Betta Fish Diseases
| Disease | Symptom (s) | Cause (s) | Treatment (s) |
| Columnaris | Cottony white growths along the body and ... | Stress, poor water quality. | Clean water and/or Anti-fungal medicatio ... |
| Dropsy | Extreme body swelling and pineconing of ... | Virus, bacterial infection, or parasites ... | Kanamycin Sulfate or Maracyn II |
| Hole in Head | Visible holes above the eyes. | Poor nutrition and water quality. | Clean water and proper betta fish food. |
| Ich/Ick | Small white dots on body and fins, rubbi ... | Poor water quality, stress, or contagiou ... | Clean water and Rid Ich Plus or Mardel C ... |
Full Answer
Is betta fish same as fighting fish?
Thus, the term "fighting fish" is used to generalize all Betta species besides the Siamese fighting fish. Siamese fighting fish were originally given the scientific name Macropodus pugnax in 1849—literally "aggressive fish with big feet", likely in reference to their elongated pelvic fins.
What illness does betta fish have?
The Comprehensive List Of Betta Fish Diseases And Illnesses
- Swim Bladder Disease. Swim bladder disease is a common illness that bettas suffer from, and if left untreated it can often advance to dropsy.
- Fin Rot. If you notice that your bettas tail looks like it’s becoming ragged and torn, then they could be suffering from fin rot.
- Constipation. ...
- Dropsy. ...
- Velvet. ...
- Ich. ...
- Popeye. ...
- Cloudy Eye. ...
- Columnaris. ...
- Tuberculosis. ...
Can You revive a betta fish?
A betta fish can’t come back to life after death, but you can revive a dying fish from totally dying. Once a fish is dead, there is nothing an aquarist can do. The only help you can provide is when it is still alive but dying.
Is a betta fish a killer fish?
The Betta Fish (also known as Siamese fighting fish) is an incredibly popular freshwater fish who’s beautiful and vividly colored tails can be found elegantly swimming in aquariums all around the world. Their wild, eye-catching coloring has made them one of the most popular fish in the aquarium hobby and a lot of misinformation is available online.
How do you get rid of fungus on a Betta fish?
4:268:01How to Fight Fungus on Aquarium Fish - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTake away any chemical filtration as usual. And then if it's a minor case of the body fungus goMoreTake away any chemical filtration as usual. And then if it's a minor case of the body fungus go ahead and use one teaspoon of ickex. And one packet of maracin for every 10 gallons of water.
How long does it take for a fish to recover from fungus?
This depends on how bad the problem is to start with. By using King British Fin Rot & Fungus Control there should be an improvement in 4-5 days. Due to fish having open wounds it is very important to keep water quality pristine, to prevent secondary infection taking place.
Can salt cure fungus in fish?
The fish fungus can be treated in quarantine with salt at mild doses for up to 2 weeks. This helps reduce the potential bacteria or fungus that the fish introduced to the system. Salt is a common alternative to medications like antibiotics while the fish is in quarantine for its healing abilities.
How do you clean a fish tank with fungus?
Mix clean water and vinegar in a 1:1 ratio and fill it in a spray bottle. Go to your tank's top and start spraying the mixture generously. Let it sit for 5 minutes and wash it off with hot water. Continue this step twice to get rid of all the mold.
What does fish fungus look like?
True fungal infections in fish are less common than parasites or bacteria. They typically appear as white cottony or "furry" growths on fish but can also be internal. They can be induced by substandard water quality, infected food or open wounds, but there are many other causes.
How much salt should I put in my betta tank?
Use 1 tablespoon of salt for every 5 gallons of water in your tank. Never add aquarium salt directly to your tank. Instead, place a small amount of tank water into a container and dilute the salt before adding it to your tank.
Can I put aquarium salt in my betta tank?
No! You should never substitute regular table salt or Epsom salts for aquarium salt. Both those kinds of salt contain coloring, flavor enhancers, and other additives that could harm or even kill your betta buddy. Using table salt can affect the water quality in the tank, as well as changing the pH level.
Can I put table salt in my fish tank?
Table salt is often treated with chemicals, such as iodine, and anti-caking agents, some of which contain low toxin levels, including cyanide. Table salt is potentially very harmful to your fish, so never substitute table salt for aquarium salt.
What is betta fungal infection?
Betta fish are tropical fish and fungal infections from spores in your fish tank are among the most common diseases they can suffer from.
What are the signs and symptoms of fungal infection in betta fish?
The characteristic white fluffy appearance, also known as ‘cotton wool disease,’ is a hallmark sign of fungal infection.
