Betta Fish Illness (please Help)

[Aliceeeeeee]

Hello everyone! So I've got this betta splendens white male (on 18th june this year) which was supposed to look something like this ( (pic 1) not that this bothers me, it's just the fact that I'm worried he's sick)). When received it his head had missing fins and I've sent them the photos, telling them he is alive and well but wondering if his scales will regrow (or whatever the problem is) and they assured me they're pets are checked by vets and by feeding him right and keeping it in good conditions is all he needs. So, is it normal for him to look like that? It lives alone in the aquarium with one java fern (which got brown spots and had to remove it's leaves) and one moss ball) and no filter or other things. He is an active fish and eats well. Thank you very much for helping

 

[Momgoose56]

Hello everyone! So I've got this betta splendens white male (on 18th june this year) which was supposed to look something like this ( (pic 1) not that this bothers me, it's just the fact that I'm worried he's sick)). When received it his head had missing fins and I've sent them the photos, telling them he is alive and well but wondering if his scales will regrow (or whatever the problem is) and they assured me they're pets are checked by vets and by feeding him right and keeping it in good conditions is all he needs. So, is it normal for him to look like that? It lives alone in the aquarium with one java fern (which got brown spots and had to remove it's leaves) and one moss ball) and no filter or other things. He is an active fish and eats well. Thank you very much for helping

If he looked like that when you received him you should have received your money back. Who did you buy him from?

 

[Crispii]

If you're worried about your betta getting sick, you should first test your water parameters.

 

[Aliceeeeeee]

If he looked like that when you received him you should have received your money back. Who did you buy him from?

I just wanted him to get well, I've bought it from a site

 

[Bellaona]

If he looked like that when you received him you should have received your money back. Who did you buy him from?

I agree. I expect that from the ones at like petco but if you order them they should be perfect. He is beautiful don't get me wrong . I don't see anything really wrong with him id just treat him with melafix. Its a good idea to treat new fish with this anyway. Also maybe put some aquarium salt in, that helps a lot of things and doesn't hurt much. That is if you want to keep him still.

 

[pagoda]

Did you fully cycle the aquarium before you put him in there cos if not, chances are that will not be helping his condition at all....it takes a couple months to cycle the aquarium properly and make it effectively safe and non toxic for fish

 

[Momgoose56]

I just wanted him to get well, I've bought it from a site

I know, sure, but if you ordered a bicycle "from a site" and received it with flat tires and a broken chain, what would you do?
What site did you order him from? You can PM me.
You said you have no filter on his tank?
Do you have a heater?
What is your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels.

 

[Crispii]

I don't see anything really wrong with him id just treat him with melafix. Its a good idea to treat new fish with this anyway.

Treating fish with medications is not a good idea. Medications can actually do more harm than good, especially if you don't know what you're treating for or treating healthy fish. In fact, water changes will be your best friend. Medications is more of a last resort.

 

[Momgoose56]

I agree. I expect that from the ones at like petco but if you order them they should be perfect. He is beautiful don't get me wrong . I don't see anything really wrong with him id just treat him with melafix. Its a good idea to treat new fish with this anyway. Also maybe put some aquarium salt in, that helps a lot of things and doesn't hurt much. That is if you want to keep him still.

NO Melafix. Bellaona can't you see the scales missing from his whole head? That red color is raw flesh! Melafix is suspected of causing some problems with the labyrinth organ in labirynth fish. I don't use it in those type of fish and don't encourage its use.

 

[jdhef]

Welcome to FishLore!

I see from your aquarium info that you are unware of the nitrogen cycle (words should be a link to an article explaining it). I highly recommend your read up on and fully understand the "cycle". It is the most important thing to understand when keeping fish.

Betta's require a heated, filtered, cycle tank (like all tropical fish). The minimum recommended tank size for a betta is 2.5g, but a 5 gallon tank is much. much. much preferred. I personally wouldn't keep a betta in anything less than a 5 gallon tank.

Your betta really needs pristine water of the correct temperature (77-80 degrees) to heal up. If kept in a proper environment he should make a full recovery.

