Hi Water Temperature Contribute To Disease?

I have a 20L filtered, heated planted aquarium with one betta. Does the high temperature create an environment for disease? I seem to have trouble keeping my Betta healthy. He is a year old, and I clean the tank weekly, the filters even more frequently. I keep the water temperature consistently at 79.4, even when I change the water. I'm frustrated that he keeps getting sick. Can the temperature contribute to disease?

 

That temperature is perfect for a betta, not too high.

How do you clean the filter?
What is the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph?
What do you feed him?
20 long or 20 litres?
Any tankmates?

 

I don’t think so, 79 is fine for a Betta. However, when you say you clean the filters frequently, how do you do it? They should only be rinsed when needed in dirty tank water and never replaced. Only replace media when completely falling apart and after new media has been seeded with your beneficial bacterial (usually a month or so). Also, why do you say he’s unhealthy? Any symptoms?

 

I remove the filter material from the filter box and swish it in water I removed from the tank. Then put it back in. I change the material when it seems I can't clean it--I also have a sponge on the inlet of the filter and I clean that when I change the water weekly. Should I be cleaning the filter box more often? I do that maybe every two or three weeks?

It just seems I can't get him healthy. He gets healthy, then he's sick again. I have sores on my hands from them being the tank now, and I think it's because the temperature is high enough to encourage bad bacteria???

Oh, Ammonia is 0.25, Nitrite 0 and Nitrate 0. I have never ever been able to get the ammonia down, after trying forever, I gave up with that. I use Amquel Plus when I change the water. I have a pretty large amount of plants in the tank. I have 0.25 Ammonia in my tap water, and chromium is also high in my tap water. I started using partial filtered water when I make the water changes. I have the filter baffled, but maybe it needs more movement than my betta can tolerate?

 

It just seems I can't get him healthy. He gets healthy, then he's sick again. I have sores on my hands from them being the tank now, and I think it's because the temperature is high enough to encourage bad bacteria???

What bad bacteria? Many people keep their tanks warmer than yours and don't have an issue.

What do you mean by sick? Finrot, swimbladder, something else?

Sounds like the tank is not cycled but I'm not sure why. The ammonia could certainly be an issue.

 

I remove the filter material from the filter box and swish it in water I removed from the tank. Then put it back in. I change the material when it seems I can't clean it--I also have a sponge on the inlet of the filter and I clean that when I change the water weekly. Should I be cleaning the filter box more often? I do that maybe every two or three weeks?

It just seems I can't get him healthy. He gets healthy, then he's sick again. I have sores on my hands from them being the tank now, and I think it's because the temperature is high enough to encourage bad bacteria???

Ok, it seems you’re doing the filter correctly. You don’t need to clean the box until you see gunk or algae. That temp won’t harm a Betta, some are at 80 or so. Ammonia seems like it might be your culprit, should be zero. And yes, more info on “sick” might help.

 

Oh, I'm sorry. I missed your question about the tank size: it is a 20 gallon long. No other tank mates. Just his plants. When I got him, he had a pin hole in his dorsal fin. It moved on to a slit. I got him healthy, two weeks later, he got fin rot. Lost almost all his fins while treating him. He regrew them, and a couple of months later got it again. Now like I said, I have sores from the tank, and he appears to have saddleback. I keep the tank clean. It's so frustrating. He's the hardest pet I ever owned, and I love him too much to euthanize him.

My question about the temperature is, seems 79 degrees encourages bacteria to grow because there is slow water flow from a baffled filter and since there is no way to "clean" the water as it is in a tap water reservoir. I'm thinking that's why I can't get the tank "healthy". I keep the filter really slow, no movement in the plants, almost no water surface ripple. I have plants in order to have more oxygen in the tank, and help keep the water healthier for the Betta.

 

Anything that causes stress contributes to disease.

 

What bad bacteria? Many people keep their tanks warmer than yours and don't have an issue.

What do you mean by sick? Finrot, swimbladder, something else?

Sounds like the tank is not cycled but I'm not sure why. The ammonia could certainly be an issue.

I'm sorry, did you receive my reply? I'm not computer literate, so I might not be responding correctly. This morning he appears to have saddleback, and his fins are disappearing. I have sores on my hands from the tank.

