Betta with fungus, what can I do?

W

Wobbly

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Sep 3, 2005
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Wales
I looked into my betta's tank this morning to find him lying under some plants, I was immediately worried as he usually swims to the front of the tank as soon as I enter the room.

I thought that he was dead so I gave him a gentle prod with the net and to my relief he started swimming. But then I noticed that his sides were covered with whitish trailing fluffy stuff which I am assuming is fungus.

I was quite surprised at how fast this has come on as he was fine last night, perky and trying to eat my fingers when I fed him as usual.

He shares a 3 and a half gallon with a peppered cory, I checked the water this morning and ammonia 0, NitrItes 0, nitrates really low. (did a water change 4 days ago) The only thing I can think of to cause this is that the tank has been a bit cold the past few days, hovering about 20 degrees. I've ordered a 25 watt heater which was supposed to turn up on thursday but has beed delayed a week.

I've added wilko white spot control which contains malachite green, quinnine sulphate and acraflavine (I know it's not the right medication but I can't buy the right sort today and I figured it probably can't do much harm) and a bit of salt as a tonic. I've also moved the tank close to a radiator to try and warm it up a bit (watching the thermometer like a hawk).

Is there anything else I can do for the poor little thing? He looks so ill.

Edit: uh-oh... I was reading up on fungus and I've looked at a load of photos and I'm pretty certain he's got columnaris rather than fungus. This is not looking good... :sad:
 
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Well, I went to look at him this morning and he's definately a goner.
The columnaris has spread loads overnight and he's bleeding from the worst areas.
He's just lying on his side not even responding to being poked with a spoon. Just breathing slightly, so I'm going to euthanise him using the "icy cold water" method. :(
 
lucky you didn't put any salt in the water, the cory most likely would have died. I am guessing that the tempreture was the problem, but i would have thought that it wouldn't be low enough. obviously something has weekened him and the disease has attacked. sory to hear, good luck on keeping the disease under control.
 
I did put salt in the water, but I moved the cory to my other tank first.

I'm wishing I hadn't now as I moved him when I thought it was fungus. I hope none of my other fish get columnaris... they all look okay at the moment.

At least I can sterilise the empty tank and use it as a hospital tank in case of any further outbreaks.
 
20 degrees celcius (68F) isn't just "a bit cold" for a betta, it's WAY too cold! No wonder he got sick and died.

Betta fish need their temperature between 79 and 82 degrees, anything lower and you risk having a sick and/or dead betta.

Roan
 
I thought as much.

Like I said, I'd ordered a heater from my local pet shop but the company they order from were out of stock. It should be arriving this thursday... :(
 
lucky you didn't put any salt in the water, the cory most likely would have died. .
Click to expand...

The cory would have tolerated some salt temporarily just fine, FYI :)
 
I'm sorry I sounded so harsh. It's just that goldfish and bettas are the most misunderstood fish in the entire hobby.

Some times even those who do everything by the book end up with a sick fish. I wasn't thinking how parasites can attach to pretty much anything and, if the timing is right, stuff like ich can be transferred via net, water (if it's free floating), gravel vac, plants, you name it.

So my betta, Jakers, has ich. He's very badly infected. Sigh.

Roan
 
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