Is my Betta sick?

Question

He has a yellowish dust on him. He has a huge bump under his head. Can you tell me what it is and what to do?

The bump is big and fat, right where two fins are coming out.

The bump also has a yellow dusty look to it

Answer 1

It is quite possible that you have a parasite problem. It would be good if you could take him to a reputable acquarium store and let them look at it. If there is an experienced veterinarian that deals with fish in your area this would be a better choice. However, it is hard to find veterinarians that deal with fish.

Answer 2

A yellowish dust is the classic sign on a disease called velvet. It is a parasite on the fishes skin, fins and gills. The best treatment depend on what you are keeping him in; a bowl or a tank.

If a bowl, change 100% of the water and try to keep him as warm as possible up to about 88-90 F is fine. Also as some salt to the tank. For a tank a proper amount is 4 teaspoons per 5 gallons, so you will need to figure that based on the size of the bowl. As soon as possible begin treating with a Malachite Green based parasite medicine. (Caution: Malachite Green is a known carcinogen so take care not to get it on your skin) Even though this is certainly not ick, many ick medicines contain the right active ingredient. Follow the dosing directions as carefully as possible. Treat for at least 5 days after you see that the coloration is gone.

For a tank follow the above directions except you would only change about 60% of the water and would clean the gravel well. Also remove the carbon for the filter for the duration of the treatment.

Hope this helps!

MM

Answer 3

Well, my betta has the same problem. He has a bump that is above his back. I have had my fish for almost 3 years but the bump just showed up about 2 months ago. I don't know what to do about it. Just take care of him like you normally do and treat him/her like you always have. That is what is i have been doing for the past 2 months or so when he first got the bump. My fish has been acting the same ever since. Good Luck!

Answer 4

it sounds like either ich or some type of fungus, the huge bump under his head...dont know exactly what that might be...fish are tricky, you cant really take them to the vet, so the best description you can give about the bump would be extremely helpful.

there are some meds that work for a good variety of different problems, so you may want to have them on hand (maracyn and rid-ich). you can scoop your betta into a small cup and float him in the tank, then add a small amount of meds (about 7 drops) is how the dosage breaks down for a small container. i would first try an ich med like Rid-Ich, since ich is the most common dusty looking organism. if there is ich in the tank, turn the heat up to about 85-speeds the life cycle of the ich, and since it needs a fish to live, it would die off faster. bettas dont mind the warm water (dont go over 85 F).

adding a small amount of freshwater salt helps the fish's slime coat, which protects the fish from invading organisms. treat for at least 7 days, change the water every day. feed like normal. also check the water to make sure the ph isnt over 7-8. as far as the bump, try to post a better description. could be a thyroid tumor, which can be helped by adding iodine to the water...

ps here is a cool website that may answer some of your questions: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1791&articleid=587

ps i would like to update my answer...the yellow dust sounds more like oodinium (velvet disease) if this is the case, remove the betta from the tank and either crank it up to 92 F for 24-36 hrs, or completely break it down and disinfect everything. the heat is the easiest way to treat the tank cuz it speeds up the lifecycle of the flagellate, and it will die off quickly with no fish in the tank to live off. however, this leaves the betta...velvet is very serious, and if your fish is weakened, i'm sorry to say he may not survive treatment

check out these 2 articles: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1918&articleid=2340

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1992&articleid=2428 ..this talks about marine velvet, but the same goes for freshwater velvet

it recommends treatment with copper sulfate, but be careful, its highly toxic. the bump could be a cyst, or a tumor. either will be difficult to treat.

Answer 5

He might be sick.Do you have a book on bettas?If you do,go to the helth part and look at your betta real closely.Or you can search betta illnesses on a search thingy.I just your betta does not die.

Answer 6

get medicine quick!