sick betta

crobin · 06-15-03

My betta is very sick. I think I left him in his water too long before changing it the last time. He's lethargic, won't eat and his eyes are popped out. I've put him in fresh water and begun treatment with BettaFix Remedy, but from what I've read I think he needs tetricycline.
So far, I've only been able to find tetricycline in tablets for large aquariums. So I guess what I need to know is: Is it ok to treat bettas with tetricycline? If so is it ok to break a porportionate amount off the large tablet to accomodate a small container? Also, is it ok to have the BettaFix Remedy and tetricycline in the bowl together or should I start over with completely clear water?
I would appreciate any advice.
Thanks

Spanish Queen · 06-15-03

more information may help us to tell you what kind of drugs may be required, if any.
Tetracycline is often a last ditch because it is very strong. But the best way I know to treat a small tank is to dissolve the tab into some water. For example, if the directions say 1 per 10 gall, dissolve it in 10 teasoons of tank water. It dissolves better if you crush it up a bit first. Then, add 1 teaspoon for a 1 gallon bowl....... Make sure to keep the other 9 teaspoons in the fridge!
Another way to help them feel better when they are sick is to heat them up. Up as high as 80 or 82 for bettas will make them feel better if you can.
I don't know how big the tank is, but if it is small (like 2 gall or less) I like to do 100% water changes every day when they are sick. Clean water is also very important when they are sick. Then the ammonia wont get built up.......
If the tank is bigger and new, maybe you are having the cycle occuring, and the ammonia is building up really quickly. This is VERY hard on fish like a betta. You may want to get an ammonia tester.............
From what I know, BettaFix is one of the wonderful marketting tools of the hobby. This is just watered down Melafix, which is barely a medication at all. Any drugs that are "specifically" for bettas, or any other form of fish, is a marketting tool to get you to pay more. Just look at the ingredients.....
But I would still do a huge water change before I add any other meds. I am always scared to add anything or mix meds.
Finally, to end off the novel I have written so far, I just want to make sure you know to ALWAYS finish off the prescribed length of dosage to ensure that the "bugs" are gone. If you don't, you are going to cause "superbugs" (I am sure you have heard of this, when a bacteria or whatever is hurting your fish that is sturdy enough to survive the partial drug treatment will then proliferate and make a chain of bugs that are immune to that drug. And the best thing about these microorganisms is that they can pass this immunity to other kinds, even from bacteria to fungus!!!!!! And then this drug will be useless in your tanks!!!!)
Well, anyways, I hope I have helped a little and I hope he feels better soon!!!
Jenn

crobin · 06-16-03

Thanks so much for the reply.
I've put him in a new 1/2 gall container and begun treatment with tetracyclin. He seems to be a little more lively today, but still won't eat. Is this because he can't see the food with his eyes all popped out? He hasn't eaten for 5 or 6 days and I'm afraid he'll die of malnutrition before he can recover from the infection.

Spanish Queen · 06-16-03

Tetracycline should be good for popeye. And I wouldn't worry too much yet with the food. They can go for 2 weeks or more without eating when they are sick. I think when they don't feel well, they aren't interested, like you or I would be. If it gets to be nearing three weeks, then you can get some vitamins you can add to the water, but I have never used these. After they get feeling better, they will start eating again.
If you are really worried, I would try tempting them with treats like bloodworms, or live food. I prefer the freeze dried because there is less of a chance of them bringing in parasites and making the problem worse.
And heating him up will increase his metabolism and make him hungry sooner.
Just a reminder, with the half gallon, try to change the water every day. Clean water goes a long way to making them feel better!!!
It sounds good that he is swimming more. I am sure he will be better soon. Good luck!!
Jenn

crobin · 06-17-03

Thanks again,
Its a big relief to know they can go that long without eating. Tonight he has fresh water and another dose of tetracycline so guess all I can do is wait and hope for my little buddy to get better.

crobin · 06-17-03

The first day on tetracyclin my betta seemed to be getting better. But now his water is turning pink (he's a dark blue and redish purple betta) and he's not moving much again. Could the antibiotics be bleaching him out somehow? Does it mean I added too much tetracyclin to his water? I measured it very carefully, disolving first in water and adding porportionate amount for his container. Also I changed his water completely with both the 1st and 2nd dose. Since he seems to be getting worse so fast, I'm going to change his water again and add only about 1/2 the amount of tetracyclin I did before. I just don't know what else to do.

