My betta, has been healthy for a month, then he started acting funny. He still eats immediantly after I put the food in, but after hes done he just sits on the gravel almost looking as if he was ready to kick the bucket. Not only that but I've noticed sugary like white spots only on his side fins. is it early signs of ich? or Velvet? whats the cure?
2007-12-18 14:37:13 · 3 answers · asked by Vickytoria 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
It could be either one. Both appear as white spots, the difference is in the size. Compare these pictures:
ich: http://eric.petfish.net/bettaich.jpg
velvet: http://www.flippersandfins.net/Images/VelvetEarly.jpg
Velvet also appears gold/rust colored if you shine a bright light (like a flashlight) on it.
You can treat either by raising the temperature (slowly) to about 86o and adding medication containing both formalin and malachite green (Quick Cure, Rid Ich are two brand names) according to the directions. Do a water change and vacuum to remove any parasites in the gravel, and be sure to remove carbon from your filter. If velvet, you should also turn off tank lights during treatment (this parasite can use photosynthesis to survive).
Ich can be cured in 10-14 days, but it can take up to 4 weeks to eliminate velvet. Don't stop treatment until at least 5 days after you no longer see spots on the fish or you risk reinfection.
2007-12-18 15:45:16 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, that would be ich. Keep his water very, very clean and at about 85 degrees to speed up the ich life cycle, and either treat him with salt or an anti-parasite medication.
2007-12-18 15:02:10 · answer #2 · answered by Chaos! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may very well be. Jungle Parasite Clear, a commonly available and inexpensive medication, is a good way to treat internal and external parasites.
2007-12-18 14:45:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