Betta fish occasionally get sick; it is a reality of life. By maintaining a clean tank and providing a healthy diet for your bettas, you can stop the majority of betta diseases in their tracks. However, there may come a time when your fish simply do not behave to be themselves, and you begin to worry that your betta is ill. You might realize that the Betta fish might have become ill as an owner within its lifespan of 2-3 years, with a few living longer.
A prompt diagnosis and course of action will reduce any potential harm and get your colorful companion back to swimming happily. Maintaining your betta fish’s happiness and health by giving them the right betta fish care is the best method to prevent them from being ill. Being proactive is always preferable to being reactive.
Your betta fish does not want to be cold or reside in a dirty little home, just like you wouldn’t! You would eventually fall ill from that as well. If so, the following comprehensive reference on Betta fish diseases and ailments from A-Z will assist you in determining what exactly is wrong with your fish and the procedures you need to take to ensure a full recovery.
This article discusses all of the main ailments and diseases that affect betta fish, along with how to prevent them, identify them, and treat or cure them. Read on to find out how to maintain the health of your aquatic companion if decide on keeping betta fishes as pets at home.
The Fundamentals of Betta Fish Care
The most popular subspecies of Siamese fighting fish kept in aquariums at home is Betta splendens. These fish are prized for their brilliant hues and, in the case of the species’ males, their exquisite fins. Bettas are intentionally bred to have a variety of colors, patterns, and tail styles. The majority of betta only reach a body length of approximately 2 12 inches, despite having fairly huge fins. These fish may live in captivity for around three years with the right care. Since bettas are native to Asia, their preferred water temperature range is 72°F to 82°F.
How to Recognize and Cure Common Betta Fish Illnesses
The world of fish keeping is full of colorful adventures, but caring for Betta fish can be particularly difficult. Caring for a Betta fish might be challenging because it cannot express its requirements as other pets can. Several prevalent illnesses affect Betta fish. Learn how to spot them and what has to be performed to treat them.
Timing is Crucial
There are numerous ailments that can affect Betta fish, and while to the uneducated eye, they may appear to be similar, you can typically tell them apart if you know what to look for. One of the most important things you can do to keep your fish healthy is to educate yourself about the condition of your Betta.
Timing is another element that is as important. It is crucial to recognize things to look for in your Betta fish when they seem unwell, but it is also crucial to have the right treatments on hand so you can cure your Betta as quickly as possible. Many of the main diseases that affect Betta fish spread quickly. Therefore, it is crucial to have the right medication on hand as soon as you realize your fish needs medical attention in order to prevent the disease’s spread. Treatment of any Betta fish ailment depends largely on timing.
How to Tell if Your Betta Fish is Sick
Many of the symptoms and indicators listed below are telltale signs that your fish is sick, even though some of them may not always indicate that your fish is very ill or has caught a disease. Although each individual ailment will have its own set of indicators and symptoms, these symptoms are common and encompass the majority of illnesses that affect Betta fish.
- deformed or damaged fins (Cavities or rips in a Betta fish’s fins frequently signify illness)
- Color alteration (the typical color of sick Bettas may be dimmed)
- Food boredom that lasts for several days
- less energetic than usual or inactive
- tendency to remain at the tank’s bottom or, alternately, to beg for oxygen at the summit of the tank
- Your Betta now has spots near his mouth and head.
- Fins scraping on the tank’s side continuously
- Growth of Betta fish
- bigger eyes
- a yellow-toned pus
- Having trouble swimming
Make Your Own First Aid Kit for Betta Fish
Like most pet owners, you are probably already bonded with your Bettas and eager to assume responsibility for it just as you would for any other pet, so keep a first aid kit on hand for your fish at all times. Making a first aid box specifically for a Betta may seem silly, but most pet stores do not carry the medications that are frequently needed to treat infections in Betta fish.
We have already talked about the significance of timing, so if your Betta fish becomes unwell, it may be too late to treat it before it perishes since mail-order medications may take a long time to deliver. You must generally possess a basic emergency treatment box on hand to treat the most prevalent ailments that affect Betta fish as a responsible fish keeper.
What ought to be in a first aid kit for bettas?
Many Betta fish specialists currently supply pre-made Betta first aid kits that are available online to make things easier, but, if you decide to assemble your own first aid kit, you should consider including the following items:
Bettafix or BettaZing
The anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, and anti-protozoan drugs BettaZing and BettaFix are excellent when taken as a prophylactic therapy to stop the growth of clamping fins or velvet fins. Every time you introduce a Betta to new surroundings or whenever you add a new Siamese fish to your tank, this prescription should be used as a preventative step.
