My Betta and Koi- Brown Spots + Feeding help? + Koi has odd patches + other stuf

So I have this white betta named Sesshomaru with red fins. I have had him for maybe 5 months now? He lives in a 2.3 gallon tank and seems very content in it. The tank has both a filter and a heater. It is decorated with pebbles ( because gravel falls down my drain) and a fake plant. I feed my betta 1time a day just a pinch of pelets (so about ten at the most.) he gets every little bit almost immediately and acts as if he is still hungry. I used to have a moss rock, but he didn't really do anything with it... I moved it too my Koi's tank. BEFORE YOU YELL AT ME, this koi is 4 inches. As soon as he reaches 6 inches I plan to make a pond in my back yard and move him to it. I have no intention of keeping him there. He is very active, eats everything I give him and gets along with his tank mate very well! Anyway, My Pure white Koi, SnowFlake, is alone with only a tiny 1 inch albino sucker fish ( pleco - they get along very well) in a 20 gallon tank decorated with gravel a red bridge a tree and some fake bamboo stuff. This 20 gallon tank has a waterfall filter. I feed my Koi one tiny scoop each of dried mysis, blood worms and daphnia. This food comes in a fail-a-treat betta snack thing. Ill explain more about why I'm giving it to my koi later. All three fish are very active. I clean the Betta's tank once every Monday. I clean the pebbles, tank and plant with hot water and them fill the tank with medium heated water and leave it out to sit for 1 hour to get it to room temperature. I treat the tank with water conditioner. As for the Koi tank, I change 30% of the water monthly and again the water is treated with conditioner.
Now on to my issues. First of all. When I moved the moss rock to my Koi's tank, he had began to nibble at the moss. Now I have noticed that he has ripped out chunks and chunks of it. Is this okay? Should I be concerned about this behavior?
Next, my koi has these pinkish spots. Not many at all, just 2 or 3. They are pretty small too. He doesn't act sick, like I said he is very active, he swims normally, he eats everything I give him (he does leave a bit for his tankmate the sucker fish) and I haven't noticed any clamped fins or anything.
Now about my betta. Sesshomaru has been very happy in his tank so far. Until now I have never noticed any issues with him. I know that it is unhealthy for Betta's to only eat pellets. It bloats them or something. This is why I bought a betta fail good thing that comes with dried food full of protein like I mentioned earlier, the thing I now feed to my little koi. My koi eats it just fine, he loves it infact, but my betta on the other hand won't eat it! I tried giving his like 2 pellets and a a few of the daphina things because they are small just like his pellets but he wildest the pellets and ignore the daphina. I don't want to keep giving him pellets when this stuff would be much healthier. How can I get him to eat this new food or should I just keep feeding him the pellets?
Lastly, my betta has a pure white body which makes it easy for me to spot things on him. Recently I have noticed small brown spots on his back and sides. I have looked it up but I'm finding nothing, what is this? Is it a form of ich or something? How do I treat it?
I don't know how to post pictures as of now, if you'd be kind enough to tell me I would gladly provide pictures for you to help judge my issues. Thanks.

 

Are you saying you put the betta in with a koi fish?
Also, I wouldn't wait until he reaches 6 inches to be put into a pond. You're risking stunting its growth.
What are you parameters?

If you're on mobile, click the paperclip. Itll let you add a picture.

 

Welcome to the forums!

If you're on the mobile app, look to the left side of the box you type your posts into. There will be an up arrow (^) tap on that, then tap on the ixon that looks like a landscape/picture.

I can't answer everything you asked, but I give my betta frozen bloodworms. Perhaps your bettas don't like how dry the treats are--in which case, try soaking them in a little tank water before feeding. I would also recommend feeding your bettas more than once a day. I think you're giving too much at one feeding, you might try splitting the amount into multiple feedings. There is a betta subforum if you're interested, and a betta care sheet that I found very useful https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/betta-care-guide.226842/. BTW, Sesshomaru--nice! I have love for Inuyasha.

As for the koi, I feel like a 4" fish might be a bit big for an aquarium. Koi like to swim a lot, and it's difficult to get them enough room to swim in the average tank. If it's summer for you, now might be the time to get him in that pond, so that he can settle in before it starts getting colder.

