How to treat Betta fish bacterial issues

[aquamar]

My betta has been acting sluggish and I noticed some white patches on its fins. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Tank is 5 gallons, heated to 78F, filtered with a sponge filter. Been doing weekly 25% water changes. Any ideas what's going on?

[Riveno9]

Sounds like a bacterial infection, possibly columnaris. You'll wanna act fast. Start with a water change, maybe 50%, and add aquarium salt at 1 tsp per gallon. Keep the temp steady and consider an antibiotic like kanamycin if it doesn't improve in a couple days. How long has it been like this?

[aquamar]

Thanks for the advice. It's been about three days since I noticed the patches. I'll try the salt and monitor closely.

[deepdive1]

Sounds like a bacterial infection, possibly columnaris. You'll wanna act fast. Start with a water change, maybe 50%, and add aquarium salt at 1 tsp per gallon. Keep the temp steady and consider an antibiotic like kanamycin if it doesn't improve in a couple days. How long has it been like this?

I agree with the salt treatment, but kanamycin can be harsh. Maybe try erythromycin first, it's gentler on the biofilter. Also, bump the temp to 80F to help their immune system.

[Soapie]

Yeah, columnaris is nasty stuff. Had it wipe out a tank once. Keep an eye on the gills too, it can spread fast. What's your water change schedule like? Maybe up it to twice a week for now.

[pondyke]

I've had good luck with melafix for mild cases. Not sure if it's the best for columnaris, but it's worth a shot if you're not ready to go nuclear with antibiotics. How's the fish eating?

[RidgeFlyer]

Skip the melafix, it's basically snake oil. Go straight for the antibiotics if the salt doesn't cut it. Also, check your filter media, sometimes gunk builds up and messes with water quality even if params look good.

[Silverbird]

I'm new to this, but my betta had something similar. I just did more water changes and it got better. Maybe it's not always bacterial?

[laststep]

Skip the melafix, it's basically snake oil. Go straight for the antibiotics if the salt doesn't cut it. Also, check your filter media, sometimes gunk builds up and messes with water quality even if params look good.

Yeah, melafix is hit or miss. I'd second the kanamycin if it's columnaris. Also, keep the lights low, stress makes it worse.

[LivedFree]

I don't use salt or meds. Just clean water and time. Works for me.