Kanamycin
Kanamycin, an antibiotic that is frequently used for more severe infectious diseases that your Bettas may get, is typically available in the best fish shops.
Tetracycline
Numerous pet retailers carry tetracyclin, which is also prescribed by doctors to treat infections caused by bacteria. Tetracycline is used more frequently for less severe bacterial infections, while Kanamycin is more frequently used to cure more serious bacterial infections.
Ampicillin
Another antibiotic that is accessible both online and at specialist fish shops that are worth having in your first aid kit for Betta fish is ampicillin. Gram-positive infections, certain gram-negative infections, and pop-eye are treated with ampicillin.
One and two Maracins
Both Marcin 1 and Marcin 2 are hard tablet-based antifungal and antibacterial medications. These drugs are used to treat moderate infections in your Betta fish, such as fin rot, although they are not as successful against more severe illnesses compared to some alongside the other drugs listed.
The Common Betta Fish Diseases
Swim Bladder Illness
Swimming bladder syndrome is a prevalent condition that affects bettas and, if neglected, frequently progresses to dropsy.
Even though it is known as swim bladder illness, it is more of a condition. Swim bladder disease seems to be the term used to refer to all of the conditions that can impact your betta’s swim bladder as well as the manner in which they swim.
How Does The Swim Bladder Work?
Your betta’s ability to regulate buoyancy is due to an organ called the swim bladder. Your betta would not be able to remain stationary without the swim bladder; instead, they do not have to. The fact that the swim bladder is situated between the other organs is one of the factors contributing to its prevalence. Because of this, it frequently implies that if anything negatively impacts one of them, it will likely also negatively impact the swim bladder.
Swim Bladder Disease Symptoms
Swim bladder illness has a variety of symptoms, making diagnosis simple in many cases. But keep in mind that some of these symptoms might also be brought on by other ailments and diseases. These are the swim bladder disease’s most typical signs and symptoms:
A Problem in Swimming or Buoyancy
This is a surefire indicator that your betta has swim bladder illness. Your betta could seem to continually swim up or down, fight to climb off the substrate, or remain on top of the aquarium, among other things. Additionally, they may swim unevenly.
Bent Back/Distended Belly
The second thing you could see is that your betta starts to develop a curved back or a distended belly. This often indicates that your fish has already been overfed if you also observe that it is having problems swimming.
No Appetite/Lethargic
Swim bladder illness will make your betta’s life tougher, which frequently impacts their appetites, making them far more lethargic.
Clamped Fins
If your betta exhibits clamped fins and any of the other symptoms listed below, it is likely that they have an infection.
How Is Swim Bladder Disease Treated?
Epsom salt is one of the best treatments for swim bladder illness in betta fish. Epsom salt is often a sedative. Thus, it frequently aids in calming your betta. Here is how to use Epsom salt to take care of them.
- In a separate container, combine a spoonful of Epsom salt mixed into half a gallon of the tap water from your tank. Make sure you completely dissolve it when you have finished doing this.
- Now fill the container with a further half gallon of water. Use conditioned tap water if your tank does not hold enough water. (An essay describing why you should maintain your betta in an aquarium of least 3 – 4 gallons in size is available here as well.)
- Once you have done that, fill up your betta’s tank with fresh water, making sure that the new water is the same temperature as the old.
- For the next 10 to 15 minutes, add your siamese fighting fish to that same Epsom salt bath. But make sure you are watching them closely! Take him out of the bath as soon as you observe any indications that he may be suffering, for example, a lack of motion.
- Continue keeping an eye on the betta to see whether anything changes. If not, you will have to attempt another approach.
Fin Rot
As the name implies, betta fish with this condition have problems with their fins and tails. It may be brought on by fungus or bacteria. Due to decay, the fins and tail appear to melt away or change color. By keeping the fish’s habitat or aquarium clean, it can be avoided. Antibiotic-containing drugs, such as trimethoprim, erythromycin, and sulfadimidine, can be used to treat fin and tail rot.
The fatality rate is moderate with proper treatment. I would advise you to get this treatment if your aquarium has fin and tail rot illness or any associated ailments. I have taken it for almost five years now without experiencing any setbacks.
Fin Rot Symptoms
Depending on how severe it is and how it is treated, fin rot manifests itself differently in different ways. Observe the following:
Mild Fin Rot
You will observe the following signs if your betta has minor fin rot:
- Just somewhat darker in color than the fins.
