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If you haven't already looked at the signs
of a healthy betta page, then read that first. If you have, then
please, keep reading
STOP!!!
If you have a sick betta in with any other fish, take him/her out
of that tank! He/she could pass his/her disease to other fish. If
he/she is in a community tank than make sure that the other fish are
not infected.
Ok, now for
the actually diseases.
Just kidding!
First the basic stuff.
| BETTA
NOT EATING
If your
betta is not eating then that isn't good! If your betta isn't
eating, then he could be sick in many ways. Not eating can
be one of the symptoms of many diseases.
NOT
ACTIVE
Ok, so
we all know that an inactive betta is a baaaaaaad thing! But!
But it can be fixed! (hopefully!) This is just like the "not
eating" symptom. It can be part of many diseases! |
Now! Now, I
will talk about the actual diseases ;)
| TAIL/FIN
ROT
INFO:
This disease speaks for its self! (Remember, if you buy a
pet store betta and it has short fins, to make sure it has
naturally short fins or if its fins are rotting!) This disease
is mainly caused by dirty water. This disease isn't very contagious,
but if in a community tank or in a divided tank, it should
be removed.(just in case!:))
SYMPTOMS:
Well, you fish's fins or tail will be rotting (duh!) and may
turn black or gray or brown or even red. You may find the
fins on the bottom of the tank if you don't have a filter
or if you have a weak filter. The betta may also be eating
normal, or it might have lost it's appetite. It's fins may
be clamped too. In the health
chart, I mentioned that a betta might dart around trying
to scratch himself.
HOW TO
FIX: I currently have 2 bettas with it, so I heard to change
the water and a medication called "Neosulfex". Keep
the water very clean. Also, "Bettamax" is a medicine
and it helps all kinds of fungus and may be good for fin/tail
rot and other things. I am currently using it.
HOW TO
PREVENT: Keep water clean and change water every so often.
(Now, that doesn't mean you can change very year! Every week
if it is small and has no filter and maybe 2 to 3 weeks for
a larger tank with a filter. I've never had a REALLY big tank
like 50-100 gallon, so you have to figure out when to change
it yourself.:)) |
| POPEYE
INFO:
Eye(s) are swollen and/or red. It looks like its eyes are
popping out of its head! It can get really bad looking and
you might not want to look at your betta! It is also mainly
caused by dirty water, so keep your tank clean, clean, clean!
It is not usually fatal, but should be treated. It is contagious,
so don't let him in any other tanks! (Even if he gives you
"fishy eyes" ;))
SYMPTOMS:
Well, he'll have gigantic eyes for one thing! He might also
have rings around his eyes. He may not eat and be very inactive.
That's all folks! :D
HOW TO
FIX: Ok, like I said, bettamax is for fungus and infections,
and Tetracycline which is very strong. For more info on Tetracycline,
go to this
page,which is not part of my site. Read the first few
boxes.
HOW TO
PREVENT: Once again, keep the water clean, clean, clean! Make
sure to remove any uneaten food for it will build up ammonia
which is toxic to you little betta friend :( |
| DROPSY
INFO:
The most fatal disease. Very little is known about this disease
except that is a killer. Some say it is contagious, some say
it is not, but I wouldn't take any chances.
SYMPTOMS:
The most common symptoms to look for are bloating and a large
belly and puffed up scales. The scales become filled with
fluid and spring out like a pinecone.
HOW TO
FIX: There is no known cure, but keep water clean, and DO
NOT have it near other bettas, because if it is contagious
then you could pass it to another fish and begin to pass it
on to other fish and so on.
HOW TO
PREVENT: Once again keep the water clean, and also feed him
proper nutrition. |
| ICK
INFO:
It is ICHY!! Yes, it is the little evil disease of ick. It
is VERY contagious so add the medication to the fish close/around
to it.(Just in case) If you use frozen or live food, the food
may carry ick.
SYMPYOMS:
The first symptom is the dots. Wait! Ok now I got it. The
first symptom is the dots. That's better. Larger
or smaller dots will appear on your betta and it will look
like your betta is sprinkled with salt. He may be less active,
stop eating and fins may be clamped.
HOW TO
FIX: Ick is a parasite, and is heat sensitive. I don't have
much experience, so you might want to try somewhere else for
this disease.
HOW TO
PREVENT: If you add aquarium salt, it will almost never get
ick. Live food that you feed to your bettas can also carry
ich. |
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