SICK BETTA HELP!!!

[goldenpuon]

Note: Sorry I did not post this in the fish illness section. I could not get it to post with the HTML and sidebars for age of tank, tank size, etc..

I have a 3 year old betta that has gotten sick as of late. She is my only remaining betta (all of her siblings died over time).

She is a large previously very healthy female.

A couple weeks ago, I noticed she had a white area showing up on her eyes. I talked to Carl and he said it could be cataracts. I take it that is what she has. It has not spread.

I am not sure if the cataracts are related but when I did her water change Saturday, I noticed a white, noncottony area on her side. It seemed to be going under her skin as if it was an infected wound. Yet, she has not been injured to my knowledge.

On Saturday when I noticed this, I treated her with a Melafix and Pimafix combo.

On Sunday I noticed a lump on her nose.

(Some of the other bettas I have had have gotten this. Typically the lump grows and gets infected by fungus or bacteria if left untreated).

Today, I noticed she had more white areas (not large patches but small areas) on her body and at least 3 white spots that resemble ich.

She is still acting/eating fairly normally. The betta is resting a little more. She is also less enthusiastic about her pellet food as of late but still eating everything I give her. However, she still begs and greets me when I come near her.

I have given her 2 doses of the Melafix/Pimafix combo yet she is getting worse by the day. Should I keep treating her with this or switch to something else?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

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I really don't want to lose her and she is getting worse rapidly.Tank Size: 1.5 gallons
Age of the tank: 4 months (50% water changes weekly):
pH:
Ammonia:
NitrAtes:
nitrites:
GH/KH:
Temperature: 83 F:
Fish:

Symptoms:

Symptoms: White area on eyes (possibly unrelated), white noncottony stuff on botdy, swollen nose, white spots:

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[sammiesam]

Columnaris?

I would wait for a post from carl or bill, but that would be my guess.

But as far as I know, melafix and pimafix don't really...cure, just assist in boosting immune response and helping the fish being able to fight off whatever is wrong, so I am sure they will come up with a more aggressive treatment for your betta.

Good luck, I hope she gets better, I hate it when my fishes get sick, ESPECIALLY my bettas

[Carl]

I will first point out that the age of your Bettas is not in her favor, I do not say this to seem cold, only to not place too high of expectations.

So far what you have done is a good start and also tells me that age is a major factor (Cataracts often appears with age too)

The next suggestion is one that I know is difficult for you, but I really feel this is a good/safe next step considering the age and good care you already provide her and that is a medicated bath with salt (gradually increased during the bath), Methylene Blue, and Nitrofuazone (Furan 2) or Tetracycline

I am not sure much more in tank treatment will help much, but a Kanamycin/Furan 2 combination might be considered, or for a very potent treatment add ParaGuard to this cocktail as well.

(see Medications 2; Aquatronics Substitutes)

Carl

[goldenpuon]

It doesn't seem like Columnaris because it is not puffy in appearance but I could be wrong. I noticed the area on her nose has a whitish, almost clear overlay on one side (hard to explain.) It guess it could be Columnaris. I will look at Carl's Columnaris article. I just pray my fish can get the help/meds she needs in time.

[Carl]

BTW, I agree with Sam that this might be Columnaris, I am just concerned that since Columnaris is an opportunistic disease and since you take good care of your fish that age is the causative opportunity

Carl

[goldenpuon]

Sorry. I was writing when you posted. So you say Kanaamycin and Furan 2 (possibly with Paraguard) in the tank or in a bath?

I am about to look at yoru columnaris article.

Thanks for the help.

[goldenpuon]

Perhaps or poor genetics. I glanced at your article and I agree it is likely Colunmaris.

[sammiesam]

I'll tell you i've had GREAT results with kanaplex. which is kanamycin.
That might be a good choice, it's a bit more expensive, but literally when nothing seems to work for me, that one always seems to help.