- It is possible that the tips are becoming brown, grey, or white.
- Additionally, the edges may be just starting to look worn and torn.
- The tips might also appear inflamed, red, or painful.
- The rot will not seem to be in different places near your betta’s body, which is the most critical factor.
Severe Fin rot
If the fin rot is not treated, it progresses from minor to significant, and the symptoms definitely worsen. You will notice the following signs of severe fin rot in your betta:
- The fins have dangerously retreated toward the body.
- Rather than seeing a gradual transformation, you can occasionally witness entire clusters of fins disappearing all at once.
- The fins may very well be dead to 1.5 cm.
- At this stage, the fin’s discoloration will be quite black. You will be capable of recognizing right away that the fins are beginning to disappear.
- White fuzz may also start to cover the fins.
- Additionally, they frequently have red markings on them.
What is the remedy for fin rot?
There are a variety of ways you might need to cure your betta if it has fin rot. If the condition is not serious, placing the animal in a quarantine tank using API Stress Coat may usually aid in its quick recovery. Additionally, you might consider putting aquarium salt in the mix to aid in their recovery.
Before eventually needing to use harsher medicine like API Pimafix or API Furan 2, depending on how serious the fin rot is, you may also need to do far more significant water changes to lower the likelihood of more bacterial or fungus infection. API FIN & BODY CURE Freshwater Fish Powder Medication can be good medicine.
Can Bettas Die From Fin Rot?
If fin rot is not treated, it is most likely to prove deadly to bettas. Having said that, if you recognize the problem and take action quickly enough, your betta is likely to make a complete recovery.
Constipation
Betta fish are very gutty. Therefore, constipation is a very common problem for them. The main exception is that although constipation is an annoyance to humans, it may be fatal to bettas if addressed.
Your betta may be experiencing constipation if they are having trouble passing feces. Usually, because it has been hardened within them, make sure you are giving your betta the proper stuff because this is primarily caused by overfeeding or a bad diet.
What Are Constipation’s Signs And Symptoms?
There are several indicators you should watch out for if you suspect your betta is constipated. Here are some of the most typical:
- Swollen Belly: Similar to dropsy and constipation, your betta may end up developing a bloated belly if they are constipated. This occurs because they are unable to pass feces adequately, which causes their bellies to grow and enlarge.
- Stringy Feces: Stringy feces are another sign of constipation that is frequently present. The only issue is that if you are not watching your betta closely, it could be difficult to detect. (Constipation, though, is frequently indicated if you see excrement hanging from your siamese fish as it swims around. The feces should immediately sink towards the substrate in a healthy betta.)
- Spitting out or not eating the food: While this alone is not a clue that your betta is constipated, it is a strong signal when combined with the other symptoms.
How Are Betta Constipations Handled?
There are several techniques to manage constipation. Fast your betta to check whether it passes naturally as your first step. Try giving them a pea and daphnia, which are both high in fiber, if that does not work. You may also attempt to use Epsom salt if the condition is more severe.
Is a Betta’s constipation fatal?
Constipation may surely lead to your betta’s death if it is not handled. Dropsy, which can result from swim bladder illness in your betta, is significantly more likely to occur when you are constipated.
Constipation will stress out your betta in addition to the increased risk of swim bladder illness and dropsy. Your betta’s immune system will weaken while they are under stress, making it far more probable that it may contract other ailments.
Ich
Ich, sometimes referred to as white spot, is a parasite disease that results in white dots, rings, scars, or blotches on the betta’s abdomen, fins, tail, gill, and other regions of the skin. It can be avoided by routinely conditioning and replacing the water and by maximizing variables, including ammonium, pH, nitrogen compounds, and dissolved solids.
What Are Ich’s Symptoms?
You should be on the lookout for one specific sign if you suspect that your betta has ich. And every single one of them will corroborate your suspicions.
White Spots
White Spots These white spots can appear anywhere on the fish’s body occasionally, but they can also appear on its fins and tail.
Rub Against Object
When your betta has ich, similar to other parasites, it will start to rub against objects in the aquarium in an effort to get rid of it. There is a good possibility they have some kind of parasite if you notice them rubbing but there are no other signs.
Difficulty Breathing
You will observe that as the ich worsens, their breathing also becomes increasingly labored. Ich will be much more difficult to cure at this point, but if unchecked, it might lead to respiratory failure.
How Can Ich Be Handled?