Anything that causes stress contributes to disease.

How do I know what will stress him? I try to keep the tank stable. Consistent. Water temperatures are checked with a digital thermometer. I add water by dipping the container below the water level so I don't throw him around. I have plants for him to stay near when I'm changing the water, and I do it slowly with a syphon. I'm consistent about feeding him. He approaches the glass and sits on his side glass thermometer or leaf near the surface where I feed him, because he knows it is feeding time, although other times not feeding time, he approaches the glass in a different area of the tank when I approach it at other times.

 

Yes warmer waters do increase the reproduction of bacteria, but any fish would be able to resist getting sick if they have a strong immune system. Fishes with a compromised immune system would get sick. The water parameters must be kept at tolerable ranges because it affects the fishes immune system and compromises it because of stress from the parameters. This is why we do water changes.

 

If you do your due diligence and adhere to prescribed parameters for the specific fish you are keeping and if you keep up with your water changes, etc.
You are doing all you can do to eliminate sources of stress that may harm your fish,

 

Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond. Greatly appreciated!

 

Something I feel is important in relation to water quality and fish health is the amount of food placed into the aquarium.

This influences the amount of ammonia/nitrates produced among other things.

A Neon Tetra needs half a flake a day, a small goldfish 4 flakes so a Betta might survive on around 2 flakes without losing bodyweight.

We tend to overfeed.

 

Could also be the betta they’re not the healthiest fish

 

Something I feel is important in relation to water quality and fish health is the amount of food placed into the aquarium.

This influences the amount of ammonia/nitrates produced among other things.

A Neon Tetra needs half a flake a day, a small goldfish 4 flakes so a Betta might survive on around 2 flakes without losing bodyweight.

We tend to overfeed.

Thank you for the thought. I feed one pellet and wait for him to eat it. I fish it out if he swims away. When I feed flakes I soak it in tank water first. Then I drop it in with an eye dropper. He doesn't like it, but will eat a bite, then I use a turkey baster and syphon the rest out. I do the same with any dehydrated brine shrimp I give him.

Maybe it's the quality of food I feed. I can only get HikariI gold here that is any good. The rest are not good. (WI, USA). I recently found a fish store near me that I haven't been able to visit yet, but they sell "quality" food that is a flake, and he doesn't' like flake. But I plan to visit there and see if they have a better quality food. Can you lead me to a better quality food?

Could also be the betta they’re not the healthiest fish

Especially when you can only find them for sale in pet stores like Petco and PetSmart. I looked them over carefully before I got him. I don't know how else to get one I can see and be assured he isn't arriving with other parasites, worms, and who knows what else! I wouldn't buy a pet-shop dog and expect it to be healthy or capable of becoming healthy, yet I feel the need to buy a fish from a pet store instead of quality stock because I don't know how to find one of quality stock.

 

That’s the truth. I haven’t had one since I was a kid. Never liked them in those little bowls. But most lfs carry them. Allway took them as a beginner fish. It’s amazing how many people keep them and how many people have problems with them. Wish I had an answer .

 

I guess that's why many of the older large breeders or Betta show people don't have them any more --they're showing Placad(t?)s now. I guess they're healthier. Thank you again for replying. I'm going to lower the temperature to 78 and continue what I'm doing and hope and pray for the best for him. When he "goes", I'll have to rethink the betta thing. I have spent so much money on the tank, plants, ingredients for care, etc. It's hard to decide to waste that. But I don't want to be sick from it either. It's scary to have sores on your skin from touching the living environment of a pet.

 

Pet smart or petc o should sell omega betta buffet pellets. Advanced aquarium systems might have good food in stock or would likely order it. I keep my betas at 80 82 degrees with no problems. How many pellets are you feeling him a day?

 

I can't imagine anything in his tank that could be causing sores on your hands. Have you seen a doctor about this? A temp of 78/80 should not be causing a problem for either him or you and certainly should not be causing what you are describing..

Forms of bacteria will be growing in this tank. That is what cycling a tank is. It is growing a form of bacteria that lives on the filter media and on every surface in the tank. It isn't the same bacteria that causes sickness or sores on humans or fish though. First there is a bacteria that grows to eat the ammonia and its by product is nitrites. Then there is one that eats nitrites and its by product is nitrates.

