I had asked a betta question a couple of weeks ago and got some detailed information from Magicman (I will include a link to that resolved question in details so that you can refer to it for more details if needed). Basically, my betta has a stringy-looking thing hanging down from under it's head. Actually it's a little farther back from the head, before you get to the fins.
I grabbed some tweezers (sanitized) and managed to pull some of this stringy stuff off (not all, though). I'm not sure about how long it is, but I managed to get about 2/3 off. My questions are:
1. What is it and how do I treat it?
2. How do I get him to stay still so I can try and get the other piece off?
I had come home on my lunch break and saw it, but I did not have enough time to check everything about the tank. The water parameters have been good for the last few weeks since I introduced my last fish (a dwarf gourami). Temperature is 78 degrees. Water changes about every 3-4 days.
2007-05-23 11:36:55 · 3 answers · asked by Becca 5 in Pets ➔ Fish
Link to other question
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkcLtyFgUXPcT3Yo0zDWPQvsy6IX?qid=20070508180756AABOyns
I could not tell the exact color, because it was lumped together on the end of the tweezers, but it looked black or brown when I sent it down the sink.
2007-05-23 11:38:04 · update #1
I'll try and add more details as needed.
2007-05-23 11:42:26 · update #2
I do also have a ten gallon tank that I am using as a quarantine tank. I suppose I could move him over there in order to medicate him or isolate him if needed.
2007-05-23 12:07:05 · update #3
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/becca9985/untitled.jpg
The above link will bring up a drawing of the betta with a circle where the "string" is coming from. On closer inspection, it appears to be white or a light brown (tan). I did feed bloodworms this morning (which he ended up throwing up while I was observing him over the last hour). The thought of poop crossed my mind (I had never seen him poop before). The tank is not being treated with medication because I did just discover this this afternoon. All my other fish seem fine and energetic like always. The string did disappear over the course of the afternoon and it looks like more is coming from that area. Hope this provides more information. Thanks to everyone who can help.
2007-05-23 16:56:31 · update #4
Sorry, just saw your question. What we have so far is a snapshot of the bettas condition today and one from 2 weeks ago. Anything you can fill in from the time between such as medications you may has used etc would be very helpful. Also, if you can get a photo of the fish and the affected area that would be great.
In the following link I have a drawing of a betta. If you can't get a photo of yours, maybe you can download this drawing and indicate exactly where the dark material is on the fish. From any of that I can help piece together what is going on with your betta. I would suggest for now that you not try to remove any more of the material as it could spread something or potentially damage the fish. If you wish, feel free to email me any photos or the result on the drawing and I'll be glad to add links to them to my answer.
MM
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t113/magicman1161/A4sifish.jpg
EDIT: Given the additional details recieved and the picture you sent, I would say you are simply seeing the results of the changes inthe fishes diet and changes in it's poop. There is no indication in what you have given me of a disease problem since the material is from it's anus and is not a worm after all.
2007-05-23 13:38:45 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you seeing this mostly when your fish is at rest? Other than the coloration, this seems to resemble a camallanus infection. This is a parasitic worm that attaches to the intestines of a fish and are generally drawn up inside, but they protrude through the anus when the fish stops swimming. They're more of what I would consider a dark red color. See this photo: http://www.gaem.it/pubblico/articoli/malattiepesci/camallanus/camallanus03.jpg What leads me to think these are the cause is that these often produce a bent spine that resembles fish TB or scoliosis.
I've been through two rounds of this at the university where I worked. I had to do some reading to find a treatment that worked, but the most effective I've found is levamisole HCl. You'll have to look for this at a farm supply store, rather than a pet store. The entire tank will need treated, and two treatments are necessary to cure/prevent infection of the other fish. The medication will lower your pH somewhat during treatment, so be aware of this if you test pH.
If this is what your betta has, it's possible to remove the parasite with treatment, but the spinal curvature will be permanent.
I'll put some additional info on this below.
2007-05-23 20:16:01 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As MM mentioned it could be worms its not the first time I've heard of them coming out of the gill plate, I've never had to treat a small fish for the problem, and really its a little difficult to say how, if you get a proprietary treatment for worms, then crumble a tiny part of the tablet and make a paste and force feed him it might work.
Its obviously a matter of pride now, which is the only reason he's surviving one assumes. However if it is a worm infestation you are in jeopardy of infecting the rest of the fish.
Euthanasia may be your only solution if things don't improve.
AJ
2007-05-23 12:00:48 · answer #3 · answered by andyjh_uk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