 

Are you saying you put the betta in with a koi fish?
Also, I wouldn't wait until he reaches 6 inches to be put into a pond. You're risking stunting its growth.
What are you parameters?

If you're on mobile, click the paperclip. Itll let you add a picture.

No the Betta is in it's own tank like I mentioned at the beginning. I will consider investing in a pond now since it is summer for me, but the way our budget is looking right now I might just have to wait until next summer. I can try to convince my mother though. As long as the koi is in no immediate danger he may just have to wait in the tank.

 

30% of a water change is not enough. You should be doing at least 50% weekly for each tank.
The betta's brown spots does not sound normal. But we won't know without a picture. But I can tell you its not Ich. Ich will be white speckles. Itll look like grains of salt sprinkled on its body.
As for the Koi..its not going to take a year to outgrow that tank. Its already too big for the tank its in. You should probably find someone with a pond asap or get a much bigger tank to last it until next summer.

Can you post your other questions directly please?

 

This was my Betta a few weeks after I got him.

And that's him now. It's kind of hard to see because I'm taking this with my iPhone and ya know he's a fish he likes to swim around.

Also if anyone would like to assist me with SnowFlake (the koi) this is a picture of those pinkish patches I mentioned... And what he's done with that moss ball...

unfortunately as soon as I pull out my phone and try to take a picture of him, he hides behind anything he can find... Camera shy xD either way that's the best I could get. That spot there is the biggest

 

What is the temp in your betta's tank?
I would definitely be upping the water changes. Like I said, at least 50% weekly.
I don't feed my betta's pellets.. I worry too much about bloating. So I give them Betta Flakes (and also frozen bloodworms, freeze dried bloodworms and veggies)
If you're worried about your betta not eating.. With all of my tanks, if a fish isn't going crazy over a frozen bloodworm, I *immediately* get suspicious.

In your situation, I would immediately do a 50% water change with Prime, fast for two days and feed a soft, mushed up deshelled pea. Do another small water change and try the frozen bloodworms.
He looks a little bloated and either cold or stressed. Maybe turn the lights of the two days you fast

 

The heater I have in the tank is preset from the factory, the manual says nothing about the temperature, just how to put it together. For the Betta's tank though I change the entire thing, it's much easier since it's only a 2 gallon tank he's in. As for betta flakes, Sesshomaru is small like all Betta's. I have betta flakes and regular tropical flakes but both flakes are HUGE. I can try feeding him some flakes but if he won't go for the blood worms them I don't have much hope for anything else. Also, I've heard Betta's love peas, I've never gotten around to giving him one before. How would I give that to him?

 

The heater I have in the tank is preset from the factory, the manual says nothing about the temperature, just how to put it together. For the Betta's tank though I change the entire thing, it's much easier since it's only a 2 gallon tank he's in. As for betta flakes, Sesshomaru is small like all Betta's. I have betta flakes and regular tropical flakes but both flakes are HUGE. I can try feeding him some flakes but if he won't go for the blood worms them I don't have much hope for anything else. Also, I've heard Betta's love peas, I've never gotten around to giving him one before. How would I give that to him?

You should have a thermometer.. Preferably not the stick on kind. Its very important to the know the temp. Especially for tropical fish in particular.
Its fine to have big flakes..just crush them. I rub the flakes between my fingers and my little betta has no problem eating them.

As for the peas: blanch them, squish the shell off, and mash up the inside. Youll want it to be small and soft. Drop a little at a time and let him feel it out

 

Okay I'll try that. I'm assuming frozen peas are best, however Canned would be easier for me to prepare. Would using canned peas come with any negatives?

 

Okay I'll try that. I'm assuming frozen peas are best, however Canned would be easier for me to prepare. Would using canned peas come with any negatives?

Honestly ive never used canned peas, but I bet Aquaphobia could answer your question!

 

Pretty sure the only thing you really have to watch for in canned veggies is salt. You can get no salt added canned stuff though so that shouldn't be a problem

Personally I like frozen just because when I open the package I can take out only as much as I need and reseal it. Cans I have to use right away, but I just see it as sharing my dinner with my pets

 

I know w/ green beans canned is just fine and would assume such. I wish more people understood this. (Next pg.)

