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You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Pet Fish > Fish > betta with ulcer?
Expert: Amber Worman
Date: 7/15/2007
Subject: betta with ulcer?
Question
Hi, i just found your site and saw you answered questions about sick bettas. My Betta has been sick for awhile and i am getting very desperate. I believe he has developed an ulcer on his side (at least that's what they said when I brought him into the set store). They gave me medicine and I was using the appropriate dose for about 3 weeks and one night he just got sooo much worse. He could only float on the top and couldn't keep himself upright, only on his side. It turns out his carbon filter was rendering the medicine inactive.
I took out his filter and continued using the medication (BettaFix). He initially seemed a lot better but for almost a week has made no other progress. He still rests on his side without moving and doesn't eat much. He looks uncomfortable and struggles to keep himself upright and to move.
I have tried everything the pet store has recommended (very little) I have even attempted to find a vet that will look at him (without luck). This fish really means a lot to me and is a special part of me life. It is killing me that he is sick. Please any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Lillian
Answer
Hello Lillian-
I know how hard it is when one of your babies is sick...It's so difficult to care for sick fish. Here are some steps you can take to help your little guy improve:
1.) Keep dosing with BettaFix. It's a good cure-all and will help a lot.
2.) Do a 25% water change at the end of each week. Try to minimize the stress and make it as gentle as possible for your betta.
3.) At each water change, add a full dosage of aquarium salt (the dosing instructions are on the box - a small box will go a long way.)
4.) Warm up the water to approximately 80-82 F.
5.) If you can find it, Blackwater Extract is said to work miracles on bettas. A more common alternative is Melafix. use a full dose, daily.
6.) Feed only once per day, and feed 4-5 pellets at each feeding.
Hope this helps...It's hard to say exactly what to do since I can't see the ulcer or any of his symptoms, but this treatment should help.
-Amber Worman
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