If I were you I wouldn't hesitate to consult a doctor for something like this and I hate to have to see a doctor. Sometimes one just has to do it.

 

Pet smart or petc o should sell omega betta buffet pellets. Advanced aquarium systems might have good food in stock or would likely order it. I keep my betas at 80 82 degrees with no problems. How many pellets are you feeling him a day?

I tried them. The Betta couldn't eat them. They were too large. I've been feeding HakariI (spelling?) Gold, one at a time, and fishing them out when he doesn't want any more. He isn't a guzzler. Two or three pellets, a few times a day.

I can't imagine anything in his tank that could be causing sores on your hands. Have you seen a doctor about this? A temp of 78/80 should not be causing a problem for either him or you and certainly should not be causing what you are describing..

Forms of bacteria will be growing in this tank. That is what cycling a tank is. It is growing a form of bacteria that lives on the filter media and on every surface in the tank. It isn't the same bacteria that causes sickness or sores on humans or fish though. First there is a bacteria that grows to eat the ammonia and its by product is nitrites. Then there is one that eats nitrites and its by product is nitrates.

If I were you I wouldn't hesitate to consult a doctor for something like this and I hate to have to see a doctor. Sometimes one just has to do it.

Yep, you are absolutely correct. Ever hear of Columnaris disease? or Mycobacterium? The University of FL says low water flow, biofilm, or hot water encourages it. It is I guess in all water, but because we use chlorine and chlorimine in our drinking water, we don't have to deal with it. But in a fish tank, we can't do that, so we can only change the water to keep it under control. Just makes me wonder what the rest of you do to keep these bacteria under control or away from your fish???

Yes warmer waters do increase the reproduction of bacteria, but any fish would be able to resist getting sick if they have a strong immune system. Fishes with a compromised immune system would get sick. The water parameters must be kept at tolerable ranges because it affects the fishes immune system and compromises it because of stress from the parameters. This is why we do water changes.

Thank you, Repolie for taking the time to respond. Any ideas how to increase his immunity?

 

Especially when you can only find them for sale in pet stores like Petco and PetSmart. I looked them over carefully before I got him. I don't know how else to get one I can see and be assured he isn't arriving with other parasites, worms, and who knows what else! I wouldn't buy a pet-shop dog and expect it to be healthy or capable of becoming healthy, yet I feel the need to buy a fish from a pet store instead of quality stock because I don't know how to find one of quality stock.

BettaNovice101 I sympathize with your plight! I rescued a Betta (that was in with another Betta in a 1/2 Gallon divided box). Only lived a year with me and repeatedly got ill from various diseases. Know that you are already doing everything you can. I would recommend using Seachem Prime, as it will help with your 0.25ppm of Ammonia in your tap water. Prime will change the form of the Ammonia into Ammonium (which is not harmful to fish) up to 1ppm. Not sure if you can get it at your LFS but it is available from the on-line monopoly store... To answer your original question 79-80 Deg water is perfect for Betta. At lower temperatures metabolism will slow and this will decrease your Betta's immune system. Max temperature is 82 Deg F.

 

BettaNovice101 I sympathize with your plight! I rescued a Betta (that was in with another Betta in a 1/2 Gallon divided box). Only lived a year with me and repeatedly got ill from various diseases. Know that you are already doing everything you can. I would recommend using Seachem Prime, as it will help with your 0.25ppm of Ammonia in your tap water. Prime will change the form of the Ammonia into Ammonium (which is not harmful to fish) up to 1ppm. Not sure if you can get it at your LFS but it is available from the on-line monopoly store... To answer your original question 79-80 Deg water is perfect for Betta. At lower temperatures metabolism will slow and this will decrease your Betta's immune system. Max temperature is 82 Deg F.

Thank you for your response. I tried Prime a couple of times for my Betta and his gill covers turned grey both times and he acted distressed. I had to remove him from the water and clear it out of the water column. He doesn't like the extra ingredients for the slime coat in it. He does well with Amquel Plus and I use Stress Guard by Seachem. Wish I could use it, but alas, he disagrees. If I get another Betta, I will try it again. Amquel Plus also neutralizes Ammonia in the water. Again, thank you.

