Contrary to popular belief, adding salt to your freshwater aquarium is like using a double-edged sword. On one side there are the benefits that range from assisted healing, to the formation of slime coating, improved gill function, parasite control, and inhibiting nitrate uptake. On the other side, there are many fish and plants that cannot tolerate salinity in their water, and … [Read more...] about Aquarium Salt For Freshwater Tanks
betta diseases
How to Save a Dying Betta Fish
If you find that your betta is gasping at the bottom or surface of the tank, pale in color, has a limp tail fin, unresponsive eyes and with their gills fanning visibly then they may be in critical condition. There are a few things you can do to increase their chances of survival. Prevention is the Best Cure Preventing inhospitable conditions that can lead to the death of … [Read more...] about How to Save a Dying Betta Fish
Diseases and Your Fish Room an alternative approach
At certain times of the year, it seems a rash of a disease makes its way around any given fish room. As a beginner, I have learned the hard way a lot about controlling disease from books, the internet and experimentation. The most important thing to remember is to sanitize (see Cleaning Bowls & Stuff for some advice). When changing water, place your sick fish into a … [Read more...] about Diseases and Your Fish Room an alternative approach
A Warning About Preventative Medicine & Aquarium Fish
I want to bring back an old article that was temporarily removed when we updated our site earlier this year. We’ve been getting a ton of emails from readers treating their bettas for all sorts of diseases. I wanted to be sure to share this information as a warning to all our readers. It’s original title, Dangers of Preventative Medicine was first published on November, 14, … [Read more...] about A Warning About Preventative Medicine & Aquarium Fish
Treating Tropical Fish with Garlic
The use of garlic as a medicinal aid has been popping up all over internet fish forums since 2009. Betta fish and discus owners in particular have been receptive and have touted its benefits for treating anything from appetite loss to blindness and everything in between. When I start seeing a new remedy gain in popularity without any scientific back-up (even loosely … [Read more...] about Treating Tropical Fish with Garlic
Velvet Disease
Velvet Disease or Piscinoödinium or Oödinium pilularis is a parasitic infestation that is very common among both salt and freshwater fish. This parasite is opportunistic and is present in most commercial aquariums. When a fish is stressed due to temperature fluctuations, poor water quality or other stressors they become susceptible to the parasites. Velvet Disease is … [Read more...] about Velvet Disease
Treating Stubburn Fin Rot in Betta Fish
Shelbi with Fin Rot. Image provided by BS Q: BS wrote, My betta fish Shelbi has fin rot now. His water is and has been pristine with the parameters at their perfect spots. He had blackened tips when I bought him but I thought it was just his coloring. Now his fin tips are damaged and broken. I did water changes and checked his water repeatedly before getting medications to … [Read more...] about Treating Stubburn Fin Rot in Betta Fish
Betta with Severely Swollen Abdomen
Q: SK wrote: I came across your website by the recommendation of a few people. My betta seems to be having a pseudo-unique health problem. He seems constipated but really grossly, but he swims as energetically as always and his appetite hasn’t waned in the slightest. He is however, grotesquely swollen. For the past week, I’ve reduced his regular diet and given him greens like … [Read more...] about Betta with Severely Swollen Abdomen
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