Betta Suddenly Active Different

Hello, I don't know where I should post this, but lately my betta fish who is very active and happy and social suddenly swims away from me and rests more. Usually he won't leave me alone and now I've noticed a small white dot on his head and I'm not sure it was there before. Could he be sick? I use aquarium salt which I thought prevented ich

It might even be a scale sticking up! I'm very worried!

 

Can you send a pic? If it’s a scale, it will grow back.

 

Pictures please.

Stop using salt immediately. It is extremely stressful on Betta's.

 

Pictures please.

Stop using salt immediately. It is extremely stressful on Betta's.

I've read many places that it was very good for them and improved gill function and it also is preventative and healing

Thank you for any help

Can you send a pic? If it’s a scale, it will grow back.

Yes I will! If it were ich it wouldn't be raised right? It happened suddenly within the day while I was at school so I'm assuming it's a scale

Can you send a pic? If it’s a scale, it will grow back.

Yes I will! If it were ich it wouldn't be raised right? It happened suddenly within the day while I was at school so I'm assuming it's a scale

 

I've read many places that it was very good for them and improved gill function and it also is preventative and healing

20 years ago, there were no fish medications. Salt was the best option.

Now, there are medications that work better than salt and don't stress them out.

Betta's have a labyrinth organ that is sensitive to substances like salt. It is extremely stressful for them.

You should stop using salt. Just keep your water clean and you won't need it.

 

20 years ago, there were no fish medications. Salt was the best option.

Now, there are medications that work better than salt and don't stress them out.

Betta's have a labyrinth organ that is sensitive to substances like salt. It is extremely stressful for them.

You should stop using salt. Just keep your water clean and you won't need it.

I have betta fix but I've read that can be damaging to his labyrinth too, so if this is only a broken scale I don't want to treat him. I'm very worried it's just showed up today

 

I have betta fix but I've read that can be damaging to his labyrinth too, so if this is only a broken scale I don't want to treat him. I'm very worried it's just showed up today

There's a large controversy regarding Melafix/Bettafix. Bettafix is essentially a watered down version of Melafix.

I would cease any salt or medication treatment (by the way it is very important to NEVER do both at once) and figure out what the real issue is, first.

Pictures will be helpful.

 

There's a large controversy regarding Melafix/Bettafix. Bettafix is essentially a watered down version of Melafix.

I would cease any salt or medication treatment (by the way it is very important to NEVER do both at once) and figure out what the real issue is, first.

Pictures will be helpful.

I've posted 3 now, what do you think? I'm so worried I wanna cry! I feel so terrible for my little guy

I've posted 3 now, what do you think? I'm so worried I wanna cry! I feel so terrible for my little guy

Would ich of that extent show up in a day or do you think this could be something else? I've had him for a few weeks and this is the 1st time I've ever seen this

 

Don't cry. It'll be okay. Doesn't look like ich.

How long have you had your fish? How big is your aquarium? Do you know of the nitrogen cycle?

It seems to be either damage to his scales and it is just swollen, or perhaps a Columnaris type fungus.

 

Don't cry. It'll be okay. Doesn't look like ich.

How long have you had your fish? How big is your aquarium? Do you know of the nitrogen cycle?

I've had him since a few weeks after Christmas and I've had the tank since about Christmas but I got it before then, and Yes, I actually tested his water today and the quality was amazing considering I was thinking it was time for a clean. Ammonia is 0 nitrite is 0 and nitrate is 20

 

I've had him since a few weeks after Christmas and I've had the tank since about Christmas but I got it before then, and Yes, I actually tested his water today and the quality was amazing considering I was thinking it was time for a clean. Ammonia is 0 nitrite is 0 and nitrate is 20

Okay, cool.

I would perform a 50% water change now, and another 50% water change on Thursday to get nitrates down to 5 ppm. This will be important in aiding his recovery.

In general, below 40 ppm nitrates is okay. Not great but okay. But for experienced fishkeepers who want their fish in optimal conditions, 20 ppm is the limit. So under 20 is great. Closest to 0 is fantastic.