 

I'm sorry, did you receive my reply? I'm not computer literate, so I might not be responding correctly. This morning he appears to have saddleback, and his fins are disappearing. I have sores on my hands from the tank.

Sorry, I just went offline. Sounds like everything you're
doing is right. Bettas need 78-82f so you don't need to lower the temperature. I always kept my betta at 80f.

 

Could also be the betta they’re not the healthiest fish

I don't agree, I have a male vale tail for about a year now, and he is in great health. I knew nothing about fish keeping when I bought him, so he as treated rough for the first couple of months, living in a little plastic container, no heater, blah, blah. I did everything wrong, and once I learned better I setup a ten gallon for him and was forced to cycle the tank with him in it. He survived all this with flying colors, and is very active and very responsive toward me.

But I do agree that anyone can get an unhealthy fish from the start, (any fish) and this sounds like it may be the case with the OP.
It breaks my heart to read about her Betta, and she has made a valiant effort to keep it healthy.

 

Doesn't the often extreme small amounts of water bettas are often kept in contribute more to diseases more than the temp?
I tried to count the threads about finrot an other issues in bettas recently. Scared me.

 

If you have sores on your hand that are from water changes stop changing the water and see a doctor. For you to get sores on your hand rings serious warning bells in my mind. Fish tb is the first to come to mind but there are more that can affect people.

Your health comes before your fishes.

 

I agree. See a doctor or dermatologist. Flesh-eating bacteria is a scary thing. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

 

I don't agree, I have a male vale tail for about a year now, and he is in great health. I knew nothing about fish keeping when I bought him, so he as treated rough for the first couple of months, living in a little plastic container, no heater, blah, blah. I did everything wrong, and once I learned better I setup a ten gallon for him and was forced to cycle the tank with him in it. He survived all this with flying colors, and is very active and very responsive toward me.

But I do agree that anyone can get an unhealthy fish from the start, (any fish) and this sounds like it may be the case with the OP.
It breaks my heart to read about her Betta, and she has made a valiant effort to keep it healthy.

Thank you so much for your comment. I didn't see the hole in his dorsal in the tiny cup in Petco. But he had so much personality. He followed me slowly as I circled around looking at all the bettas looking for the healthiest one. He was soo young. Less than half an inch counting his caudal fin. But he has grown to be a large one, despite his health issues. Almost always fin and lost scales. I'm guessing now that he has always had the Columnaris, but because he was so small it was hard to see the lost scales under the dorsal. Or maybe scales always are lost on the body near the ragged fin???? It would be great news that he doesn't have Columnaris!

I agree. See a doctor or dermatologist. Flesh-eating bacteria is a scary thing. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Thank you. I wrote a note to my doctor early this morning asking about it along with some other issues I'm having.

If you have sores on your hand that are from water changes stop changing the water and see a doctor. For you to get sores on your hand rings serious warning bells in my mind. Fish tb is the first to come to mind but there are more that can affect people.

Your health comes before your fishes.

Thank you. He has meds in his tank -- yes, I'm killing all the bacteria in the tank, probably also the plants. At this point, that's what I want to do. If the plants are causing the issues with him, they need to be medicated also. As well as the bacteria. I can always regrow them, but I need to save the fish first or there's no point. I so appreciate your comment. I'm concerned about keeping the water clean for him to recover, yet I dread going near the water to clean it. I'm even feeding him with tweezers now instead of touching his food. LOL

If he does have Columnaris, and he recovers, or even if he doesn't, do I need to get rid of all the equipment and tanks and start over? Will it keep infecting him?

I don't know if should start a new thread with the last question, because I don't want to have to re-explain everything again in a new question?????

 

Is your water source tap water? I am sure if it is, that you don't have problems, with your sores on your hands from your tap water alone. So this leads me to believe you maybe having an allergic reaction to some of the chemicals you are using in your Betta's tank.

I suggest that you wear long latex gloves, the type used when cleaning around the house to protect from chemicals, you know what I mean. Here is a link to gloves made for working with an aquarium.....

If you do decide to start all over again with your Betta's tank, you can get a plastic bucket (New never been used with chemicals of any sort.) I got mine from Lowe's and Walmart, or a plastic container. Rinse out the container/ bucket then put your Betta's heater in it, air stone, and condition it. I suggest not using any chemicals to treat your Betta at this point. Let it set long enough for the water temp, etc to level out and put your Betta in it.

