Q: KG wrote, Hi Christie, I was wondering if you could help me. You have a beautiful Betta blog and I was wondering if I could ask for your opinion regarding the course of treatment for my Betta. I have had this fish for approximately 9 months and bought him at a local pet store. He has been healthy until now. About 5 days ago he came down with what appeared to be fungus. … [Read more...] about Medicating for Betta Fungus
Illness & Disease
Stringy Fiber on Betta’s Gills
Fenris Originally uploaded by girlpirate. Q: JG wrote, Several weeks ago on one of my Bettas a white thing appeared at one of its gills. It was small, about one or two millimetres long. It could be seen only rarely, perhaps about once per week or less. One person (who did not see it) thought that it could be a parasitic worm. I saw it again today and this time it was about … [Read more...] about Stringy Fiber on Betta’s Gills
Tail Biting Bettas
Sarge1: Crowntail Betta, Originally uploaded by Aimzee. Healthy crowntail male Betta splendens. Q: N wrote, I think I have a tail biter. His caudal fin is shredded and there is nothing in the tank that could be doing it to him. No sharp plants or other fish. I have dealt with fin rot before with another betta and it doesn’t appear to be that either. Ammonia is 0, nitrite … [Read more...] about Tail Biting Bettas
Bettas Fins are Melting Away
Q: TT wrote, My bettas fins look like they are melting away. They started to fall off a couple of days ago and then this morning they looked even worse. He isn’t swimming much. I don’t understand what is happening and I can’t find the fin pieces anywhere in the bowl. I am really worried that he won’t be able to swim soon. A: If his fins are falling off suddenly and in large … [Read more...] about Bettas Fins are Melting Away
Swim Bladder Disorder & Bettas
Originally uploaded by EcoSnake. Above is a healthy betta whose swim bladder you can see bumping out his side toward the back tail fin. Q: H wrote, My betta can’t swim upright anymore. He has no other signs of illness. No fungus, color loss or lethargy. He is a little swollen around his abdomen though. Is this dropsy? I don’t see any pineconing. A: In a fish’s world, … [Read more...] about Swim Bladder Disorder & Bettas
Fin Rot & Poor Water Quality
Q: R wrote, My betta has tail rot and your site says poor water quality is probably the cause but I don’t think that’s it because my water is totally clear. Could something else cause fin rot? A: Fin rot is caused by a bacterial infection. Different types of bacteria are usually present in the water but dangerous forms of bacteria generally strike fish that are already … [Read more...] about Fin Rot & Poor Water Quality
Cooling Summer Aquariums
Q: HB wrote, Nippyfish, my aquarium is getting too warm for my fish now that summer is here. I don’t have A/C and I’m afraid my betta is going to cook. The temperature is already up to 82F. What can I do? A: As summer approaches many of us will have to struggle with warmer water temperatures. Very warm temperatures can be stressful to fish just as very cold temperatures are … [Read more...] about Cooling Summer Aquariums
Pinhole in Betta’s Tail Fin
Q: FP wrote, My betta has a pinhole in his tail fin. What kind of medicine should I use to fix this? Is this a case of fin rot? A: A pinhole is nothing to worry about. They happen occasionally and will heal themselves in a few days. Fin rot is a bacterial infection and is often characterized by black or bloodied fin tips, ragged ends or sudden loss of fin. It can be avoided … [Read more...] about Pinhole in Betta’s Tail Fin
Bloated Betta
Q: CF wrote, Why is my betta’s stomach so bloated? Is he getting fat? A: A few things can cause a bettas stomach to bloat. Overfeeding is the most common culprit. Most fish food containers advise you to feed your betta what they can eat in two minutes. Because bettas tend to bloat it’s better to offer him just a small amount of food at a time. A bettas stomach is about as big … [Read more...] about Bloated Betta