Waterchanges are dependant on 3 factors:
Removing Nitrates.
- realize, if you gain 20 per week, and remove 50%, you have 10. Next week you gain 20, thus you are at 30, and remove 50% down to 15. Sometimes you need to check and double up a few changes to keep trates down. This is a HUGE factor in petco/petsmart. (Also depends on each store... Anyways)
Returning key elements.
- many of your elements in your tank will evap, algae, or be used for growing fish. If your "insert element here" drops it can have negative effects.
Growth Hormones.
- this isn't 100% for every fish, but studies suggest hormones can be kept in water and also reduce the amount of growth, healthyness, etc.

Anyways thanks for reading my rant. I assume when you wash your bettas tank you are using tap water WITH chlorine. If so, you are killing all of your good bacteria and quite possibly minI cycling your tank.

Also Bettas can become picky eaters over time. Mine gets pellets (all assorted types) Brine, vege's, bloodworms, and flake all on occasion.

Koi can easily become impacted due to the waters nitrates. Basically if the water contains a higher waste amount than their insides, they hold the waste in. (Fish also remove a lot of ways through scales/body, not just poop) and also, a year is a very long time for stunting growth. Koi can very easily grow 1" per month, and waiting is very detrimental. I completely disagree with the idea of bones not growing (thus organs outgrow your fish) but there is no evidential proof. I have yet to see a fish die to that, but we also don't dissect our fish after death to learn... Also. Koi/goldfish and a few other types of fish should have limited protein diets. You mentioned you add Brine Shrimp? The shells will help clean their system and digest protein better. Add some Peas! Usually people deshell them. You could also chop romain lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, green beans.



Get your Ammonia to 0,
Nitrites to 0,
Nitrates as low as possible (if your tap water is 40ppm get it under 50ppm.)
Add vege's.
Upsize your koi tank as big as possible if you can't do a pond. Yes 6" in a 20 (assuming long not high) long tank isn't against standards, but you also need to realize, koi will (and should) get 24-36" long. Thus they would need a 5'x5'x2' tank.

If none of this prevails in 1-2 weeks consider meds. (Diagnose your problem first... However API General Cure and EM Erythrom. Together work on a vast majority)

 

HI there, you said you had a pleco in a 20 gallon right? Unfortunately the is WAY to small. The albino pleco which stores commonly sell is a common pleco that grows to be a foot and a half long and need a 120 gallon+ tank. Seeing as you are going to have to build that pond sooner than you thought, I'd put the pleco in there. They grow like crazy and I've known piece who's pleco went from 2" to 8" in a few months. For the sake and well being of your fish.
~Mudkipz

 

I agree get that pond built

 

If it's an albino pleco it's almost certainly a BN pleco, which does not get that big. Maybe 6" for the males, tops. Common plecos are not available in anything other than brown

The tank is on the small side for even a BN pleco though mostly for the bioload.

 

Hmm... Aquaphobia then I hace been misled. I have seen albino plecos over a foot long before so maybe it was an anomaly but a lot of pet store near me have large plecos (commons) of similar size, both brown and albinos.
~Mudkipz

 

Sounds cool! Until recently, commons were the only readily available pleco near me but I've never seen an albino.

 

Yeah they are quite cute as plecos go but I'm honestly not too much of a catfish fan, especially as I would need a monster tank for one XD
~Mudkipz

 

For a common, definitely! BN's though don't need nearly as big a tank. Still have an impressive bioload though

 

Which betta...

If its siamese betta a.k.a fighter fish... It is a tropical fish it needs warmer enviorment... Koi is a cold water fish... So the first thing you must do is to seprate them in different tanks... Their temperature needs are diffrent... Your betta can pick on slime produced by koi which will effect its immune system....

 

If its siamese betta a.k.a fighter fish... It is a tropical fish it needs warmer enviorment... Koi is a cold water fish... So the first thing you must do is to seprate them in different tanks... Their temperature needs are diffrent... Your betta can pick on slime produced by koi which will effect its immune system....

