AboutAmber Worman Expertise I specialize in Gouramis, Black Moors, Fantail goldfish, and Bettas. I can answer questions about fish behavior, tank mates, diseases, and living conditions. I do not have much experience with breeding these types of fish, however.
Experience Fish are my passion - I have raised these types of fish for as long as I can remember. I am a college student at Purdue University where I have a major in Biology and a position as a lab technician in a fish laboratory.
Question Hi, I need help for my fiances sake, we went through 2 bettas living only about a week and a half at a time.
We bought water conditioner, food, a larger tank, new rocks each time.... My fiance has kept bettas before and one lived for over 2 years. We recently just got back into fish and are having what looks like a fungus problems. Our last fish optimus prime began acting strange by staying at the bottom of the tank at almost all times, and it looked like he never ate his daily food. Then he started not swimming around at all. After the first week, he began to grow a white mossy substance all over, and his beautiful blue scales startedturning a dull faded blue. Im not worried about having to buy another fishy friend, but I want to make sure he will be safe from our mourge drain in the bathroom. we need help what do we do??? Thanks
-nick-
Answer Hello Nick-
White "fluff" on your betta is definitely a fungus - You can re-use the tank and rocks but be sure to treat both with a fungicide or soak in diluted bleach for a day (rinse thoroughly with water afterwards, of course.)
Be sure to keep your betta's water warm (80 F) to keep his immune system strong - cold bettas are more likely to get sick, and more bacteria is likely to grow if the water temperature is lower. Use a heater or a heat lamp to keep them nice and warm.
Be sure to change the water weekly (if you have a tank less than 10 gallons) and add fresh water if any evaporates.
Adding some aquarium salt to the water can help kill off fungus and bacteria, as can a medicine called Melafix.