How big is your tank?

What is the temperature at?

 

H

Okay, cool.

I would perform a 50% water change now, and another 50% water change on Thursday to get nitrates down to 5 ppm. This will be important in aiding his recovery.

In general, below 40 ppm nitrates is okay. Not great but okay. But for experienced fishkeepers who want their fish in optimal conditions, 20 ppm is the limit. So under 20 is great. Closest to 0 is fantastic.

How big is your tank?

What is the temperature at?

His tank is 2.6 gal and is constantly at around 78 degrees sometimes it goes up to 80 if my room gets warm but usually is it 78. I did an almost 50% water change earlier and siphoned out the bottom

 

H

His tank is 2.6 gal and is constantly at around 78 degrees sometimes it goes up to 80 if my room gets warm but usually is it 78. I did an almost 50% water change earlier and siphoned out the bottom

Okay.

I wouldn't vacuum the gravel/sand for a while just to be sure you don't kill off all of your beneficial bacteria.

Do another 50% water change Thursday or Friday and just keep monitoring the white spot. If it gets worse, let us know. If it starts to heal, there you go.

Best wishes!

 

Okay.

I wouldn't vacuum the gravel/sand for a while just to be sure you don't kill off all of your beneficial bacteria.

Do another 50% water change Thursday or Friday and just keep monitoring the white spot. If it gets worse, let us know. If it starts to heal, there you go.

Best wishes!

I have one more question, this all started, the weird behaviour, after I bought him a moss ball a few days ago. He loves it sleeps on it a lot and he nibbles at it, this moss ball was in another tank before sold to me, so if this is fungal could it have come from the moss ball?

 

I have one more question, this all started, the weird behaviour, after I bought him a moss ball a few days ago. He loves it sleeps on it a lot and he nibbles at it, this moss ball was in another tank before sold to me, so if this is fungal could it have come from the moss ball?

I mean, it's possible you introduced a certain bacteria into the tank. I wouldn't generally expect it, though.

I really personally don't think your fish is sick. Betta's have mood fluctuations quite like humans. You'll see!

 

I mean, it's possible you introduced a certain bacteria into the tank. I wouldn't generally expect it, though.

I really personally don't think your fish is sick. Betta's have mood fluctuations quite like humans. You'll see!

It spread over his entire face and if he isn't dead now he will be very soon

 

It spread over his entire face and if he isn't dead now he will be very soon

The white mark?!

Do you have a picture?

 

The white mark?!

Do you have a picture?

Only the ones I've posted. But it went from a small dot to most of one aide on his face over night and he's barely swimming and gasping. His water quality is amazing so this is clearly a sickness aid aome sort. Hes probably dead by now but I'm at school so I'm not sure. Don't know how I could help him if he's alive

Only the ones I've posted. But it went from a small dot to most of one aide on his face over night and he's barely swimming and gasping. His water quality is amazing so this is clearly a sickness aid aome sort. Hes probably dead by now but I'm at school so I'm not sure. Don't know how I could help him if he's alive

I only have bettafix and aquarium salt on hand

 

How long are your lights on a day? It sounds like he could just need sleep. My betta does go through bouts of energy and times of laziness. The white lines you see in the picture are stress lines. Mine has it to. They go away when they're relaxed. Don't worry.

See this thread

 

How long are your lights on a day? It sounds like he could just need sleep. My betta does go through bouts of energy and times of laziness. The white lines you see in the picture are stress lines. Mine has it to. They go away when they're relaxed. Don't worry.

See this thread

No. This us a fungus looking thing on his face and he is barely breathing. I never have his lights on.

 

Only the ones I've posted. But it went from a small dot to most of one aide on his face over night and he's barely swimming and gasping. His water quality is amazing so this is clearly a sickness aid aome sort. Hes probably dead by now but I'm at school so I'm not sure. Don't know how I could help him if he's alive


I only have bettafix and aquarium salt on hand

I'm puzzled, this is so weird. I've never heard of something taking over a fish overnight.

