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Expert: Lynda - 11/6/2009


Question

Betta Fish
I have had my betta fish for about half a year.  This past month, he has been sick, laying on the side floating at the top of the bowl, usually in a corner.  There is a small bump near the end of his body.  Also, his fins have red streaks and all sorts of patches (gray, white, yellow...but only on the fins...the fins are not decaying or getting smaller).  Sometimes he will dart aimlessly and furiously around the bowl, sometimes flip upside down before coming back to the top and resting again as if something was irritating him. (I have found him at the bottom of the bowl in an arch shape...I would bring him back up so he can breathe) I went out and bought a bunch of stuff for his 2G bowl: A 25W heater to keep temp steady b/w 77-80 (I have read that it's not good to have higher or lower temperatures than that). A sponge filter (so no current), a mardel master test kit (ammonia and ph, which is 0 and 5.2-6.6 respectively).  Also, AmQuel (removes nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, chloramines and chlorine), NovaAqua (bowl conditioner with vitamins and antivirus protection), Betafix, Aquarisol and Aquarium salt (my bowl smells like a hospital now).  I want to know what's wrong with him? Is it Ammonia poisoning from before? (when I didn't have all this stuff, just the bowl). Or is it swim bladder issue only and he looks bad from eating peas only for the past month (I seen brown poop once, and now green poop). He dosn't want to eat. I've fed him bloodworms daily according to what the store said (he refuses to eat pellets to this day or flakes) so I bought brine shrimp, but he still dosnt want to really eat.  I'm at a loss because I feel I tried everything so I'm asking the expert :) Basically, is there anything else that I can do or that can be wrong with him?

Answer
Hello,
Too much medication is not helping him.  Feeding him peas for a long time is also not good for him.  He should have one pea a week, along with variation in food.  Daphnia should be part of his diet.  Feed him in small amounts.  Two pellets, or two flakes for one meal.  He should have 2-3 small meals a day.  His tummy is the size of his eye, so we must always remember this when feeding him.  Bloodworms should be fed once a week as a treat, and no more.  Since you have fed him lots of peas, he may have cleaned himself out a little too much.  Bettas who refuse to eat are sick.
The only way to remove ammonia is water changes.  There is no other way.  In a two gallon bowl, his water should be changed twice a week with one good water conditioner.  I use "Stress Coat"  AquaPlus is also very good, and there is also a water conditioner especially for bettas on the market.
For now, change all of his water, add no salt, and buy "Tetracycline"  Do not wait.  Follow the directions on the package, and be careful not to overdose.  After three days, change all of his water again, and continue treatment for another three days, then change all of his water again.  Do not medicate more than this.  Leave him in clean water after this time, with only a good water conditioner, and nothing else.
Keep me posted on how the little man is doing.  I hope he makes it.
Lynda

Lynda

Expertise

I can help you with cichlids, african cichlids, betta fish. I have bred most of them, including the Discus, and Angel Fish, and Rams. I have also bred many african cichlids. I have bred bettas too...well I am a fish nut! I can help you with most diseases, and have experience in setting up a tank. I can tell you tricks on keeping your water alkaline without products. I also speak and write french. I have experience with salt water fish, but would rather not get into that field. Please when writing to me, give me detailed information. The size of your tank, your water chemistry, etc. The more I know, the more I can help you. I cannot guess at what you have, so please give me information and I will do my outmost to help you with any question you ask me. Please do not ask me questions on Goldfish, mollies, platies, and guppies. Lynda

Experience

I have worked in Petshops in the fish department...was Manager in two...and alot of my experience came from my home where I had 26 aquariums from 20 gallons to 200 gallons.

Publications
I have a MSN group but it has nothing to do with fish

Education/Credentials
I have finished high school, and went to college, in accounting

Past/Present Clients
Too many to mention

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