Best of luck and ask any questions you may have. Everyone here is eager to help you succeed.

 

[pagoda]

Buying a fish...or any animal for that matter...that looks rough or unwell is rarely a good idea. All too often the novice animal lover falls for the animal that looks terrible and quickly gets way out of their depth both in what to do to help it and financially it gets very hard going too

That fish doesn't look good and an uncycled aquarium will make matters worse I'm afraid. You definitely need a filter, a heater and you must cycle the aquarium fully otherwise he is not going to recover.

I admire anyone willing to take on any animal that is not 100% fit and healthy....I have done it often enough myself to know how hard it is and how it can be heartbreaking & expensive. You need to approach things properly though or you end up inadvertently making matters worse for the animal.

 

[Aliceeeeeee]

I know, sure, but if you ordered a bicycle "from a site" and received it with flat tires and a broken chain, what would you do?
What site did you order him from? You can PM me.
You said you have no filter on his tank?
Do you have a heater?
What is your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels.

Betta Splendens alb M this is where I've got it from, no heater in the tank (I could have put one in this big tank, but when I'm returning to college I'll have to move it back to the 3,5 gallon bowl where I have no heater or filter, so I've used none. I haven't tasted the water also...I was careful when I first got him to get him adapted to the water by slowly adding more (in which I've added betta aquasafe) and after that, I add a small percent of new water from time to time)

 

[Momgoose56]

Treating fish with medications is not a good idea. Medications can actually do more harm than good, especially if you don't know what you're treating for or treating healthy fish. In fact, water changes will be your best friend. Medications is more of a last resort.

Melafix isn't a medication it's an aromatic oil -possibly bad for bettas but not a medication any more than eucalyptus oil is

 

[Crispii]

Betta Splendens alb M this is where I've got it from, no heater in the tank (I could have put one in this big tank, but when I'm returning to college I'll have to move it back to the 3,5 gallon bowl where I have no heater or filter, so I've used none. I haven't tasted the water also...I was careful when I first got him to get him adapted to the water by slowly adding more (in which I've added betta aquasafe) and after that, I add a small percent of new water from time to time)

I feel like your betta is just surviving and not thriving. They do really well if their tank is heated and filtered.

 

[pagoda]

The head area appears to be more than a slight ammonia burn....and that is down to an uncycled aquarium

 

[Bellaona]

Treating fish with medications is not a good idea. Medications can actually do more harm than good, especially if you don't know what you're treating for or treating healthy fish. In fact, water changes will be your best friend. Medications is more of a last resort.

If you look at melafix is not an actual medication, its literally just tree oil, also aquarium salt is recommended at least adding a pinch at water changes and its not a medication.

 

[Crispii]

Melafix isn't a medication it's an aromatic oil -possibly bad for bettas but not a medication any more than eucalyptus oil is

I'm referring to all types of medications in the aquarium hobby, not just Melafix. However, I do agree that Melafix is an aromatic oil, but many people, especially those who are new to the hobby, think Melafix as of a medication.

 

[BettaDollar]

Treating fish with medications is not a good idea. Medications can actually do more harm than good, especially if you don't know what you're treating for or treating healthy fish. In fact, water changes will be your best friend. Medications is more of a last resort.

IMO, Pimafix/Melafix aren't "medications" or a treatment that will kill anything.
The main ingredient is a natural one and touted as a cure for a lot of things.
In my experience it's not.
Don't get me wrong - I think they're a good conditioner that relaxes, de-stresses and soothes fish and I use it sometimes.

 

[Bellaona]

Betta Splendens alb M this is where I've got it from, no heater in the tank (I could have put one in this big tank, but when I'm returning to college I'll have to move it back to the 3,5 gallon bowl where I have no heater or filter, so I've used none. I haven't tasted the water also...I was careful when I first got him to get him adapted to the water by slowly adding more (in which I've added betta aquasafe) and after that, I add a small percent of new water from time to time)

I do agree, bettas arnt really in a great environment in less than a 5 gallon, and as tropical fish, do need heat.

IMO, Pimafix/Melafix aren't "medications" or a treatment per say. API info says they're all natural. I found that out the hard way.
I think they relax, de-stress and soothe fish.

