: .25
Nitrate: 10
pH: 6.6

Feeding
How often do you feed your fish?
Twice daily
How much do you feed your fish?
3 pellets and one blood worm
What brand of food do you feed your fish?
TetraMin
Do you feed frozen or freeze-dried foods?
Freeze-dried bloodworms

Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish?
12 days

How long ago did you first notice these symptoms?
Lethargy:2 days ago
Gold dust/flecks: today

In a few words, can you explain the symptoms?
Lethargic and staying in his cave, only comes up for food

Have you started any treatment for the illness?
Daily water changes, aquarium salt, and soaking food in liquid vitamins

Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase?
Yes, fin rot

How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all?
Clamped fins and gold dust/flecks on top of fins and ends of tail

Is it still losing fins?
I've dealt with betta fin rot & locked fins successfully with just aquarium salt & raising temp. to 82 degrees, but there's a number of med's probably recommended more . It took about 4 days before it started to recover.
If it is velvet it's in the early stage.
I've dealt with velvet in a few different fish & my go to is API Super Ich, melafix & pimafix.
Melafix / pimafix only as a restorative because I don't personally think it's any good as recovery med.
I've lost a few fish in spite of the treatment but we're talking extreme cases. Sooner you start a treatment the better - of course. It can be quick&fatal.
Hope to hear she recovers & bless you for bringing her home.

I’m think the fin loss has definitely slowed down however since his fins are clamped now it’s a bit hard to tell. We have been using aquarium salt and was using melafix to help but heard that it might hurt his labyrinth organ so we stopped that. Thank you! Hoping that since it is in the early stage that we can treat and stop whatever it is

The Betta in my profile picture recently passed away due to some parasite that I'm still trying to figure out what is, and I know that for the longest time he had what looked like velvet, I'd shine a light on him and there would be that gold color you speak of, I was worried just like you were but nothing fatal ever happened due to it.

When I had Ich in my 10 gallon before, I used Tetra's Ich Tablets and they also make a product called "Lifeguard" which is for those situations when you don't quite know what the problem is.

Just thought I'd put that here, I'm not sure if what my Betta had was some type of coloring but it never lead to anything fatal.

Hopefully it’s just coloring for ours, but am very worried it’s not, but will look more into lifeguard, thank you!!

 

Hopefully it’s just coloring for ours, but am very worried it’s not, but will look more into lifeguard, thank you!!

Well if it is just coloring, must be something quite undiscovered. Yeah, Tetra's really great, but always exercise your own judgment when deciding to medicate your fish.

Good luck to you and your cute little betta.

 

I’m think the fin loss has definitely slowed down however since his fins are clamped now it’s a bit hard to tell. We have been using aquarium salt and was using melafix to help but heard that it might hurt his labyrinth organ so we stopped that. Thank you! Hoping that since it is in the early stage that we can treat and stop whatever it is

My experience with velvet was shocking .
The day I noticed it I thought it was early stage ich and the next day it was velvet and too late. The next day I eventually lost 8 platys, 1 guppy, 1 tiger barb. But don't lose hope -
If your fish still has an appetite that's a very good sign.
I contacted melafix/pimafix customer service and they said it won't affect your fishes adversely if used with other med.s
I think every med will advise you not to use activated charcoal.

You've probably been researching velvet. If you're not overwhelmed yet, here's another source of info. I find WikI a very useful source.
Velvet (fish disease) - Wikipedia

 

Our betta is acting strangely now and swimming along the bottom and almost looks like he is rubbing himself against the gravel(we got smooth pebble tho) and his hiding cave/log. My bf is thinking that he might be stressed since we just put in his sponge filter but to me it looks like he is scratching himself against the gravel. I think it may be time to add the actually medication, malachite green but bf is hesitant and very stressed right now...not sure what to do anymore

 

I agree with you - add it now.
He's stressed & infected.

I don't remember if you said it was in a community tank - if it was you'll have to treat every fish in the tank.
IMO, I never use a substrate in a quarantine tank. Better to have a glass bottom.
I'll be watching for progress reports. I know how bad it feels when a fish is sick - I'm pretty stressed too.

 

I agree with you - add it now.
He's stressed & infected.

We’re preparing his quarantine tank now, thank you! We’re all stressed now

I don't remember if you said it was in a community tank - if it was you'll have to treat every fish in the tank.
IMO, I never use a substrate in a quarantine tank. Better to have a glass bottom.
I'll be watching for progress reports. I know how bad it feels when a fish is sick - I'm pretty stressed too.

It’s just him in there but since his tank is a plastic one we read that malachite green gets absorbed by plastic and will leach back out later so we’re going to treat him in another tank for now

 

I just wanted to be the first to say...Welcome to FishLore. I hope you find the site helpful.

 

I just wanted to be the first to say...Welcome to FishLore. I hope you find the site helpful.

Thank you!