Take down your tank and everything, I suggest at this point due to the extreme problems you are having to dispose of the substrate. Rinse and clean the tank out along with everything else you want to keep. Then disinfect tank and everything else using a 10% bleach to water solution, use pure bleach without deodorant in it. Use gloves and eye protect while using the bleach solution. I would also suggest doing this outside in the sun if you can. Let the tank,etc set outside for no more the 15 minutes allowing the bleach solution to disinfect, (Bleach is corrosive so don't go over 15 mins.) then rinse really well several times, to rinse out the bleach solution. Let it all set outside in the sun for at least an hour, maybe longer, this will allow any bleach solution that maybe left behind to dissipate.

Rinse the tank out one more time and let it air dry again to make sure.

 

Ok before you do all of that can we get a picture of the tank?? Do you use carbon in your filter? If not put some carbon in it will remove meds in tank.

 

When using the API Master Test kit and filling the tubes with tank water use one of these, I bought mine at Walmart......Meat Syringe
Fill the syringe with tank water then use it to fill the test tubes, this way you never have to touch the water.

I find using one saves time, because it takes the guess work out of filling the tubes to the line.

 

Is your water source tap water? I am sure if it is, that you don't have problems, with your sores on your hands from your tap water alone. So this leads me to believe you maybe having an allergic reaction to some of the chemicals you are using in your Betta's tank.

I suggest that you wear long latex gloves, the type used when cleaning around the house to protect from chemicals, you know what I mean. Here is a link to gloves made for working with an aquarium.....

If you do decide to start all over again with your Betta's tank, you can get a plastic bucket (New never been used with chemicals of any sort.) I got mine from Lowe's and Walmart, or a plastic container. Rinse out the container/ bucket then put your Betta's heater in it, air stone, and condition it. I suggest not using any chemicals to treat your Betta at this point. Let it set long enough for the water temp, etc to level out and put your Betta in it.

Take down your tank and everything, I suggest at this point due to the extreme problems you are having to dispose of the substrate. Rinse and clean the tank out along with everything else you want to keep. Then disinfect tank and everything else using a 10% bleach to water solution, use pure bleach without deodorant in it. Use gloves and eye protect while using the bleach solution. I would also suggest doing this outside in the sun if you can. Let the tank,etc set outside for no more the 15 minutes allowing the bleach solution to disinfect, (Bleach is corrosive so don't go over 15 mins.) then rinse really well several times, to rinse out the bleach solution. Let it all set outside in the sun for at least an hour, maybe longer, this will allow any bleach solution that maybe left behind to dissipate.

Rinse the tank out one more time and let it air dry again to make sure.

Thank you, countryrain, Yes, I basically use tap water. I recently started filtering a few gallons to mix in with the tap water, to dilute some of the chromium, in case he doesn't like it. Our water report recently stated that our water contains large doses of chromium, and I'm allergic to chromium. So, it could actually be the tap water, but I'm thinking if it was, then I would have this rash or whatever you call it, in other places as well, because I also shower in the water. However, you could be correct about the chemicals I use to treat the tap water. I measure everything by drop or non-metallic measuring spoon. I hate using medications, and will not use any malachite green or any of those carcinogens. I only use Kanoplex if push comes to shove (such as now), or Stress Guard by Seachem. Which I used this week. Oh, and I use Methylene Blue--which is what is in his tank right now -- for a three-day bath as per the directions. I added Kanoplex today. I use Amquel Plus to treat my tap water for the tank. I tried using salt for this fish when I first got him, and he didn't do well in it. He can't tolerate Prime because of what they put in for the slime coat.
According to the directions, I'm using a light dose of the M. Blue and that a light dose won't hurt plants or they can recover. I don't know if light is the quantity or the duration. They suggested on the bottle 3-5 days, and I'm aiming for three full days. Then I plan to clean the tank. Then my question comes up to, can I save the tank or is the bacteria, or fungus, or whatever it is, capable of remaining in the tank even after sterilizing. Hence, my question, which you so generously answered. If the tank has Flavobacterium columnare, or any of those related diseases, I believe I read on the FL site that they aren't affected by bleach or alcohol, but perhaps industrial strength Lysol. So, all of this means I will probably remove all the plants, which are very difficult for me to find and grow, and start that over. I only use the ones grown in labs, so that I don't add any bad stuff to the tank. Ha, that didn't work out. :-( Will I need to start over with the filter? I mean the actual box that holds the dirty water, not just the material??? I'm ok throwing the gravel out. I have a dish converted into a cave for him that he will be quite upset if he doesn't have it, but I'll try to find another one for him. It would certainly be good news if it was allergy. I have used cleaning gloves, but all that I'm finding don't keep my hands dry. I bought the long sleeved aquarium gloves, but they are very clutzsy as I commented prior. I also bought long tweezers so if something needs to be fished out of the tank I don't have to reach in. Do you have a suggested brand of gloves that work for you? I'm waiting for the doctor to contact me about a visit about whatever is going on in my hands.
I like your suggestions above, and I will do that after tomorrow after this bath is over.

