i dont know if my betta has ich?

Question

i got my betta today and its head kinda has white spots. im not sure if its ich or what. i heard that aquarium salt helps but if its not ich, would it harm the fish?

and how long can the fish go without being treated?

Answer 1

if its little white spots, its ich.. it can kill fish within days if left untreated.

I highly reccommend jungle brand products.. when I had aquariums I always kept Jungle Ich medicine on hand.

Answer 2

White spots could be either ich or velvet - the difference is in the size. Ich is about the size of grains of salt, and velvet is more powdery - it also turns a gold/rust color when a bright light (like a flashlight) shines on it.

For either, turn up the water temperature (slowly) to about 86o. Use Quick Cure or Rid ick (or any medication containing malachite green and formalin). Salt is good for ich, but isn't as effective for velvet. If this is velvet, you also need to keep your tank lights off during treatment.

Treatment takes about 10-14 days for ich, up to 4 weeks for velvet. Continue treatment for at least 5 days after you no loger see spots on the fish.

Both parasites can kill quickly, so the sooner you start treatment, the better. Since both parasites live part of their life in the water, you'll need to treat the entire tank and any fish in it. If there are tetras, catfish, or any other scaleless fish, start with just 1/4 of the dose and add another 1/4 every hour till you get to the full dose - these fish are more sensitive to medications.


ADDITION: Photo of velvet on a betta for size: http://www.flippersandfins.net/Images/VelvetEarly.jpg

ich on a betta: http://eric.petfish.net/bettaich.jpg

Answer 3

Ick is a parisite and it can be tricky. If he has white spots that look like salt all over him or even just a few spots, It is probably ick. Aquarium salt does help w/ ick. Even if it isn't ick aquarium salt is still good for most fish and will not harm them. Some do not tolerate salt though. Aquarium salt can be really expensive so you can just by regular table salt or sea salt but it has to be NON- IODIZED because iodine will kill fish. I would treat for a full 14 days.

Another way to treat ick is through medication. Meds. such as Quick Cure and Ick Guard work great. I would treat for a full 14 days. Remember that you are treating the water not the fish as you can not kill ick when it is on the fish.

I would also raise the temp. of the tank to around 80 degrees as this will speed up the life cycle of the fish to the free floating stage (when they are not on your fish but in the water) and you will be able to kill them w/ meds. or salt.

I would treat ASAP especially if you see a lot of spots because ick could be in it's later stages.

Some other signs for ick are: Fish is rubbing up against aquarium rocks or decorations. Fish is just laying at the bottom of tank.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I'd take the Betta back and tell them - "Hey you sold me some ich with a Betta around it."