fairly new to bettas

[dancersmama79]

HI im making my 3rd attempt to raise a betta.I have a red male veil tail in a 1 gallon tank with a carbon internal filter and a fake plant and stones in the bottom. I do complete water changes twice a week. and feed him twice a day. Hes healthy and has shown no sign of sickness until yesterday he has a prominent white spot on the top of his head. Hes not acting any differently than normal hes eating normal and there arent any other spots or tiny spots just the one on the top of his head. i changed his water yesterday but dont know what else to do for him... any suggestions??

 

[Bettababe1011]

I'm not sure what the spot on his head is... Can you post pictures?
Also, he needs a five gallon tank. What are the parameters and temp of his current set up?

 

[tarpon]

I'm not sure what the spot on his head is... Can you post pictures?
Also, he needs a five gallon tank. What are the parameters and temp of his current set up?

I would argue the fact that a betta NEEDS a five gallon tank as ive raised many to three years of age in one gallon bowls when i was younger, but yes, 5 gallons w/filtration and heater is the ideal setup providing optimal conditions, longer lifespan and minimal stress for a betta which causes things like this to happen.

A picture would be helpful. Sounds like some kind of fungus

 

[dancersmama79]

his temp is at 76-78 and i dont have a test kit for his water as i dont have the money for it right now...

 

[dancersmama79]

i plan to buy a 5 gal tank in Jan i also have a filter in the 1gal and a heater ive just ordered

 

[Bettababe1011]

Okay. I can't tell what it is. Is it like the scales turned discolored, or is it kind of fuzzy looking?

 

[dancersmama79]

it looks patchy... yesterday it was pure white and and bigger

 

[Bettababe1011]

When was the last water change?

 

[dancersmama79]

i changed his water yesterday as soon as i noticed it

 

[Bettababe1011]

If it seemed to lessen it, try daily water changes and keep an eye on him. See if that helps him improve.

 

[dancersmama79]

daily complete water changes? what could have caused it?

 

[Bettababe1011]

Try 50% water changes. I'm not sure what caused it, but the water change seemed to improve it, right?

 

[dancersmama79]

okie thank you

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Is the tank cycled?

 

[Bettababe1011]

Is the tank cycled?

that should have been my first question... Thank you, mumma.of.two! An uncycled tank could contribute to this.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Here is the fish in cycling link.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/artic...g-but-I-already-have-fish-What-now/Page2.html

 

[Viperchaos]

It looks like an ulcer...

 

[Sisserydoo]

It could also be an injury. Have you noticed him rooting around in the rocks or rubbing on anything?

 

[redsea]

Welcome! Thanks for joining us!

 

[ashleynicole]

It's kind of hard to cycle a 1 gallon tank. If there's a filter in there it may eventually cycle, but will take a really long time. While he is sick, yes I would do 100 % water changes every day. This will remove any trace of toxins, and should be easy to do since its only 1 gallon. Just pour him into a bowl , pour the water out, and put new water in that has been treated with dechlorinator.

For a healthy betta in this size tank, I would do a 100 % water change every 2-3 days.