 

Ok before you do all of that can we get a picture of the tank?? Do you use carbon in your filter? If not put some carbon in it will remove meds in tank.

I don't have a way to take a picture, I'm so sorry. I know that it would be so helpful. Right now it is very blue, so you can't see him anyway. If you look at saddleback disease, that's what he looks like. Exactly. He's still eating lightly, and moving around the tank, but he's very sleepy. He's resting under his plants or in his "cave", comes to the leaf to be fed but only eats one or two pellets then drifts away to his cave again or under he leaf. He hates the blue water! LOL I never use carbon unless I need to remove chemicals from the tank. I will use it when I remove the meds. Thank you for thinking of that.

 

When using the API Master Test kit and filling the tubes with tank water use one of these, I bought mine at Walmart......Meat Syringe
Fill the syringe with tank water then use it to fill the test tubes, this way you never have to touch the water.

I find using one saves time, because it takes the guess work out of filling the tubes to the line.

Ooh, a meat syringe! What a great idea! I use a dropper you get from the drug store. But that's a great idea! Easier to clean out,too.

 

Ok before you do all of that can we get a picture of the tank?? Do you use carbon in your filter? If not put some carbon in it will remove meds in tank.

Thank you for thinking of the carbon! I'm sorry I can't take pictures!

 

Maybe I should start a new thread for this question, but I can't find where to do that....We vaccinate our cats and dogs and horses and even horse owners get vaccinated to prevent diseases (horse owners get tetanus vaccinations, because horses carry it in their mouth and saliva). Do any of you know if there are vaccinations available to pet owners for the diseases fish can give to their owners? I read there's a vaccination for Flavobacterium columnare in salmons, but it appears it is only for large food breeders. Do I'm so new to the hobby, I don't know. So, the question -- is there a vaccination for the zoonotic diseases fish carry? If not, there should be!

 

I have not had to use gloves to do water changes and work on my aquariums, so I can't say to what type is best.
But maybe these might work and not be so clumsy feeling.......

I believe that the problems you are having with an allergic reaction is rare. I can't speak for others, but I have never heard of or dealt with this. If you are not experiencing the reaction to your skin taking a shower, etc. then my guess it is something in the chemicals used to treat your Betta. When you see your doctor take all the meds and stuff you have been using in your aquarium with you.

I tried to do an online research concerning allergic reactions to aquarium medication but there is not much out there that I can find. But I did find this website that mentions it way down at the bottom of the article Fish Tank Guide.

Most of the info I have found on this talks about air born allergies and mold allergies, when dealing with an aquarium, but even then it is vague.

I had no idea there was any kind of bacteria, etc that can survive bleach and alcohol. Not sure about this because I have only used bleach, but others have talked about using vinegar to disinfect their tanks. Not sure what vinegar kills but I am still learning.

Sorry I can't be of any better help for you.

 

I have not had to use gloves to do water changes and work on my aquariums, so I can't say to what type is best.
But maybe these might work and not be so clumsy feeling.......

I believe that the problems you are having with an allergic reaction is rare. I can't speak for others, but I have never heard of or dealt with this. If you are not experiencing the reaction to your skin taking a shower, etc. then my guess it is something in the chemicals used to treat your Betta. When you see your doctor take all the meds and stuff you have been using in your aquarium with you.