They are in separate tanks.

 

2nd thing as you heat up the water it looses dissolved gases. So heated water needs more aeration even after it is cooled...
3rd when you heat water a lot it loses useful minerals also...
4th you said you boil your pebbles and decorations every month... Which means you killed all the good bacteria which colonized in your tank during nitrogen cycle...
so I think you need to start nitrogen cycle again...
remember cleaning your aquarium is okay... Caring for your pets is okay... But to overdo anything is bad....

Koi's are said to be very hardy and low maintenance but in reality you have to work very hard for keeping koi... First you will need a very big tank or an big outdoor pond...
2nd making your own food will be better than market food...
bring in some chicken liver, telapia or salmon fillets, spinach, some green peas.... If you want you can add a bit of corriander or thyme leaves with little bit of minced ginger and raw turmeric in very small amount... Dry your chicken liver and salmon fillet in sun... Then boil spinach, green peas and all the vegis... Remember to remove coatings from peas... Put them in a grinder... Make it like a thick paste... Then pour it in your ice tray... And cover it with kiln film and frreze it... Feed these to your kois atleast once in a day....
remember to have a powerfull filter motors because kois are messy eaters and big dumpster...

 

I'm not so sure that heated water loses minerals though I suppose warmer water may be dissolving faster and leaving mineral deposits behind.

Boiling the decorations will affect the BB slightly but most should be living in the filter media so it's most important to be careful when cleaning that.

 

Ok so... Peacefantasy, I did exactly what you said with the peas. My betta refused to touch the drop of pea I put in. I tried giving some to my Koi, he eats everything. While I did get him to each a bit, he spit most of the drops out. Now to see if mr.pleco will eat what Snowie didn't...
In other news, I did get Sesshomaru, my picky asf betta, to eat flakes.

And... Manjit, I like your idea of making my own food, but seeing how I'm having trouble getting my betta to eat most all foods, I don't think he would eat anything I make either.
About the filter though, I'm am getting a six pack tomorrow. Woulda changed it sooner but my mother didn't know what kind of thing I needed... Hopefully this works. As for the betta filter, it's an air filter that came with the tank. Noisy, but it seems to work fine and I also don't have to replace anything once a month or so... I did here about surface tension or something but.... Idk My fishie friend seems very healthy... Other than those brown spots... Btw, ANY ONE KNOW WHAT THAT IS YET??? I've gotten lots of great tips from you guys but I would like to first identify the issue before I start trying to fix it with random things. Same with the koi. And stop telling me to get a pond. Mom says no, and I don't have friends to give it to. Besides, even if I did no body's gonna take a sick fish.
That being said, I'm thinking about taking him back to petsmart(petdumb). But before I do I still need to treat him. I don't want the next person to buy this beautiful, (EXTREMELY) fast fish and have to deal with some illness. And I know petdumb isn't gonna treat him so I need to be the one to help the poor thing. Now... Any thoughts about the actual issues at hand and not about how cute Pleco's are?(⌒-⌒; )

 

Do you mean the spots on your Betta? Those just look like places where the extra thick scales are either missing or just didn't fully develop. It doesn't look like a disease.

 

Like I demonstrated and said, the spots whereby there when I got him. They've just appeared last week really...

 

I don't understand what you just wrote...

 

Well anyway. My grandmother is coming to pick up my koi. She has a fish pond in her back yard and is looking to sticking with koi. She's taken care of fish like, her whole life so I trust little Snowie with her.

What I ment to say though was (auto correct failed me) "The spots where not there when I first bought him. They have only been there since a few weeks ago"

*looking to stock it with koi

 

I know it's not any fun to rehome a fish, but you can visit at least. When I first realized that I would have to rehome my goldfish, I did a lot of research into fish that had personalities but which wouldn't outgrow my tank. There's a lot out there.

I didn't answer your original question because I didn't know the answer, and I'm still learning about fish diseases. But if it helps any, two of my three goldfish changed colors about two months after I got them, so perhaps it's just a coloring change.

 

I'm really excited for you its good your grandmother has a pond. At least someone you personally know is interested in fish