Yep!! And are recomended when adding new fish to a tank

 

[Crispii]

Yep!! And are recomended when adding new fish to a tank

Not a good idea. Could do harm than good, especially for anabantoid fish.

 

[Aliceeeeeee]

I will add these filter and heater today and also look into something similar to Pimafix/Melafix (see what I can find in my country as I can't order from amazon). What would you recommend as a substrate for the two plants I have (the moss ball and java fern pot which is left of it- should I throw it away or can it recover with some nutrients?)

 

[Crispii]

I will add these filter and heater today and also look into something similar to Pimafix/Melafix (see what I can find in my country as I can't order from amazon). What would you recommend as a substrate for the two plants I have (the moss ball and java fern pot which is left of it- should I throw it away or can it recover with some nutrients?)

You don't need substrate for the moss ball and java fern.

 

[Aliceeeeeee]

You don't need substrate for the moss ball and java fern.

So did the lack of heater and filter killed that plant too? It got brown spots everywhere and this is all I have left of it, I wanted him to have a more natural looking aquarium and also read that some plastic plants might hurt. Are there other plants which will help him feel better? At first he could rest on the java fern and seemed really happy about it (he also did a bubble nest in that period)

Thank you every one so much for trying to help

 

[Crispii]

So did the lack of heater and filter killed that plant too? It got brown spots everywhere and this is all I have left of it, I wanted him to have a more natural looking aquarium and also read that some plastic plants might hurt. Are there other plants which will help him feel better? At first he could rest on the java fern and seemed really happy about it (he also did a bubble nest in that period)

It's most likely that the rock wool has buried the rhizome. In the meantime, just do daily water changes of at least 50%.

 

[Aliceeeeeee]

It's most likely that the rock wool has buried the rhizome.

So if I get some sand/gravel I should plant it in the tank?

 

[Crispii]

So if I get some sand/gravel I should plant it in the tank?

No. Attach/glue the plant into a rock, wood, or decoration. Planting it will kill it (if you buried the rhizome).

 

[BettaDollar]

My male lost a couple scales not long ago and yes they will grow back.
Mine took about 2 weeks.

 

[Bellaona]

Not a good idea. Could do harm than good, especially for anabantoid fish.

Can I ask why specifically for them?

 

[Crispii]

Can I ask why specifically for them?

Because Melfix/Pimafix will actually damage the labyrinth organ.

 

[Bellaona]

I'm referring to all types of medications in the aquarium hobby, not just Melafix. However, I do agree that Melafix is an aromatic oil, but many people, especially those who are new to the hobby, think Melafix as of a medication.

Because Melfix/Pimafix will actually damage the labyrinth organ.

How so?

I will add these filter and heater today and also look into something similar to Pimafix/Melafix (see what I can find in my country as I can't order from amazon). What would you recommend as a substrate for the two plants I have (the moss ball and java fern pot which is left of it- should I throw it away or can it recover with some nutrients?)

I would just use salt, as some more advanced members have stated, I was unclear in its suspected injury of air breathing fish. To be safe, I wouldnt.

 

[Crispii]

How so?

I believe that it damages the labyrinth organ, but then again I'm not 100% certain.

 

[BettaDollar]

Very handsome guy!
I agree with everyone that said he looks fine.
If he's got a good appetite, isn't scratching bottom or sucking air at the top of the water he's fine.
I've got a white one too and he's quite a recluse and a real character when he wants to be.

 

[Bellaona]

NO Melafix. Bellaona can't you see the scales missing from his whole head? That red color is raw flesh! Melafix is suspected of causing some problems with the labyrinth organ in labirynth fish. I don't use it in those type of fish and don't encourage its use.

And yes. I'm not blind. But it in itself doesn't mean anything horribly wrong if she just got one from a iffy breeder.

I believe that it damages the labyrinth organ, but then again I'm not 100% certain.

I took back my statement on melafix, just to be sure, it hasnt hurt my betta yet, but I won't be using it on him in the future as its better to be safe than sorry. Thank you for the wisdom.