I tried to do an online research concerning allergic reactions to aquarium medication but there is not much out there that I can find. But I did find this website that mentions it way down at the bottom of the article Fish Tank Guide.

Most of the info I have found on this talks about air born allergies and mold allergies, when dealing with an aquarium, but even then it is vague.

I had no idea there was any kind of bacteria, etc that can survive bleach and alcohol. Not sure about this because I have only used bleach, but others have talked about using vinegar to disinfect their tanks. Not sure what vinegar kills but I am still learning.

Sorry I can't be of any better help for you.

Thank you, countryrain, for the link for the gloves. They appear to hug the wrist better than the latex gloves I've used. And thank you So Much! for the time you spent (and the rest of you) addressing these issue with me! I will look at the Fish Tank Guide. I really hadn't thought of taking the meds with me to the doctor, but that's an excellent suggestion and I will do that. Yes, alcohol, and vinegar and bleach don't kill Flavobacterium. I read that it can stay on tubs for a long time, and even after 6 months of having cleaned a tank in a tub, a child got it from taking a bath in it. Frightening! I read that there is a vaccine, as a result of this discussion, that there is a vaccination for salmon breeders to prevent Flavobacterium columnare ("Use of Vaccines in Finfish Aquaculture USDA-APHIS-CVB) and (Biering et al. 2005; Hastein et al. 2005 talked ov other vaccines from other countries that can be used in the US.)

I just wish we could make these vaccines available for pet fish. There are three types, one in food, one in the environment, one injection. I didn't find anything about cost for this, because that wasn't the issue. I found I at UF IFAS Extension, "Use of Vaccines in Finfish Aquaculture -- Document FA156, one of a series of the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program, School of Forest Resources and Conservation Department, original publication December 2008, Revised December 2017. EDIS - Electronic Data Information Source - UF/IFAS Extension. Roy P. E. Yanong is the author and professor of Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program, Gainesville, FL 32611.

This is not the first time I had this problem. About 10 years ago I also had a Betta in a planted tank when I lived in PA, USA. Right now I live in WI, USA. I had a full range of testing, and that's how I found out I was allergic to chromium. This is the first time I had this trouble, but it is also the first time since then, that I have a Betta again. Because my Betta has saddleback, I'm still wondering if I have the bacteria on me. I'll find out when I see my doctor, for sure.

One warning I found was to not use steroids to treat it. It causes the lesions to not heal and lengthens the time for healing. I really hope it's allergy. I do not want to have this terrible bacteria in my skin!

Again, thank you all for your kind help. Can someone tell me where to find on the web site to start a new thread? I can't find it.

 

I would definitely go and see a doctor and make sure to mention you have a fish tank (and anything else you might keep), concerning those sores. That's not normal and, although I don't want to be a doomsdayer, could be a pretty bad sign of something serious, BUT you could also be allergic to somethinh, or it could have nothing to do with the tank at all! I would wear gloves, and, like I already said, SEE A DOCTOR, please!

Also, your parameters seem fine, sometimes fish just come with issues... );

 

I am not sure what topic you want to start a thread under, but fishlore has lots, lots, and I mean lots, of topic areas to start thread discussions. So many it can be a bit confusing, especially for people new to fishlore. The beginning of the forums listing these topic areas comes up when you open up fishlore's home page and click on Aquarium Forum tab.
But here is a link to make it easier to find......Fishlore Topic Lists.

Example if you scroll down to Freshwater Fish and Invertebrates you will find Freshwater Fish Disease.

While on a forum topic if you look to the right you will see lists of New Posts and below that New Threads. I use this a lot to jump straight into a discussion thread.

 

I am not sure what topic you want to start a thread under, but fishlore has lots, lots, and I mean lots, of topic areas to start thread discussions. So many it can be a bit confusing, especially for people new to fishlore. The beginning of the forums listing these topic areas comes up when you open up fishlore's home page and click on Aquarium Forum tab.
But here is a link to make it easier to find......Fishlore Topic Lists.

Example if you scroll down to Freshwater Fish and Invertebrates you will find Freshwater Fish Disease.

While on a forum topic if you look to the right you will see lists of New Posts and below that New Threads. I use this a lot to jump straight into a discussion thread.

