Saltypuppy
Aquarium Advice Freak
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2010
- Messages
- 383
Maybe? What are the symptoms of that? I haven't seen any worms or anything...Is it possible they have internal parasites?
Maybe? What are the symptoms of that? I haven't seen any worms or anything...Is it possible they have internal parasites?
Here is a giant article. In about the 6th paragrah it gives some symptoms.
Freshwater Fish Parasites
Clinical signs of parasitic disease in fish can be vague. A sick fish may be seen swimming along, it may swim more slowly, it may swim on its side, the gills may move more rapidly, the fins may be clamped or be droopy, and it may be losing weight. The fish may have white spots on the skin or gills or it may rub against tank plants, ornaments or gravel. Some fish may have the appearance of a bloated abdomen.
Those are just some of the signs. You could always go get some anti-parasitic food (I have used Jungle) and try it. You feed them only that for a month, and it doesn't hurt them. They are like little pellets, and I would soak them for a bit and then break them in half, giving half to each betta. Also, you feed ONLY that food, no regular food.
No, it won't hurt them. I said a 1/2 pellet because after you soak them they are pretty big. I think it would be a good idea to try, since nothing else seems to be working.
Jungle Laboratories Corporation
Here is more info on the meds:
Medicated Aquarium Fish Food: Jungle Labs Medicated Fish Foods
Both say that they can be used as a preventative, so that means you can use them any time, and they have pretty much the same ingredients as regular fish food.
Oh! So my friends betta had a white poop that was about an inch long. It fell off now, and he appears normal. Does it mean he has internal parasites? Or was it just an off poop?
Details: Gently spread food over water surface so that it floats. Feed exclusively for 3 consecutive days a week for 4 weeks. Do not use other foods during these 3 day periods. Feed 1 or 2 times daily as much as the fish will eat. May be used with external water treatments, antibiotic/fungal or antiparasitic treatments. For scavengers and small fish, crush pellets to desired size.
So I only feeed them 3 times a week?
It depends. It could be something simple or it could be a sign of Hexamita. If the fish is losing weight, has a loss of appetite and its feces are long, slimy, white and stringy, then yes it's probably Hexamita. Otherwise the fish might just be constipated.
Need to know more before I can say anything on that issue.
No, the way that I interpret that is, you feed only the medicated food to them for 3 consecutive days, each week, for 4 weeks. On the other days you feed them as normal. On those 3 days however, you feed them only the medicated food.
I would use what dkpate suggested. It's good stuff. If you can't find it locally, you can easily find it by mail order from the Internet.
So find the Jungle Anti- parasite stuff. So you think this could be causing the problems too? I will look at Petsmart. They have a ton of fish meds / food. Should I use aquarium salt too?
I couldn't say for sure. All I can say with certainty is that I know the Jungle product works, and works well.
As far as the salt is concerned, don't overdo it. Use one or the other. Otherwise you may begin to stress your fish with too many cures at once. Not good for them or the tank.
With the anti-parasitic food, you feed ONLY that, no regular food, for a month. Bettas can go up to a month without ANY food, so only feeding them 3 times a week will be fine.
I got my Jungle stuff at PetSmart.
Make sure you soak the pellets first, they get pretty big, and then break them in half. Maybe that way you can feed them "twice as much", half a pellet each day, which would be 6 times a week, with one day of fasting.