There are a number of options you might think about when treating ich. Your betta should be taken out of the tank and put in a containment tank first. Your primary tank will be completely free of any ich since it will not have a host to feed on as a result.
Second, to assist in eradicating the virus, you can however try increasing the tank’s temperature and adding salt.
Medicine for Ich
API Aquarium Salt
API SUPER ICK CURE Fish remedy
Dropsy
Dropsy is a fatal sickness with a very high mortality rate. Nevertheless, if your fish is carefully cared for, there is a low likelihood—though not zero—that they may get dropsy.
Even though a lot of people believe it, dropsy is not a disease. In actuality, dropsy is a collection of symptoms brought on by ill health and neglect. The likelihood of your betta developing dropsy is quite remote, but it is never impossible, provided you take good care of them.
What Are Dropsy’s Signs And Symptoms?
Dropsy has a multitude of symptoms, but there are a few significant ones that are a definite warning indication.
Scales of Pinecones
The most obvious sign that your betta has dropsy is pinecone scales. In fact, you should start treating your betta for dropsy right away if you see that they have pinecone scales. (If you do not know exactly what pinecone scales are, they occur when the betta’s body enlarges to the point that the scales protrude, giving the betta an appearance like a pinecone.)
Swollen or Distended Stomach
Another very clear sign that your betta has dropsy is when they have pinecone scales as well as you notice their tummy is enlarged.
Their spine may curve.
When a betta suffers dropsy, their internal organs start to enlarge, which can cause its spine to bend as well. Once the organs start to enlarge, pressure from the organs may cause the spine to bend.
Lethargy
Additionally, you might have noticed that your little fish has lost all energy. They will not want to swim about it since they will be too unwell to do so. He could simply hide in one spot on the tank for the majority of the time.
How Can Dropsy Be Treated?
Transferring your betta to a quarantined aquarium will make it much easier for you to maintain clean water if it is dropsy.
Does Dropsy Kill Bettas?
The chances of your betta recovering if it has dropsy are really minimal, which is unfortunate. By the time dropsy signs become apparent, your betta’s organs are typically already too damaged.
Velvet
Betta fish with velvet infection have rusty skin and scaly heads, along with the gills and abdomen, and may also have black scars or blotches all over their skin, which dulls their color. Raising water quality and ensuring that living conditions are stress-free can prevent parasite sickness. Some of the best materials to enhance living conditions are water conditioners.
What Are Velvet’s Signs and Symptoms?
When your betta has velvet, he or she may display a variety of different symptoms. However, there is unquestionably one big one you need to watch out for.
Like Gold Dust Coating
The most obvious symptom of velvet in your betta is a golden sheen all over their bodies. This is really your betta’s body’s attempt to remove the parasite, not the parasite itself.
Rubbing
Additionally, you might see that your Siamese fish is rubbing against objects. In fact, you might detect this symptom before you discover that your betta’s body has a rusty yellow appearance. Your betta may start massaging their scales in an attempt to get rid of the parasite when they sense it there.
Eye problem
Your betta could start to have eye issues if the velvet spreads before you can treat it. This includes drooping or even protruding eyes.
How is velvet treated?
Although velvet appears to be a dreadful disease, it is actually quite simple to treat especially if you catch it in time! Make careful to raise the tank’s temperature, turn down together all the lights, and add aquarium salt gradually if you intend to medicate a betta with velvet.
Popeye
One or both of a betta fish’s eyes may swell outward due to this condition. Although it may be shocking to see these signs, they are treatable. Exposure to bad water over an extended period of time is the most frequent cause of popeye.
You should not ever encounter it if you keep an eye on the water quality in your betta’s tank and avoid giving the betta fish live food. Popeye can be treated without causing long-term harm or vision loss, but it can also be an indication of tuberculosis. A more dangerous and always fatal disease is tuberculosis.
What Are Popeye’s Symptoms?
There is one significant symptom of popeye, as you are already aware, although it is not just one. It is crucial to look for as numerous abnormalities as you can to ensure that you are appropriately identifying your betta. These signs and symptoms are what you can anticipate:
eyes widening
When your betta’s eyeballs protrude, that is the most obvious indicator that they have popeye. This symptom by itself practically ensures that your betta has popeye.
Their Eye Color Alters
When their eyes enlarge excessively, the cornea may rupture, making the eyes blurry or even stained with blood. Bloodstains are typically a sign indicating your betta has been the victim of physical abuse in some manner.
