Severe Columnaris : Betta with white mouth

Tank

What is the water volume of the tank? 20 gallons
How long has the tank been running? Two months
Does it have a filter? Yes
Does it have a heater? Yes
What is the water temperature? 78-80
What is the entire stocking of this tank? (Please list all fish and inverts.) One half moon betta male one black tailed guppy.

Maintenance
How often do you change the water? Every week
How much of the water do you change? 39 percent
What do you use to treat your water? Dechlorinator
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water? The water

*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish? Yes
What do you use to test the water? API 5 in one test strips
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0.25
pH: 6.5

Feeding
How often do you feed your fish? Every day, except Saturday
How much do you feed your fish? A pinch
What brand of food do you feed your fish? Micropellets and bloodworms
Do you feed frozen or freeze-dried foods? No

Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish? One year
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms? About 10 minutes ago
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms? White mouth
Have you started any treatment for the illness? No
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase? No
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all? My betta hides a lot

Explain your emergency situation in detail. (Please give a clear explanation of what is going on, include details from the beginning of the illness leading up to now)
I recently got two guppies to live with my betta to help stop his tail biting. I got a black and orange on, and I’m 90 percent sure that Reef(my betta) killed her because she was smaller than him. He doesn’t move at all when he sees his own reflection. After the death, it seems now, that Reef has white stuff all over his mouth. Could somebody please explain what it is, and how do I treat it?

Now all he’s doing is laying on a leaf at the surface. I assume he’s trying to move as little as possible, and got in a position that he can breath with his fills and mouth
.

 

Hello, sorry to hear about your betta. You will need to follow the treatment for Columnaris linked here. I would also consider rehoming your guppy, he may have become stressed with the presence of other fish in his tank, especially guppies. Aggression is a stress and so is 'avoidance' behaviour. Stress lowers a fish immune system, allowing bacteria usually blocked from them to get in.
Is he still eating?

 

He’s trying to, as much as he can. Most of the time it takes two or three tries to get him to get the food.

I’m going to start treating him with Kanaplex and furon 2

Does anybody know of another way to treat it?

The columnaris is already at his eyes. I drove a long way to get the medicines (Kanaplex, Furon-2), and was wondering if I should add salt as well.

 

I personally wouldn't add the salt in addition to medications you're using as they are already hardcore stuff and the best thing to use when it has reached this stage.
Its good he's still taking food even in little amounts, and showing an interest is also a great sign.
Turning the temp down slowly to 75 should slow the spread as bacteria multiplies quicker in warmer water. Your guppy will be fine at this temp too.
I'm so sorry to hear its progressing quite quickly, keep us updated.

 

I already moved my betta over to a smaller tank. Would it be ok to add decorations in there so he's more comfortable?

I tried giving him a bloodworm, but the white has gone over his eves, so I don't think he can SEE it. He goes from sitting on the bottom, to moving extremely fast at the top of the water, stopping, and floating down. Everything stops moving except his gills, then his clear fins move again, and he spins with his tail. Repeat

 

Usually when a fish displays the signs of columnaris it’s game over for them and treating the tank is for the benefit of other fish. Personally, I would euthanize any fish showing symptoms of columnaris if I couldn’t isolate it for the benefit of the other fish. If columnaris goes away, usually it comes back with a vengeance.

Betas, I find come in a variety of different personalities. I used to find some male betas object to any other fish in the tank as flashy as they are, like male guppies. Yet some betas don’t care. I’m not surprised to hear of betas coming down with columnaris. I think they are one of the most mistreated fish in the hobby from breeders to stores.

Sorry to hear about your fish. My regrets.

 

Is there any other medication I could do for him? If he survives the night, I would prefer to do that.

 

Is there any other medication I could do for him? If he survives the night, I would prefer to do that.

I would go with the meds you picked up. That’s what I would use.

 

Put decorations in, so he can sit very close to the surface, literally just, so he only has to move his head to use his air organ.
I'd only do another treatment (in addition to what you have) if I really had to, as you don't want to stress him out.
That being said if you feel there is no other option I'd only do dips/baths. This would be meth blue in a jug/bowl, you can also 'paint' with it over the infected area. It will only 'treat' or ease the fungus/sores and not the underlying columnaris (only antibiotics have a hope, which you already have). You could also look into a salt bath, I honestly haven't tried this though...and salt at the levels needed can be very stressful for fish.
Have you used the medications you bought?

 

Yes, however he died about 30 minutes ago. He was my first ever fish... I just wished I could have known better.

R.I.P Reef


His first time home


His first birthday

 

Aww he was such a beautiful fish. I’m so sorry for your loss. You did all you could

 

Salt isn't a bad idea when dealing with a disease that often kills by ruining the water tightness of the skin (ich is another one). This causes an electrolyte imbalance which can lead to death.

The best treatment for Columnaris that you can buy OTC in the US is probably trimethoprim.

Early detection and treatment is probably the most important thing though.

 

Thank you, I'll remember that if it ever happens again.