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Betta fish parasites and treatments
Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 7:18 pm
by goldfish
Noticed my betta scratching against the gravel a lot lately. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 nitrate. Anyone dealt with parasites before? What's the best treatment?
Re: Betta fish parasites and treatments
Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 8:59 pm
by reefman
Sounds like external parasites, maybe ich or velvet. Check for white spots or a gold dust appearance. I'd start with raising the temp to 86F for a week, add aquarium salt at 1 tsp per gallon. If it's velvet, you'll need copper-based meds like Cupramine.
Re: Betta fish parasites and treatments
Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 9:17 pm
by guyah
reefman wrote: ↑Thu Jul 24, 2025 8:59 pm
Sounds like external parasites, maybe ich or velvet. Check for white spots or a gold dust appearance. I'd start with raising the temp to 86F for a week, add aquarium salt at 1 tsp per gallon. If it's velvet, you'll need copper-based meds like Cupramine.
Yep, agree with reefman. Also, dim the lights if it's velvet, that stuff hates light. Keep an eye on your fish's breathing, copper can be harsh.
Re: Betta fish parasites and treatments
Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 10:51 pm
by sandbaker
My dude had ich last month. Did the heat and salt thing, cleared up in like 5 days. Just make sure your tank's cycled, meds can mess with the bio filter.
Re: Betta fish parasites and treatments
Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 11:19 pm
by ranchero
Had a similar issue with my halfmoon. Turned out to be flukes. Used PraziPro, worked like a charm. You might wanna quarantine if you have other fish, parasites spread quick.
Re: Betta fish parasites and treatments
Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2025 12:42 am
by luminix
How often should I dose the meds? My betta's in a 10 gallon, no tankmates. Also, should I skip feeding during treatment?
Re: Betta fish parasites and treatments
Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2025 1:11 am
by falconix9
luminix wrote: ↑Fri Jul 25, 2025 12:42 am
How often should I dose the meds? My betta's in a 10 gallon, no tankmates. Also, should I skip feeding during treatment?
Follow the med instructions exactly, usually every 48 hours. Keep feeding, but go light. Stress coat can help too, just don't mix it with copper meds.
Re: Betta fish parasites and treatments
Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2025 2:19 am
by goldfish
Thanks for the advice, everyone. Gonna try the salt and heat first, see if that cuts it.
Re: Betta fish parasites and treatments
Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2025 2:52 am
by buzzybee
Good call. Just remember to do small water changes daily if you're using salt, it doesn't evaporate. And keep the temp steady, fluctuations stress 'em out more.
Re: Betta fish parasites and treatments
Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2025 4:24 am
by Dawnrider
If you're using copper, get a test kit. Overdosing is bad news. Also, remove any carbon from your filter, it'll soak up the meds.