The Eyes Have A White Ring
The white ring around your betta’s eyes can occasionally be seen before it swells up. It is possible to start treating popeye if you catch this early indication of the condition before it worsens.
How Is Popeye Handled in Bettas?
Treatment for popeyes in bettas mostly depends on the underlying reason. Epsom salt and numerous water changes are the recommended treatments if you believe it was caused by physical harm.
When an infection is the source of popeye, the infection must be completely removed from the water supply. After that, depending on the infection’s underlying cause, you will need to take ampicillin or other medications.
Treatment Ideas for Sick Betta Fish
If you use these suggestions, your pet’s chances of recovery will be increased.
Treat sick fish in the quarantine tank.
Before reintroducing sick fish to their tank, quarantine them first. This should stop the infection from spreading. The minimum size requirement for a hospital tank is 10 gallons, with a bare bottom. It needs to have established biological filtration in addition to chemical filtration. To maintain proper water circulation, it will also need an air pump and a heater. Although it is not required, using a UV sterilizer is an option.
It is not necessary to have an expensive or complex quarantine system. Maintained cleanliness, performed routine water changes, and monitored the fish population and water chemistry. If the bettas are anxious or worried, keep the light levels low and offer lots of shelter, including flower pots or other decorative items.
Check to make sure the aquarium is stable and placed in a calm area of the house. Because of how straightforward these arrangements are, it is much simpler to investigate symptoms and identify the illness’s root cause.
Choose the Correct Prescription for Your Betta’s Condition
Ask for assistance in selecting the proper prescription from your neighborhood aquarium store, which will have treatments for many different illnesses. These stores’ genuine hobbyists are happy to attempt and identify the illness your fish may be suffering from and suggest the appropriate treatment.
Observe the directions on the medication’s label.
Exactly adhere to the instructions provided on the medication’s label. Do not rely on estimates when measuring; drugs specify how much to use per gallon or per tank volume. For a smaller tank, you might need to reduce the medication to the proper level. Remember that improper medicine administration might cause some drugs to harm fish.
Complete the treatment
Apply the appropriate course of treatment. The biggest error most individuals make is to stop taking the medication when their pet starts to get better. This frequently gives the disease a foothold again, and if therapy is resumed, it usually develops resistance to the medication.
Advice on Keeping Your Betta Fish Happy and Healthy
There are several tasks you can do routinely to make sure your fish remains happy and healthy once you have identified the illness your Betta fish has and administered the appropriate medication. It is crucial to keep in mind that, when keeping a Betta fish, prevention is always preferable to cure, therefore here are some suggestions:
- Regularly clean your fish bowl or aquarium.
- Check the water’s pH values.
- Put any fresh fish you bring home in quarantine.
- Be careful not to overfeed your fish when adding aquarium salt.
- For the sake of the tank’s other fish, remove any deceased fish right away.
- Make that the water is warm.
FAQ
What do sick bettas appear like?
A physically healthy betta will have flowing fins and brilliant hues. This stands out in contrast to a sick betta, whose color is sometimes dull and faded and whose fins may appear ragged, clumped, or droopy.
Why is my betta fish covered in white, fluffy material?
Fungal infection occurs when a fungus spreads and consumes a fish’s body, fins, and skin. On the fish, it appears as a white, cotton-like slime. Fortunately, the majority of fungal infections only affect the tissues on the outside of fish. Most infections are frequently brought on by an injury or other infection that already exists.
What does betta fish ammonia poisoning look like?
The gills’ natural hue will change to purple or red. Your betta’s gills can even start to bleed as the ammonia toxicity worsens. Another indication is if the gills appear irritated, so you should look for that as well.
Why are betta fish so difficult to maintain?
Poor water quality is one of the leading reasons for betta fish deaths. There are also urban legends that betta fishes can sometimes be kept in very tiny, claustrophobic environments and do not need much upkeep. Bettas are extremely simple to care for, although they frequently perish due to inadequate clean water and room.
Conclusion
As with any pet, keeping your bettas clean and providing them with correct nutrition can help you keep them healthy and avoid the majority of diseases from ever becoming a problem.
But no, regardless of how hard you try, you will still have sick and ill fishes to deal with you like it or not, as my practice as an aquarist has taught me.
You will be a step ahead if you are equipped with the first aid equipment described above and have your medical tank ready to go. Early treatment is crucial, and this cannot be emphasized enough! Get to know your betta’s habits and appearance by keeping a regular eye on it. If you follow this advice, you will be able to spot trouble at its earliest stages.