Does it look like this?

 

I'm puzzled, this is so weird. I've never heard of something taking over a fish overnight.

Does it look like this?

Yes! But only on his face and it spread rapidly, he rests and then suddenly jolts up across the tank and then rests again and he's gasping and won't eat

 

If he's been in saltwater, I have no idea how columnaris could set in, though...

Scroll down to treatment information and begin immediately. It keeps changing the link,

 

Notivation I will go check out the link you posted.

Taylor634 Go buy some API Furan-2. It will treat a wide variety of diseases. And to be safe, throw in a dose of Seachem Kanaplex, it is a very strong medication.

 

Notivation I will go check out the link you posted.

Taylor634 Go buy some API Furan-2. It will treat a wide variety of diseases. And to be safe, throw in a dose of Seachem Kanaplex, it is a very strong medication.

I honestly think he is too far gone if not already gone, I had to leave for school and I didn't know how to medicate him because I don't know for sure what it is. Do you have any suggestions on how to properly clean my tank so that this doesn't happen to another fish if I choose to get another? How can I treat the moss ball if this came from something in the tank it used to be in?

 

Boiling water in the tank after you empty it out.

Rinse your decorations in boiling water as well. Just poor it on them. don't use soap.

Replace your filter cartridges and throw out your moss ball.

 

Boiling water in the tank after you empty it out.

Rinse your decorations in boiling water as well. Just poor it on them. don't use soap.

Replace your filter cartridges and throw out your moss ball.

Whatever killed my fish was super deadly clearly and the store I got that moss ball from is probably going to have a major death problem. It killed my betta in less than 24 hours. I can't believe this happened

 

Oh my gosh, I am so sorry.

 

Is he officially dead? I'm sorry for your loss.

 

Is he officially dead? I'm sorry for your loss.

Yeah he died this morning around 7, I just found out now. Whatever that was was terrible and untreatable

 

Make sure you boil everything in that tank before putting anything up or selling it

 

Make sure you boil everything in that tank before putting anything up or selling it

How should I clean the tank with boiling water to ensure it us safe for a new fish? Fill It?

 

How should I clean the tank with boiling water to ensure it us safe for a new fish? Fill It?

Boil water and dump it into your empty tank.

As for decorations, take them out and pour boiling water out on them in the sink and then give them a good tap water rinse.

 

Boil water and dump it into your empty tank.

As for decorations, take them out and pour boiling water out on them in the sink and then give them a good tap water rinse.

What should I do with the filter? Like along with a new cartridge? Just rinse with boiling water?

 

What should I do with the filter? Like along with a new cartridge? Just rinse with boiling water?

I'd personally get rid of the cartridge and put in a new one. And do a fishless cycle before buying a new betta. If you want another one?

 

I'd personally get rid of the cartridge and put in a new one. And do a fishless cycle before buying a new betta. If you want another one?

I do, how do I do a fishless cycle? I do want another because I only had him about a month and I spent so much money on everything for him

 

I do, how do I do a fishless cycle? I do want another because I only had him about a month and I spent so much money on everything for him

Click on that link that just appeared on what you wrote

 

Not sure if this is in your budget but, a larger aquarium will create a more stable environment. Cycling a 2.6 gallon tank and keeping it stable isn't easy to do IMO. Now that you are starting over, it may be worth a little larger tank (say 5 gallons)

 

Not sure if this is in your budget but, a larger aquarium will create a more stable environment. Cycling a 2.6 gallon tank and keeping it stable isn't easy to do IMO. Now that you are starting over, it may be worth a little larger tank (say 5 gallons)

This tank is my first tank and only a month or 2 so old so I don't want to get a new one just yet

Click on that link that just appeared on what you wrote

Just finished washing EVERYTHING in boiling water, I think it looks okay some of the stuff bent out of shape a little

 

You should do a fishless cycle. It'll take about a month. Then get a new fishy friend!