I got my betta fish about a year and 3 months ago. My fish has been very active and colorful except for recently. My fish is usually blueish green but recently the color has turned grayish orange. Along with my fish not swimming as much, it has developed a bit red bump on the top of its upper lip and im not sure where it came from. I believe my fish is sick, does anyone have an idea of what is wrong with him or how i could fix it?
2007-05-29 16:10:17 · 9 answers · asked by Ashley 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
It could just be bad water conditions. Are you sure you are clean his bowl/tank often enough. On the other had I've never heard of a betta going from blue/green to orange. (grey yes, orange no) It's possible he has velvet? If you shine a light on him in a dark room does he have a rust/gold coating? Velvet is treated like ich.
-Anti-Ich med, but be sure it claims to treat velvet too.
-High heat 86F Note that betta can take a lot more heat than most fish. Also note increasing the heat up to 85F will simply speed up the disease. With meds this actually helps as the Oödinium parasite is only effected in free-swimming stage of it's life cycle.
-Salt 1 teaspoon per gallon. Administer slowly no more than 1 teaspoon per 5 gallons per hour. Disolve in a cup of tank water.
http://www.bettafishcenter.com/Velvet.shtml
2007-05-29 17:01:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A red bump on a fish's lip or near its gills typically is indicative of a bacterial infection or ulcer. Because your fish is noticeably experiencing negative changes (lethargic, bad color, etc.), the infection is most likely in advanced stages.
Because we care so much for our pets, no matter the size or specie, I want you to know that there are are limited options for taking care of your fish. You may try to treat the infection by going to your pet store and getting a general antibiotic especially for Anabantids. Betta belong to the Anabantid family, so be sure to ask the pet store clerk for antibiotics for this kind of fish. This should cost you around $8. You will want to raise the water temperature to around 82 degrees and keep the water oxygenated by placing an air tube in the water connected to a air pump. Treatment should last 10 days. If your fish begins to get its color back, and the ulcer/bump has disappeared, then that is a good sign that your fish is recovering.
Chances are, however, that the fish is toward the end of its short life. As unfortunate as it is, it is usually too late when we see visible signs of disease in fish. If after treatment your fish does not recover, it is best to end its life as to not let it go through a long and painful death. Some may disagree with the fact that fish can even feel pain, but I think that all life forms feel some kind of pain and discomfort. Being that is the case, you can euthanize your fish painlessly by putting it to sleep, and then ending its life. I only recommend this if you are not squeemish and do not mind going through this as it can be traumatic. I also only recommend this if you have exhausted every other option to save your fish.
1. Get a medium sized bowl and fill it half way with water. Treat the water with dechorlination drops.
2. Take 10 ice cubes and place in the water.
3. Gently place your fish in the water.
4. Cover and wait 30 minutes.
5. Take your fish out and place it on some aluminum foil. Wrap it and place it in the freezer for a couple of hours.
6. Bury your fish, or dispose of it (personal preference--I bury my deceased fish in my backyard next to the water fountain/pond).
This is the most humane way I know of to end a fish's life. It sounds like its not, but all indications are that the fish dies in its "sleep" due to the ultra-cold water.
Best of luck to you and I hope you are able to cure your fish. If not, my regards for losing your friend.
--GEODE
2007-05-29 16:36:25 · answer #2 · answered by GEODE 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Haven't heard of a fish changing it's colours like that before. Are there any visible injuries on any part of it's body. Bettas are fighter fish so if it ha been in the same container as another betta, there might have been a fight and that might explain the bump on its lips (when they fight, they bite each others lips and hold on to it until one looses). However, im not sure what the situation is like. You might want to ask a professional about it.
2007-05-29 16:29:28 · answer #3 · answered by Dancedeathz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is the bump growing? Maybe the water quality is poor? But if you checked everything and everything seems okay, then I think your fish may have a tumor.
2007-05-29 16:28:43 · answer #4 · answered by shadow_que3n 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ditto sabresquirrel, sounds like velvet to me too. I would only add that it is considered helpful to cover the tank or bowl and keep the lights off when treating velvet
MM
2007-05-29 17:15:09 · answer #5 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My fish Lucas has done that. What are you feeding it? Try another food, like dried red grubs.
2016-05-21 16:17:51 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what is wrong with him, but I would use Melafix. That medicine cures just about everything!
2007-05-29 16:19:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
when did you do your last water change? sound like ammonia level too high
2007-06-02 00:51:53 · answer #8 · answered by cheri h 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would call your pet store if i was you. it could be he has a fungus of some sort and that can be taken care of.
2007-05-29 16:20:39 · answer #9 · answered by Exotic Pink 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