[goldenpuon]

So you say Kanaamycin and Furan 2 (possibly with Paraguard) would work as an in tank treatment? (don't want to get confused and overdose my fish)

EDIT: I did a 50% water change to get the Melafix and Pimafix out. I am pretty sure you meant an in-tank treatment by the mix of Kanamycin, Furan 2, and Paraguard Carl. Though I am not positive which is why I asked.

Back to the water change, I added Kanamycin and Furan 2. I am waiting on the Paraguard just in case I misunderstood about the in-tank treatment. The betta can't afford to wait any longer which is why I added the other two medications in the mean time.

Thank you very much for the help Carl and Sammiesam! Let's cross our fingers that she makes a full recovery.

[Carl]

Yes, ParaGuard. This makes for a very strong cocktail that I do not generally recommend (I note this in Aquarium Medications; Page 2), but is a good "last resort" type treatment.

Carl

[Suzie Q (Lori)]

Colunmaris was my first thought also...Glad Sam and Carl were here and I hope she makes a full recovery!!!

[goldenpuon]

It seems like Colunmaris is what she has because this morning (12 hours after treatment) the spots and white areas were less noticeable on her. This evening she is also looking great and just got her second treatment. I'm not sure about her nose area but it might be better as well. The lump is still there but the white on it (probably the Columnaris) seems to be receding.

She is also eating fine and begging. She's a hardy fish (one that killed another female betta and beat up a few of the males I tried to breed her with when she was young I might add.) Looks like she is on the road to recovery. I won't say she is out of the woods yet but things are looking promising.

[Suzie Q (Lori)]

Glad to hear!!!

[sammiesam]

that's good, I wish i could be that optimistic for my goldie.

[goldenpuon]

Thanks although she is not doing quite as well as I thought. I still see one white area on her. Also, I'm a bit worried the lump on her nose will travel to and infect her eye.

This happened with one of my betta's that got a lump on his nose. His eye protruded and he looked like an alien. He was unrelated to her but his ailment was similar (aside from that he didn't have white on him). He recovered with treatment and he seemed to be able to see out of that eye ok again. However, he died of unknown causes a short time later.

To the point, I really won't know the outcome with this girl until she is totally cured.

[bikeguy33]

Sorry took so long to reply....columnaris is a great potential call. are there any improvements with treatment?

[Carl]

Are you giving baths?

If this is Columnaris (which is the most likely pathogen based on symptoms and fish age IMO and others here), baths with salt, especially slowly increasing salt during the 20-30 minutes of bath time is often quite effective as per not only my own use/tests, but as per many studies conducted in conjunction with fish farms (which Bill/bikeguy likely could vouch for too).

Good Luck and try and stay optimistic, but also realize her age is the main "opportunity" for this opportunistic disease.

Carl

[goldenpuon]

She is improved but not much. The lump is still on here nose and I saw 2 small white areas on her. The white areas are very small, not huge patches . Her cataracts (tiny bit of white on her eye) is still there from a few weeks ago. Today I gave her her third treatment with Kanamycin and Furan 2. I don't think it is helping all that much.

Speaking of the Kamamycin. It says to only treat for 3 days yet the Furan 2 it says to treat for 4 days. Should I discontinue with the Kamamycin for now since I just gave her her 3rd dose?

I apologize but I haven't had time for baths. Between school work, cleaning up the house for someone coming over today, doctor appointments, etc. I am already in over my head. I also admit I really don't feel like it is a good idea for me to give her a bath. She is only an inch and my hands shake (out of anxiety) when I do baths. My chances of injuring her in a bath are just too high. I have done so to other bettas in the past giving them baths. Plus the spills.

[Carl]

The treatments will do little to nothing for the cataracts.

I would cease treatment of the Kanmaycin as per the directions.

I understand about the baths, but please understand that this is a major part of treatment for Columnaris, however as I noted earlier, this fish is old and this is not in her favor, so even the baths may not help much.

Carl

[bikeguy33]

carl is right. although i never dealt with a columnaris epidemic....i did deal with a few similar conditions. a slow gradual increase in salt can go along way. on fish farms...at least in Canada....the only med allowed is salt, so you really and quickly get a good idea the power of salt and temperature when those are your only options....