What causes betta fungal infection?
Poor water condition increases the likelihood of Fungal infections to strike. This happens when water parameters are not optimal.
What are the different fungal infections seen in betta fish?
The cotton wool disease is a generalized term used to talk about fungal infections on the skin, fins, and mouth of a betta. The fuzzy white patches colonize an area previously injured by cuts, affects, or nips by other fish. Saprolegnia and Achyla are the most common fungi in these infections but other fungi may also lead to these infections.
Do I need a separate tank when treating fungal infections?
A hospital tank or quarantine tank is where you will place your betta as they undergo treatment. You can treat your betta fish in its main tank if it is the only inhabitant. If your betta is part of a community tank, then you should take out the infected fish and put them in a separate quarantine tank.
How do we begin treating fungal infections in betta fish?
Once you notice the signs and symptoms of fungal infection, you may use the following as a guide. If you are not comfortable in treating your betta then it is best to seek the help of a veterinarian who specializes in fish care. They are the best people to seek advice from.
What medication is best to treat fungal infections?
Aquarium salt may be very effective if you have detected the fungal infection in its early stage but it has become widespread then medication may be necessary. If you already went through one week using aquarium salt but you still see the infection progressing, then it is probably best to use the medicine.
What to do if your betta fish has a virus?
Create what’s known as a quarantine or hospital aquarium so that the treatments or medicines don’t harm your other critters or plants. If any other fish also have the infection, be sure to put them in quarantine along with the betta (or even better, create a separate quarantine aquarium for each of them).
How to tell if a betta is infected?
Symptoms. The main sign of a betta fungal infection is white blotchy patches on the body and head of the betta. Your betta may start rubbing itself against objects in the aquarium. General reactions to illness will also occur, such as a loss of colour, loss of appetite, lethargy or clamped fins.
Why do fish get infections in aquariums?
Most infections are usually caused by a pre-existing infection or injury. Fungi are present throughout most aquariums, but certain conditions increase the possibility of fungal infections, such as poor water quality, or a stressed or injured fish. An unclean aquarium is what usually causes the fish stress, leading to a fungal infection.
How long does it take for salt to burn betta fish?
The treatment of putting salt in the aquarium water should never be carried out for a prolonged length of time. After 10 days of adding salt with the medication, discontinue adding the salt.
What is a fungal infection?
A fungal infection is when a fungus grows and eats the skin, fins and body of a fish. It appears as a white, cotton-like slime on the fish. Fortunately, most fungal infections only attack the external tissues of fish. Most infections are usually caused by a pre-existing infection or injury. Fungi are present throughout most aquariums, ...
Can you cure betta fungus?
If caught in its early phases, a fungal infection is easy to cure. It’s always a good idea to keep a look out for it. If you don’ t notice it until it’s in its advanced stages, the betta won’t be as easily cured and it may not be possible to save it from dying.
Can a fish get a fungal infection?
Fungal infections are very contagious, so sometimes if one fish has it, it’s likely it will spread to the others. Fungal infections are commonly contracted when a fish with an infection is added to the aquarium.
Symptoms
White growths on the body and/or fins that are fluffy/fuzzy in appearance. May appear as long strands looking similar to fine hairs pulled from a cotton ball. May appear as small patches of short white fuzz. Symptoms matching the above would be signs of fungus types caused by bacteria.
Treatment
Jungle Fungus Eliminator comes in the form of yellow crystals, and the dosage breakdown would be (per Jungle Laboratories) 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water. Also, adding aquarium salt, (not table salt) would aid in his healing as well as provide added protection. The dosage during treatment would be 1 teaspoon per gallon.
How to get rid of fungus in betta?
Move your betta to a healthy environment. Fungus is extremely contagious, so first of all, remove your betta to a clean quarantine tank away from his tank mates. Don’t put living plants in the quarantine tank, as the salt and chemicals you’re going to use to treat your betta will probably kill them.
What to feed a betta?
Make sure your betta has a diet that includes tropical flakes, betta mini pellets, frozen bloodworms, mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, and the like.
How long does a betta stay in quarantine?
Your betta will need to spend a couple of weeks in the quarantine tank, undergoing fungus treatment. So, take the opportunity to give your pet’s main aquarium a thorough cleaning.
Why do bettas have white spots on their heads?
Fungus on the betta’s head and body. If white, fluffy growths appear on the fish’s body, that’s most likely caused by a species of aquatic fungus. The good news is that you can often treat the condition using aquarium salt or natural rock salt without the need to use drug therapy.
Why does my betta fish flick?
