Hi everyone,
I think my betta has ich, and I'm coming to you for help! Here is my info:
1. What type of fish is afflicted? Male betta, today I noticed several white spots
2. What are your tank parameters (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, temp, pH)? Unfortunately I do not have an ammonia testing kit right now. Nitrates and nitrites are at 0, I have a heater designed for small tanks which maintains ~76 degrees. I just did a water change and tested the water, the pH reads neutral (6.8-7.2)
3. How large is the tank? How long has the tank been set up? The tank is 1.5 gallons. It has been set up for about 3 weeks.
4. What type of filtration are you using? Please give the name and number (i.e. Fluval 304) and amount of gph if known. I have a Tetra Whisper Internal Filter, Model 1-3i.
5.How many fish are in the tank? What kinds of fish are they and what are their current sizes? Just one betta.
6. When is the last time you did a water change and vacuum the gravel? How often do you do this? How much water do you remove at a time? I just did a 100% water change, I do these weekly. I don't vacuum the gravel, but rinse it thoroughly at each water change.
7. How long have you had the fish? If the fish is new, how did you acclimate it/them? I've had the fish about three weeks and bought him at Petsmart.
8~Have you added anything new to the tank--decor, new dechlorinator, new substrate, etc.? No, I've been using the same things since I got the fish.
9. What kind of food have you been feeding your fish, have you changed their diet recently? Just betta pellets, haven't changed diet.
I thought my fish, Socrates, was doing so well up until today when I noticed these white spots! He's been very active, eating normally, and even made a bubble nest the other day.
I am fighting the urge to run up to Wal-Mart right now (the only thing that's open), and get some kind of medicine.. but the more research I do, the more I find medicine is not generally recommended. I have read about using heat, but unfortunately since my tank is so small I cannot really regulate the temperature much. I also read about aquarium salt, and I do add about 1/2 tablespoon of aquarium salt after a water change.
So, what should I do? I am confused as to whether I should start treatment now or wait until the parasites detach themselves from the fish. I don't want to use any medicines that could end up killing him.
Thank you so much!
I think my betta has ich, and I'm coming to you for help! Here is my info:
1. What type of fish is afflicted? Male betta, today I noticed several white spots
2. What are your tank parameters (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, temp, pH)? Unfortunately I do not have an ammonia testing kit right now. Nitrates and nitrites are at 0, I have a heater designed for small tanks which maintains ~76 degrees. I just did a water change and tested the water, the pH reads neutral (6.8-7.2)
3. How large is the tank? How long has the tank been set up? The tank is 1.5 gallons. It has been set up for about 3 weeks.
4. What type of filtration are you using? Please give the name and number (i.e. Fluval 304) and amount of gph if known. I have a Tetra Whisper Internal Filter, Model 1-3i.
5.How many fish are in the tank? What kinds of fish are they and what are their current sizes? Just one betta.
6. When is the last time you did a water change and vacuum the gravel? How often do you do this? How much water do you remove at a time? I just did a 100% water change, I do these weekly. I don't vacuum the gravel, but rinse it thoroughly at each water change.
7. How long have you had the fish? If the fish is new, how did you acclimate it/them? I've had the fish about three weeks and bought him at Petsmart.
8~Have you added anything new to the tank--decor, new dechlorinator, new substrate, etc.? No, I've been using the same things since I got the fish.
9. What kind of food have you been feeding your fish, have you changed their diet recently? Just betta pellets, haven't changed diet.
I thought my fish, Socrates, was doing so well up until today when I noticed these white spots! He's been very active, eating normally, and even made a bubble nest the other day.
I am fighting the urge to run up to Wal-Mart right now (the only thing that's open), and get some kind of medicine.. but the more research I do, the more I find medicine is not generally recommended. I have read about using heat, but unfortunately since my tank is so small I cannot really regulate the temperature much. I also read about aquarium salt, and I do add about 1/2 tablespoon of aquarium salt after a water change.
So, what should I do? I am confused as to whether I should start treatment now or wait until the parasites detach themselves from the fish. I don't want to use any medicines that could end up killing him.
Thank you so much!