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How to treat Betta fish bacterial issues
Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2025 3:00 pm
by 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?
Re: How to treat Betta fish bacterial issues
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2025 9:20 am
by 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?
Re: How to treat Betta fish bacterial issues
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2025 12:19 pm
by aquamar
Thanks for the advice. It's been about three days since I noticed the patches. I'll try the salt and monitor closely.
Re: How to treat Betta fish bacterial issues
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2025 3:12 pm
by deepdive1
Riveno9 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 26, 2025 9:20 am
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.
Re: How to treat Betta fish bacterial issues
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2025 11:30 am
by 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.
Re: How to treat Betta fish bacterial issues
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2025 11:32 am
by 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?
Re: How to treat Betta fish bacterial issues
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2025 2:30 pm
by 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.
Re: How to treat Betta fish bacterial issues
Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2025 12:33 pm
by 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?
Re: How to treat Betta fish bacterial issues
Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2025 4:17 pm
by laststep
RidgeFlyer wrote: ↑Sat Sep 27, 2025 2:30 pm
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.
Re: How to treat Betta fish bacterial issues
Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2025 5:22 pm
by LivedFree
I don't use salt or meds. Just clean water and time. Works for me.