Your betta will most likely begin flicking or rubbing against your tank decorations and the substrate in response to the irritation that the fungus causes. Affected fish have a poor appetite, aren’t as active as usual, lose their bright colors, and may clamp their fins against their sides, too.
What is API fungus?
API fungus medications are formulated to treat Saprolegnia fungus infections and the secondary bacterial infections that sometimes develop. These medications contain hydrochloride that can help to control the spread of the fungus, as well as prevent its growth.
What is API in aquarium medicine?
API is a highly respected manufacturer of fish medications, general tonics, and associated fish care products, and the company has been around for 50 years. That’s why most experienced hobbyists turn to API products when it comes to stocking their aquarium medicine cabinets.
What is the best treatment for fish fungus?
After many years of running a fish store and helping hundreds of customers, Maracyn, Ich-X, and salt are the treatments we have found that work best against fish fungus.
What to do if you have a bacteria infection in your aquarium?
Before treatment, clean the aquarium and remove any chemical filtration (like activated carbon or Purigen resin).
How hot do bettas get?
Bettas enjoy temperatures around 78 to 80°F, which means they need a heater if your room temperature is below this range. Also, it helps to house them in an aquarium that holds at least 5 gallons or more to prevent their waste from quickly fouling the water.
Why is my fish's mouth white?
Fungal outbreaks are often caused by stressful or poor water quality conditions and can rapidly lead to secondary diseases, so it’s important to address the problem immediately.
How long does it take for a fish to heal from salt?
If the fish is healed after one week, gradually remove the salt via a series of weekly 30% water changes. If the fungus is still active, you’ll need to increase the salt concentration. For detailed instructions on how to do this, please continue reading our full article on salt dosing.
How to keep African cichlids safe?
Minimize bullying and food aggression among African cichlids. Vacuum the gravel more frequently for bottom dwellers, and keep the water quality high for sensitive species. Avoid keeping shy fish around loud TVs, bright lights that create moving shadows, or high traffic areas in your home.
Can fungus come back on fish?
Fungus is often preventable, so the next step is to find the cause of the infection. There’s no point in treating the fish if we don’t stop the source of the problem because then the fungus may come back again in full force.
How to keep a betta fish from getting sick?
The best way to keep your betta fish from getting sick is to keep them happy and healthy by following proper betta fish care. It’s always better to be proactive than reactive.
What is betta fin rot?
Fin rot or tail rot (melt) is probably the most common betta fish disease. It’s often confused with tail biting, resulting from boredom, and tears on sharp tank decor. Upon inspection, the tail (caudal) or other fins will show visible signs of the disease.
Why do betta fish get dropsy?
Dropsy can be caused by numerous issues including viral disease, parasites, poor nutrition, and bacteria. It’s also common amongst keepers who feed their betta’s live food. Dropsy is actually not a disease, but rather the symptom of what’s going on inside the betta fish’s body from other ailments.
What causes betta fish to have ich?
Ich or Ick. Another one of the most common betta fish diseases is Ich, and it’s caused by parasites. Ich is characterized by small white dots that are similar in size to a granule of sugar. These spots are visible to the naked eye and appear along the body and fins of a betta fish.
What happens if you have a sick betta fish?
If you have a sick betta fish, you’re probably feeling a little scared, confused, and anxious about how this happened. While relatively hardy fish, betta fish can suffer from parasitic, bacterial, and fungal diseases just like any other freshwater fish. Quick identification and treatment will minimize potential damage and get your colorful friend ...
Why does my betta fish's eye bulge out?
It can be very startling seeing these symptoms, but it is treatable. The most common cause of popeye is prolonged exposure to poor water quality.
What is red streak on betta fish?
Septicemia (Red Streaks) This rare disease affects betta fish who are stressed (e.g. continual and quick changes in water temperature) or have been wounded. Septicemia is a bacterial infection that can be caused by adding new community fish without quarantining them, or feeding infected food.
25 Common Betta Fish Diseases
Although fin rot is common, it is easily treated. To kill the bacteria that causes fin rot, medications such as Melafix and Aquarisol are usually added to the aquarium water. The most effective way to treat Fin Rot is to use a product like Melafix to kill the harmful bacteria in your aquarium.
Prevention
Prevention is always preferable to treatment. There are many ways to avoid Popeye infections, and here are a few of them:
People Also Asked For
Fin rot is a common disease that affects aquarium fish. Bacteria cause the disease, which causes the fish’s fins to turn white around the edges and develop a ragged, split appearance. You must treat this disease as soon as possible to prevent it from spreading to the betta’s body or causing permanent finnage damage. I’m sorry (White Spot Disease)