Thank you so much! Took me a minute, but I found what you were talking about and there it is, "start a new post". Thank you! Hope I can find it next time I need to start a thread! Have a good night.

 

There are things like Fish TB and I’m sure other illness that can be transferred but it’s rare (but not impossible) More likely it’s your hands and skin are dry from the water and chemicals. I know I have that issue sometimes , however it wouldn’t hurt to get it checked out!

 

There are things like Fish TB and I’m sure other illness that can be transferred but it’s rare (but not impossible) More likely it’s your hands and skin are dry from the water and chemicals. I know I have that issue sometimes , however it wouldn’t hurt to get it checked out!

Thank you. I have an appointment with my doctor for tomorrow. Took her a few days to get back to me.

 

Thank you. I have an appointment with my doctor for tomorrow. Took her a few days to get back to me.

No problem! Good luck hope it’s just some dermatitus Keep us updated!

 

No problem! Good luck hope it’s just some dermatitus Keep us updated!

Just to let you all who have been so helpful about this, my doctor is suggesting it is a reaction to some of the chemicals I put in the tank. She's giving me a week to get over it, then she will biopsy and see if it is a bad bacteria from the tank. Pretty sure it is a reaction to the chemicals.

 

This is good to hear. The bacteria infection would be pretty rare. Maybe just limit the time your hands have to be in the water or use some gloves? Most of my tanks are small so I don’t always have to reach in but with my 10 gallon I do . I know I can get obsessive with decorations lol but sometimes just let it be! I work with kids so I wash my hands a ton and they can get dry/raw just from that alone. I hope it gets better soon!

 

BettaNovice101 I see that you're only about 40 minutes away from me! Lol

I buy my fish food from east town petco. They have new life spectrum pellets. I usually buy the smaller pellets so I can feed them to most of my fish. They also have omega one betta food. And frozen foods by the clownfish.

I unfortunately have no idea what's wrong with your betta, but have you ever heard of advanced aquarium systems on Broadway? Dave is pretty knowledgeable about fish, but they're sort of expensive.

There's another good store called H2O pets on packerland. It's in the same spot reefs aquatics used to be.

Another resource is the Wisconsin aquarium group (wag) on facebook. A lot of people there are members of the green bay aquarium society (gbas) .

 

BettaNovice101 I see that you're only about 40 minutes away from me! Lol

I buy my fish food from east town petco. They have new life spectrum pellets. I usually buy the smaller pellets so I can feed them to most of my fish. They also have omega one betta food. And frozen foods by the clownfish.

I unfortunately have no idea what's wrong with your betta, but have you ever heard of advanced aquarium systems on Broadway? Dave is pretty knowledgeable about fish, but they're sort of expensive.

There's another good store called H2O pets on packerland. It's in the same spot reefs aquatics used to be.

Another resource is the Wisconsin aquarium group (wag) on facebook. A lot of people there are members of the green bay aquarium society (gbas) .

Wow! Small World! The New Life Spectrum pellets are too large for my betta. He has a very tiny mouth. lol. I talked with Dave once last week about food. I haven't gone yet. I'm a bit spooked by the area, I'm hoping to get my husband to take me soon. I only just found out about that store! The fish place near me closed. I also saw that there was a listing for one in Packerland, but haven't been able to find it. Reefs Aquatics is the one that closed near my -- across from That Right Place. Feels kind-a cool to be talking with someone so close to where I live!

 

Yeah reefs aquatics moved, then the store got sold. The guy at h20 pets is a good guy to talk fish with. He won't talk down to you.

As for fish food, I have some omega one minI pellets. They are super tiny. My guppies and neons like these. I think I got the food from pet supplies plus by bay park square mall
. Preeeety sure. Lol

 

Yeah reefs aquatics moved, then the store got sold. The guy at h20 pets is a good guy to talk fish with. He won't talk down to you.

As for fish food, I have some omega one minI pellets. They are super tiny. My guppies and neons like these. I think I got the food from pet supplies plus by bay park square mallView attachment 482253 . Preeeety sure. LolView attachment 482252

Wow! I like that store. I get my sponge intake filters from there! Are those pellets appropriate for a betta? They have special needs. But you're correct -- they are TinY! I'll have to look at that. I think that store has some good stock.