New Betta Health Issues

Hi all!

I picked up 3 new bettas & they have some issues. I got 1 male CT, 1 male HM, and 1 female VT. Previously, they had been in & out of the same tanks together for breeding purposes.

The CT seems to look the best other than some rips in his fins from the female when they were kept together to breed.

The VT is the next best looking, but I did notice she had some clear, slimy something or other on her, which eventually sloughed off & don't think I've seen any since.

The HM is the one I'm kinda concerned about. He has some sort of whitish spots along the left side of his face, & I noticed some of the clear, slimy stuff on him, too. I don't think it's ich, since it doesn't look like fine grains of sand or sugar. It looks more like fuzzy, out of focus dots. Kinda reminds me of when mold starts on a tomato.

I've been using Melafix for the HM's ripped fins, but wasn't sure what to use with my VT & CT since I'm not exactly sure what it is they have. I was thinking fungal, but after more reading it sounds like it could be bacterial, too! Appreciate any input you guys may have...I need to nurse these guys back to health ASAP!

Thanks!
-Stacy

Correction....The HM is in best condition, with the exception of the ripped fins. The CT is the one with the weird white spots on him. Sorry 'bout that!

First you have to be very careful using Melafix on Bettas. I never use it on mine. It is very toxic to them. I would say try putting some aquarium salt in the tanks. Also you can try some garlic juice in the tanks. If they don't work you can get Betta revive at your LFS.

whisper wrote:

First you have to be very careful using Melafix on Bettas. I never use it on mine. It is very toxic to them. I would say try putting some aquarium salt in the tanks. Also you can try some garlic juice in the tanks. If they don't work you can get Betta revive at your LFS.

Great, thanks so much. I never knew you could add garlic juice. Might be a nice, natural alternative to OTC meds if it works. How much would I need to add for medicinal purposes?

Garlic is good for internal parasites. Salt is good for external. Not knowing how big your tanks are I would say about 2 tsp. but really garlic won't hurt them in any amount. I buy the crushed garlic in the jars at the grocery store. I crush it up even smaller at home . You can give just the juice or you can feed a few ground up pieces to them. I even put it in my tanks periodically just as a preventative measure.

That's awesome to know! Oh, and they're in 2.5g tanks, btw!!

OK that still works.