06-15-03	#1
crobin Pets Hub Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: iowa Posts: 6	sick betta My betta is very sick. I think I left him in his water too long before changing it the last time. He's lethargic, won't eat and his eyes are popped out. I've put him in fresh water and begun treatment with BettaFix Remedy, but from what I've read I think he needs tetricycline. So far, I've only been able to find tetricycline in tablets for large aquariums. So I guess what I need to know is: Is it ok to treat bettas with tetricycline? If so is it ok to break a porportionate amount off the large tablet to accomodate a small container? Also, is it ok to have the BettaFix Remedy and tetricycline in the bowl together or should I start over with completely clear water? I would appreciate any advice. Thanks

06-17-03	#6
crobin Pets Hub Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: iowa Posts: 6	update sick betta The first day on tetracyclin my betta seemed to be getting better. But now his water is turning pink (he's a dark blue and redish purple betta) and he's not moving much again. Could the antibiotics be bleaching him out somehow? Does it mean I added too much tetracyclin to his water? I measured it very carefully, disolving first in water and adding porportionate amount for his container. Also I changed his water completely with both the 1st and 2nd dose. Since he seems to be getting worse so fast, I'm going to change his water again and add only about 1/2 the amount of tetracyclin I did before. I just don't know what else to do.

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06-15-03	#2
Spanish Queen Pets Hub Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 89	more information may help us to tell you what kind of drugs may be required, if any. Tetracycline is often a last ditch because it is very strong. But the best way I know to treat a small tank is to dissolve the tab into some water. For example, if the directions say 1 per 10 gall, dissolve it in 10 teasoons of tank water. It dissolves better if you crush it up a bit first. Then, add 1 teaspoon for a 1 gallon bowl....... Make sure to keep the other 9 teaspoons in the fridge! Another way to help them feel better when they are sick is to heat them up. Up as high as 80 or 82 for bettas will make them feel better if you can. I don't know how big the tank is, but if it is small (like 2 gall or less) I like to do 100% water changes every day when they are sick. Clean water is also very important when they are sick. Then the ammonia wont get built up....... If the tank is bigger and new, maybe you are having the cycle occuring, and the ammonia is building up really quickly. This is VERY hard on fish like a betta. You may want to get an ammonia tester............. From what I know, BettaFix is one of the wonderful marketting tools of the hobby. This is just watered down Melafix, which is barely a medication at all. Any drugs that are "specifically" for bettas, or any other form of fish, is a marketting tool to get you to pay more. Just look at the ingredients..... But I would still do a huge water change before I add any other meds. I am always scared to add anything or mix meds. Finally, to end off the novel I have written so far, I just want to make sure you know to ALWAYS finish off the prescribed length of dosage to ensure that the "bugs" are gone. If you don't, you are going to cause "superbugs" (I am sure you have heard of this, when a bacteria or whatever is hurting your fish that is sturdy enough to survive the partial drug treatment will then proliferate and make a chain of bugs that are immune to that drug. And the best thing about these microorganisms is that they can pass this immunity to other kinds, even from bacteria to fungus!!!!!! And then this drug will be useless in your tanks!!!!) Well, anyways, I hope I have helped a little and I hope he feels better soon!!! Jenn

06-16-03	#3
crobin Pets Hub Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: iowa Posts: 6	Thanks so much for the reply. I've put him in a new 1/2 gall container and begun treatment with tetracyclin. He seems to be a little more lively today, but still won't eat. Is this because he can't see the food with his eyes all popped out? He hasn't eaten for 5 or 6 days and I'm afraid he'll die of malnutrition before he can recover from the infection.