1. Fin/Tail Rot:
Fin and tail rot is one of the most common, and also the most preventable diseases found on betta fish. It is usually caused by several different types of bacteria, and often occurs concurrently with other diseases. It is easy to diagnose, but once you spot it, you should take care of it as it can kill the diseased fish and infect the others in the aquarium.
Symptoms:
- Fins/tail are frayed or split.
- Fins/tail are discolored (white or brown, with fuzzy-looking growth).
- Bases of fins and tail are enflamed.
- Fins/tail completely decay.
Treatment and prevention:
- Adding some aquarium salt to the fish tank is most likely to help. Use 1/4 -- 1/2 teaspoon for every gallon of water.
- If the salt doesn't work, you must put medicine in the water. You can purchase medicine at most pet stores, but before purchasing anything, ask the sales person what is best for your betta. Mardel is what I have always used and is not an ideal medicine, as it works well for some diseases and not for others.
To prevent your betta from getting tail/fin rot, you must clean the water weekly; two weeks at most. Any more than two weeks is a pretty sure recipe for a floating fish.
2. Popeye:
Popeye is when your betta fish suddenly gets a bulging eye. My betta fish got popeye and it spread to its mouth, preventing him from eating and therefore starving himself. Popeye usually isn't fatal, but was in my case. The cause of popeye is usually bacterial infection, just like fin and tail rot. It can be transferred through the water.
Symptoms:
- Betta's eye(s) double or triple in size.
- Betta may be less active
- Betta may stop eating as much
Treatment and Prevention:
Your betta may lose an eye due to popeye. Immediately transfer him to clean water. Clean every three days. Medicate with correct antibiotic. Continue medicating until eye shrinks back to normal size and for another week after that (just to be sure!). To prevent popeye and other diseases, keep your betta water clean!
3. Dropsy
This is a common and highly fatal disease found often in betta fish. It can be caused by feeding live food, such as black worms. It might also be caused by a kidney failure.
Symptoms:
The symptoms are extremely obvious. The betta's body is bloated and the scales look like pricked-out pinecones. Betta is usually very lethargic.
Treatment and Prevention:
There really is not much you can do if your betta fish has dropsy. Once you notice it, there has probably been too much damage to the internal organs for you to do anything about it. Put some dissolved aquarium salt (1/4 -- 1/2 teaspoon per gallon) in the water. This does not cure the disease, or prolong the betta's life, but it does make your betta fish a little more comfortable. Remember, always keep an injured or sick betta warm. Isolate the affected betta even though dropsy is not contagious and make sure his water is crystal clear. Medicate the water with Maracyn-Two. Prevent dropsy by keeping your betta healthy.
4. Inflamed Gills:
Inflamed gills can be caused by: nitrate poisoning, bacterial infections or a defective gill (he was born that way).
Symptoms:
- If you look at the betta from the top, you might notice that one or both of his gills don't close properly.
- Betta may be gasping for air
- Unable to breath
Treatment and Prevention:
Isolate sick betta and immediately do a full water change. Add Ampicillin medication. Prevent gill disease (inflamed gills) by keeping the betta's water clean!
There are many more less common and more deadly diseases out there for bettas. Some diseases you can't treat at all as there is no cure (such as tuberculosis). Before you add any medication to the water, make sure you know what you're doing. Do plenty of research, as some medication, if not necessary, can be fatal to your fish.
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