algae growing on my fish

[jacblades]

a few days ago, i started a post about the different types of algae inhabiting my tanks. i had stated that one of my betta tanks (1 gal) had green algae in it. well now, not only does the tank have algae, but the fish does as well. i just noticed today that she has green algae growing on the tips of all of her fins. i cleaned out her tank yesterday and didnt see it. surely it couldnt have appeared overnight? well anyways-should i just treat the water with an algae removing product?
heres a picture-sorry its not that great but you can see the tips of green on her fins.

 

[topwater202]

well..i would think about the size of the tank being so small..and little or no movement of the water and maybe too much lighting// good luck

 

[Rockin_Sunset]

I think the algae remover would be best. I would have to also agree with topwater202.

They say bettas are easy to maintain but they are not.
How often do you do a water change? what percent?

 

[jacblades]

Originally posted by Rockin_Sunset

They say bettas are easy to maintain but they are not.
How often do you do a water change? what percent?

i breed and keep many bettas and have for years. i know what im doing. thanks.

 

[Rockin_Sunset]

Oh I am sorry about what I said. It is just that I thought you were new to the betta thing. Forgive me.

 

[dwayne]

jac... Rockinsunset was just trying to help... Anyways, is the tank in direct sunlight all day? That could definately be causing it. Although, if it appeared overnight, then the sunlight wouldn't be the cause. What about temperature, maybe a little bit higher than normal? I'd say you're good to go w/ the algae remover (I didn't know they made chemical algae removal stuff, I thought you had to get a critter to do it! ). And maybe a few more water changes over the next couple of days. If she still has it on her fins and stuff after a couple of days, maybe do a dip in some MelaFix? I love that stuff, cures everything!!

Good luck!
~Tara

 

[TKOS]

I would worry most about the condition of the water. Algae doesn't just appear. There generally has to be lots of nutrients. Sunlight is only one part of the algae equation. Food is the most important. And that probably means high nitrate levels.

You said you knew what you are doing but exactly how often do you change the water and what are the nitrate levels in your tank.

Is this a bare tank? Are there decorations or gravel or plants at all?

Algae chems don't really work. They will clear the water up pretty fast but they don't address the cuase of the problem. I found that out after buying some myself. So the algae will just keep coming back.

The algae itself won't hurt your fish, but the cuase of it might. So I suggest testing for nitrates or ammonia, reducing light (esp at this time of year) to no more that 6 or 7 hours a day (assuming no live plants) and doing more frequent water changes.

Duckweed is a perfect plant filter for small betta tanks. It soaks up nitrates really fast and grows quick. You just have to clean it off the top of the water every so often.

 

[jacblades]

well why is there green algae in only one of my betta tanks? i change the water all at the same time (once a week) and basically feed them same amount to all of my fish. i rotate them so no particular two tanks stay at the top in direct sunlight. bare tanks. i lost my nitrite color chart and i have sent a request for another one. havent heard anyhting
actually-one of my other tanks is starting to get some green algae too. both of those fish i have had for less than a month and they came from the same breeder. is that just a coincidence? it was a thai breeder and i know a lot of them raise their bettas with indian almond leaves in the water. could it be something about the bettas? (i know it sounds a bit stupid but there IS a coincidence)
dwayne-i donthtink melafix does anyhting for algae. i have put it in another tank with algae in it and the algae was not affected at all. im not sure if appeared overnight-i just might not have noticed it because i had to look really cloesly to find it.

see how the two top tanks on the right have it? (the other one on the left looks like green but is acually brown)
why?
i really like the look of green algae-just not on my fish...

 

[Egyptdragon]

clarifying...

Jac, I think dwayne was suggesting the melafix as protection for your betta, not as an algae remover.

Those "tanks" look like regular rubbermaid (or equivalent) containers, would it not be possible to set up some new ones, put your algae bettas in those, and do a thorough cleaning of the infested ones?

 

[dwayne]

jac ~ I suggested the melafix for both the algae, but also as a stress preventor somewhat... the box says "use when introducing new fish to the aquarium...

egyptdragon had a good point though. Since your bettas are accustomed to living in a rubbermaid bucket, surely you must have a couple of extras (even smaller ones) that you can put the fish in while doing a thorough hot water (and possibly some oxyclean) washing?

edit -- that's a pretty cool set up you have for your bettas! Must be a pain in the butt to change the water though...

~Tara