 

[Momgoose56]

But it in itself doesn't mean anything horribly wrong if she just got one from a iffy breeder.

Sorry, I disagree, "scales missing from his whole head...raw flesh" is something horribly wrong no matter where the fish came from.

 

[Aliceeeeeee]

My male lost a couple scales not long ago and yes they will grow back.
Mine took about 2 weeks.

Mine looks like that for 3 months already..

Very handsome guy!
I agree with everyone that said he looks fine.
If he's got a good appetite, isn't scratching bottom or sucking air at the top of the water he's fine.
I've got a white one too and he's quite a recluse and a real character when he wants to be.
View attachment 587459

handsome

 

[Momgoose56]

I will add these filter and heater today and also look into something similar to Pimafix/Melafix (see what I can find in my country as I can't order from amazon). What would you recommend as a substrate for the two plants I have (the moss ball and java fern pot which is left of it- should I throw it away or can it recover with some nutrients?)

Just some gravel or sand are good substrates. Get a test kit instead of melafix. Melafix is not good for Bettas or Gouramis (labyrinth fish). Instead of "adding a small percent of new water from time to time" to your fish tank, you need to be draining about half of it out and replacing it with dechlorinated fresh water at least once a week. Fresh tap water contains calcium, magnesium, potassium and other nutrients that fish need. Plus as water evaporates, it leaves behind salt and other pollutants that build up over time. Removing and replacing water dilutes those. Get a small aquarium siphon and a small (4 liter) bucket that you use only for water changes and take it with you when you go back to college. Dirty fish water is full of fish waste and great for watering plants if you have those in your dorm. Fresh water regularly will help your bettas scales heal faster than anything else.

 

[Demeter]

There are a good amount of bettas with a flesh colored head that may appear red or like angry tissue. It is normal coloration IMO for this betta to have “missing scales” on his head. Lots of cellophane bettas have similar looking heads. The scales likely aren't missing, just transparent like the scales on a cellophane body. Most bettas of his coloration start out being completely colorless (cellophane) and slowly get more iridescent and blotches of color as they mature. This is one of my girls I raised with similar coloration.


I would not treat him for anything as he looks pretty healthy to me, if a tad on the thin side. I suggest doing some digging on betta care, you will find they do best around 78-82F with a gentle filter like a sponge filter. They also like lots of tall resting places, some silk plants and a hunk of driftwood would do him well. Live plants are a little high maintenance, so do some digging there if you want to have a planted tank as well.

The most important thing it to have him in a warm, cycled tank. That will go a long ways towards keeping him healthy.

 

[Momgoose56]

Can I ask why specifically for them?

The labyrinth organ is an adaptation bettas and gouramis have developed over a millennia that allows them to breathe air to obtain oxygen for short periods of time. Here's more info about these fish- scroll down to "labirynth organ"
AnabantoideI - Wikipedia
There is evidence that aromatic oils can damage that labyrinth organ much like breathing aromatic oil vapor can damage mammalian lungs. Bettas breathe into this organ through a tiny hole in their heads much like dolphins and whales (-but not exactly-dolphins and whales have actual lungs)

 

[Chris92xx]

Maybe I am wrong, but aquarium salt may be harmful to a fish missing scales? I know that scaleless fish do worse with salt. Can anyone possibly confirm?

 

[Momgoose56]

Maybe I am wrong, but aquarium salt may be harmful to a fish missing scales? I know that scaleless fish do worse with salt. Can anyone possibly confirm?

It doesn't make sense, in my way of thinking, to add NaCl to any fish tank that houses fish that don't live in brackish or marine environments naturally anyway. As a bath to treat certain illness, it may be beneficial, but to expose a freshwater fish to a constant (even low) saline environment seems like it would be harmful over time.

 

[BettaDollar]

Maybe I am wrong, but aquarium salt may be harmful to a fish missing scales? I know that scaleless fish do worse with salt. Can anyone possibly confirm?

That's worth looking into, though I believe at the time I was treating one for fin rot / locked fin I used aquarium salt and he was missing a couple scales...
Granted his water was changed about every 4 days.
You're right - it's definitely harmful to scaleless fish .