Sick bettas!

[jespenguin]

So 2 of my female bettas had white spots the day after they arrived from being shipped. I immediately quarantined them, and began an aquarium salt treatment per advise of someone on a Betta forum. But it seems to be getting worse! So I'm looking for second opinions.

 

[dkpate]

Wow, that is horrible!!! Are the bettas together? It looks like a bite from the pic, and that is flesh hanging out.

I would get some Melafix/Pimafix and keep the water SUPER clean. I am not sure if that will ever heal up though. Have you contacted the shippers and let them know what's going on?

 

[jespenguin]

They were together with 3 others, but now they are in separate QT. It was just a flat white spot that has grown to that. I was advised to add more salt. I have and now the white is a fleshy red. Not sure if it's a good or bad thing, but they seem more active. If it's a bad thing, I'll head to the store I guess. And no I have not contacted them.

 

[jespenguin]

Oh and the person who's helping on the betta forum thinks it's columnaris if anyone has more suggestions for that.

 

[dkpate]

Here is a really great article on columnaris: Columnaris (Flexibacteria); Aquarium/Pond Treatment, Prevention; Fungus, Saprolegnia

Whatever it is, it seems to be eating the flesh.

 

[jespenguin]

I've read all the articles. I just can't find anything that shows what it looks like healing. But if it's worse tomorrow I think I have to make the executive decision. At least for the worse of the two.

 

[Tasha]

Wow, not sure what to suggest just wanted to wish you luck!

 

[jespenguin]

Thanks! It's seems the one in the picture is septic, and she's nose down and can't straighten herself out. I'm going to buy alcohol now But the better of the 2 has not turned red. Her still white spots are getting smaller! I can officially say columnaris 1 Jami 1. I don't really like to tie, but it's better than a total loss.

 

[Nippyfish]

Oh wow. There are virulent strains of columnare but this looks, to me, like a wound (bite?) or a flesh-eating bacteria (columnare can cause tissue to die). Not that I've ever heard of the later infecting a betta. (I don't see why it couldn't, it affects larger fish this way) If it were my fish I'd look for a wide spectrum antibiotic that treats both gram-negative and gram-positive infections. I'm conservative with antibiotics but after seeing the photo... it seems appropriate.