Fighting the formidable foe, Fungus!
I like alliteration. Anyhoo, it would appear as though my betta has some fungus issues. He looks exactly like the picture of the fungusified betta on Betta Talk (scroll down), and I mean exactly. Everything is the same, right down to the location of the yucky spot and the colouration of the fish! Since I'm an uber n00blar, I'm in need of guidance!
Background info: The betta is the sole occupant in a 1.5 gal tank with a java fern. I usually do weekly 50% water changes in his tank. Unfortunately, I don't have any numbers for water quality, since all my tests expired and went in the trash. Heh.
As for the betta himself: apart from a shocking lack of big, fluffy bubble nests, the Grand Funk Master is behaving perfectly normally, so I don't think he's in any immediate distress. I hope I caught this early enough to save him.
What I've done so far: Last night when I noticed the problem, I scooped the betta into a drinking glass, then changed out all of his water a couple of times-- I vaccumed his gravel until there was only an inch of water left, filled the tank with treated water, and repeated. I gave the spongey thing in his filter a real good rinsing in the old water, then reassembled everything and put the betta back. I then gave the tank a dose of Melafix, and left everything alone until today.
When I got home from school, I did a 50% water change, dosed with Melafix again, and added about half a teaspoon of salt. I then went out to the pet store to find some fungus-specific meds. Betta Talk endorses using Jungle brand stuff, but I've heard mixed reviews about their products. Instead, I opted to go with "Liquid Fungus Cure" by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. When I got home, I added eight drops of it to the tank. The water is now yellowy, but the bottle says that's to be expected and is harmless.
So. Now I have questions.
1) Have I done all the right things so far? I shan't add any more salt, but do plan on continuing with daily doses of Melafix; if not for the fungus, then for my betta's fins, which he is constantly shredding somehow. That won't harm anything, will it?
2) How long does it usually take before things start to turn around? This is my first time dealing with a real fishy illness, so I have no idea how long to wait before deciding that Plan A isn't working, and trying a different strategy.
3) None of the packaging that came with the Fungus Cure said anything about repeating the treatments. I'm supposed to do another dose in two days, wait for two more days, and then change his water. That's cool, but what if he's not cured? Can I start the same regimen over with the water change and repeat it until he's all better?
4) I'm hoping that the salt and the meds won't have much of an effect on my java fern-- please tell me it won't. I didn't even think about it until after I'd already added everything to the tank. If need be, the fern can go visiting in the platy tank until the treatments are over, but I'd rather leave it where it is if possible, since Mr. Betta sleeps in it most nights.
Thanks for any help or advice! :bowing:
I like alliteration. Anyhoo, it would appear as though my betta has some fungus issues. He looks exactly like the picture of the fungusified betta on Betta Talk (scroll down), and I mean exactly. Everything is the same, right down to the location of the yucky spot and the colouration of the fish! Since I'm an uber n00blar, I'm in need of guidance!
Background info: The betta is the sole occupant in a 1.5 gal tank with a java fern. I usually do weekly 50% water changes in his tank. Unfortunately, I don't have any numbers for water quality, since all my tests expired and went in the trash. Heh.
As for the betta himself: apart from a shocking lack of big, fluffy bubble nests, the Grand Funk Master is behaving perfectly normally, so I don't think he's in any immediate distress. I hope I caught this early enough to save him.What I've done so far: Last night when I noticed the problem, I scooped the betta into a drinking glass, then changed out all of his water a couple of times-- I vaccumed his gravel until there was only an inch of water left, filled the tank with treated water, and repeated. I gave the spongey thing in his filter a real good rinsing in the old water, then reassembled everything and put the betta back. I then gave the tank a dose of Melafix, and left everything alone until today.
When I got home from school, I did a 50% water change, dosed with Melafix again, and added about half a teaspoon of salt. I then went out to the pet store to find some fungus-specific meds. Betta Talk endorses using Jungle brand stuff, but I've heard mixed reviews about their products. Instead, I opted to go with "Liquid Fungus Cure" by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. When I got home, I added eight drops of it to the tank. The water is now yellowy, but the bottle says that's to be expected and is harmless.
So. Now I have questions.
1) Have I done all the right things so far? I shan't add any more salt, but do plan on continuing with daily doses of Melafix; if not for the fungus, then for my betta's fins, which he is constantly shredding somehow. That won't harm anything, will it?
2) How long does it usually take before things start to turn around? This is my first time dealing with a real fishy illness, so I have no idea how long to wait before deciding that Plan A isn't working, and trying a different strategy.
3) None of the packaging that came with the Fungus Cure said anything about repeating the treatments. I'm supposed to do another dose in two days, wait for two more days, and then change his water. That's cool, but what if he's not cured? Can I start the same regimen over with the water change and repeat it until he's all better?
4) I'm hoping that the salt and the meds won't have much of an effect on my java fern-- please tell me it won't. I didn't even think about it until after I'd already added everything to the tank.
If need be, the fern can go visiting in the platy tank until the treatments are over, but I'd rather leave it where it is if possible, since Mr. Betta sleeps in it most nights.Thanks for any help or advice! :bowing:
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