betta fish question?

Question

i have a betta fish in a small container. i try to change its water every 2 weeks, but it got a small white dot on its face. this has happened before, and i changed its water right after i noticed it and it went away, but it came back. i dont live by a pet store and would have to go far away to get medicine for it, but i heard it was good to put a little bit of salt in the water. should i?

Answer 1

It wouldn't hurt to add some salt - just be sure it's a type without iodine. You can add 1/2 teaspoon per gallon or a tablespoon per 5 gallons.

You say your fish is in a small container, so I don't know if this might be a parasite (ich) or the start of a fungal or bacterial infection. If so, those would have a "fuzzy" appearance. At any rate, fungal infections rarely attack a healthy fish. If yours is in a small container and you're only changing the water every other week, your fish may be very stressed from the quality of the water, then rapid changes to "clean" water. Bettas are best kept in small tanks (mine have either 2.5 gallons or 5 gallons) with a small filter and a heater (they're tropicals, so their temperature should be 76-86oF) In these, I can do 25% changes every week. In something smaller, especially if you don't use a filter, the water should be totally changed every 2-3 days.

You can look up the conditions I've mentioned at the bottom of this page: http://www.fishjunkies.com/health.php#menu or using this chart: http://www.klsnet.com/files/fishchart.htm

Use this link for treatment recommendations: http://www.fish-disease.net/diseases.htm

Answer 2

Salt is only worth while if you have a filter, or you are really just inviting the problem back again. The white dot sounds like Ick, but it isn't likely that it would just go away after a water change. Start by getting your Betta real tank (with a filter and heater). This will prevent the unnecessary stress from crappy water quality (in a tank your size, you should be doing water changes TWICE A WEEK). Email me if you have any questions.

Soop Nazi

Answer 3

I wouldn't put salt in the bowl if i were you. Fish can be really sensitive to things that are added to their water. My advice is: the night before you clean his bowl, leave a bucket full of water out. It's better for them if you do this because it lets more oxygen into the water. Next time you get a fish, to help prevent those white dots, put him in a bag with his water in it, fill the bowl that he is to go in, and put the bag in. Leave it there for about 15 minutes to let the water reach the same temperature. Fish are really sensitive so if you don't do this they might get the white dots from the quick temperature change. Don't put him in a bigger tank either, it's not healthy for them, they prefer a smaller habitat.

Answer 4

I dont think you should. But is totaly up to you. In school my shop is full of fish my classmates and I take care of. I would just either clean the water more often or get a glass tank with a filtration system. It sounds to me that the fish might have this due to bacteria.

GOOD LUCK.

Answer 5

There's medicines for it. Go to bettatalk.com for some recommended meds.
But, really, if it's in a *small* container, you should be changing it every week. Not every two weeks. If it were a bigger tank, with a filter that would be fine. Just fyi. =]

Answer 6

You would need some medication and you can buy some online (petsmart.com is one good place) for just a few dollars. Plus you might want to try some water condidtioner.

Answer 7

NOOO DONT PUT SALT IN THE WATER betta fishes are fresh water fishes

dots

i belive that it has fungus!

Answer 8

Personaly to me it sounds that your fish has what is called ick. The only thing I could tell you is to call Pet smart and get thier opinion. i have had bettas for years know and other fish. To treat your fish make the call to the pet shop.

Answer 9

no