He has a nice bowl and clean environment. My mom says its called "gunk". But how do i get rid of it before my fish dies?
2007-01-07 03:07:30 · 13 answers · asked by Scooter 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
It's most likely fungus if it looks cottony. It's probably not ich because ich looks like granules of salt over his whole body and not just in one place. However, there might be a chance that he has columnaris. All of these diseases can be cured and aren't usually fatal if they're treated correctly and promptly.
First and foremost, completely clean his tank. Boil his decorations and gravel, scrub the entire tank and unboilable decorations with vinegar and hot water and rinse well (a little residue won't be harmful like soap could be, but still rinse as well as you can). Refill the tank with completely fresh, treated water and aquarium salt. Aquarium salt is very inexpensive (you can find cartons of it at virtually any pet store) and it makes the water inhospitable to fungus and bacteria (I.E.- it prevents more from growing!).
Next, buy him a fungus treatment. There are many on the market, but the most common and inexpensive medication is probably Jungle Fungus Clear. Whatever meds you choose, be sure to follow all the directions on the package exactly and follow through with the entire course of treatment.
If the fungus meds haven't worked within a month or so, upgrade him to a maracyn/maracyn two combo, and if that doesn't work, upgrade to tetracycline. These meds are increasingly more stressful on your fish, so don't use them unless absolutely nothing else has worked.
Fungus is caused by nothing more than dirty water. Your bowl is probably half a gallon or less and the water should be changed at least twice a week (if not more) to keep him healthy. Please upgrade him to a larger tank as soon as you can. Apart from giving him more room, this will reduce the frequency of you tank cleanings from several times a week to once a week or even less with partial water changes in between.
Good luck.
2007-01-07 06:36:25 · answer #1 · answered by bettalover 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like it could be ichthyosis, or ich, although I don't know much about that particular breed of fish. I would go to a reputable pet store and describe the problem and ask what they suggest. They probably will give you a tablet or drops to put in your tank.
I just read somebody else's answer. Is that the breed that lives alone in a small bowl? If so there is no need to need to destroy your fish. A good pet store will know what to do.
2007-01-07 11:13:44 · answer #2 · answered by team_bar1o 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like it could be ick - pet stores carry treatment. Fish can get this from temperature changes. Did you just recently change his water? Maybe it was too much of a change of temperature all at once. Or he could have had it when you got him and it is getting worse, which it will. Go to pet store asap, the ick med. is inexpensive and easy to use. Make sure it is safe for bettas, there are different kinds, ask for help.
2007-01-07 11:22:00 · answer #3 · answered by sandy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My betta had that and iI think it is a fungus, if go to your local pet store you can get "general cure" tablets that disolve in the water. Also ask the people that work there if they think it is something else. And you should clean there tank just in case it is the water.
2007-01-07 11:13:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your fishie just isn't the same anymore then somethimngs wrong with him.It may also be just dead skin.I had a betta and the other fish were mean to him so we moved him to a different tank and he had the white stuff around his tail.
2007-01-07 11:17:35 · answer #5 · answered by powerraceygirl 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the white stuff is most likely ICK you can buy the medicine at any pet store or any store that sell fish or fish product
2007-01-07 11:29:57 · answer #6 · answered by BIZGIG 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a fungus and it is deadly to all of the fish in the tank. Destroy the fish that has the fungus, and then thouroughly clean and disinfect your tank. If you are very lucky, the other fish will not catch the fungus. If you are not lucky, you will have to completely start over.
2007-01-07 11:15:45 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
omg thats so cool i had a betta fish but if you get these things called general cure tablets they can hepl that
2007-01-07 11:57:52 · answer #8 · answered by ฿ęŊ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suggest you go to the pet store pronto because you don't know how long the little one will last. Waste no time!
2007-01-07 11:26:50 · answer #9 · answered by fishbone 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you need to be more specific. Does the fish look lethargic? Is he just floating and looking pale and listless? Are his fins clamped?
If not, keep observing him.
2007-01-07 17:27:27 · answer #10 · answered by JILL 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