View Full Version : Dying Female Betta
powellmacaque
09-05-2005, 9:21 PM
I have a female betta who somehow got her scales torn off (I think it was from the other female that she used to reside with). I took her out of the tank, and she was not getting picked on anymore, but it seems that her scales are deteriorating away, and i can see her flesh. What is happening? Can I help the situation?
about all you can do is keep her in good clean water. If they're just injuries from fighting she should heal up well as long as you keep the water good and clean.
Roland
09-06-2005, 6:13 AM
Im just wondering... are her all her scales protruding/jagged? If so this is dropsy (taking on water). I cant think of the salt treatment for this offhand, but it'll be somewhere on the net. If it is dropsy, what to be aware of is that the fish is losing its own salt to its environment (fatal, eventually), and requires salt in the water to stabilize osmoregulation.
Thinking about it, even if its not dropsy, if the fish has open wounds it will still be losing salt anyway, so I suggest a permanent salt bath (untill the fish recovers). Check the net/journals/books for the correct dosage.
powellmacaque
09-06-2005, 5:17 PM
I'm pretty sure they are fighting wounds. The scales are not poking out, it is like somebody "peeled" her like an orange.
Aww...poor little girl....hope she comes through ok :(
Betta-Luvn
09-06-2005, 7:11 PM
Yeh good luck:)
melafix at 1/2 dose.or betafix. very safe treatment that has worked for me in the past to help speed the healing of wounds.
you can google it if you want and readthe fact sheet on it somewhere. it is sold at most lfs.
TheMightyQueenPixie
09-06-2005, 8:21 PM
I concur...Good old Melafix...Your female is probably bearing the brunt of the injury through her depreciated immune system then her actual physical injuries...Constant bullying will do that...Personally, I always jar all of my Bettas, male and female alike at about 3 weeks of age....Great finnage, no stress and a sell-able spawn...