sick betta

[crobin]

My betta is very sick. I think I left him in his water too long before changing it the last time. He's lethargic, won't eat and his eyes are popped out. I've put him in fresh water and begun treatment with BettaFix Remedy, but from what I've read I think he needs tetricycline.
So far, I've only been able to find tetricycline in tablets for large aquariums. So I guess what I need to know is: Is it ok to treat bettas with tetricycline? If so is it ok to break a porportionate amount off the large tablet to accomodate a small container? Also, is it ok to have the BettaFix Remedy and tetricycline in the bowl together or should I start over with completely clear water?
I would appreciate any advice.
Thanks

[Spanish Queen]

more information may help us to tell you what kind of drugs may be required, if any.
Tetracycline is often a last ditch because it is very strong. But the best way I know to treat a small tank is to dissolve the tab into some water. For example, if the directions say 1 per 10 gall, dissolve it in 10 teasoons of tank water. It dissolves better if you crush it up a bit first. Then, add 1 teaspoon for a 1 gallon bowl....... Make sure to keep the other 9 teaspoons in the fridge!
Another way to help them feel better when they are sick is to heat them up. Up as high as 80 or 82 for bettas will make them feel better if you can.
I don't know how big the tank is, but if it is small (like 2 gall or less) I like to do 100% water changes every day when they are sick. Clean water is also very important when they are sick. Then the ammonia wont get built up.......
If the tank is bigger and new, maybe you are having the cycle occuring, and the ammonia is building up really quickly. This is VERY hard on fish like a betta. You may want to get an ammonia tester.............
From what I know, BettaFix is one of the wonderful marketting tools of the hobby. This is just watered down Melafix, which is barely a medication at all. Any drugs that are "specifically" for bettas, or any other form of fish, is a marketting tool to get you to pay more. Just look at the ingredients.....
But I would still do a huge water change before I add any other meds. I am always scared to add anything or mix meds.
Finally, to end off the novel I have written so far, I just want to make sure you know to ALWAYS finish off the prescribed length of dosage to ensure that the "bugs" are gone. If you don't, you are going to cause "superbugs" (I am sure you have heard of this, when a bacteria or whatever is hurting your fish that is sturdy enough to survive the partial drug treatment will then proliferate and make a chain of bugs that are immune to that drug. And the best thing about these microorganisms is that they can pass this immunity to other kinds, even from bacteria to fungus!!!!!! And then this drug will be useless in your tanks!!!!)
Well, anyways, I hope I have helped a little and I hope he feels better soon!!!
Jenn

[crobin]

Thanks so much for the reply.
I've put him in a new 1/2 gall container and begun treatment with tetracyclin. He seems to be a little more lively today, but still won't eat. Is this because he can't see the food with his eyes all popped out? He hasn't eaten for 5 or 6 days and I'm afraid he'll die of malnutrition before he can recover from the infection.

[Spanish Queen]

Tetracycline should be good for popeye. And I wouldn't worry too much yet with the food. They can go for 2 weeks or more without eating when they are sick. I think when they don't feel well, they aren't interested, like you or I would be. If it gets to be nearing three weeks, then you can get some vitamins you can add to the water, but I have never used these. After they get feeling better, they will start eating again.
If you are really worried, I would try tempting them with treats like bloodworms, or live food. I prefer the freeze dried because there is less of a chance of them bringing in parasites and making the problem worse.
And heating him up will increase his metabolism and make him hungry sooner.
Just a reminder, with the half gallon, try to change the water every day. Clean water goes a long way to making them feel better!!!
It sounds good that he is swimming more. I am sure he will be better soon. Good luck!!
Jenn

[crobin]

Thanks again,
Its a big relief to know they can go that long without eating. Tonight he has fresh water and another dose of tetracycline so guess all I can do is wait and hope for my little buddy to get better.

[crobin]

The first day on tetracyclin my betta seemed to be getting better. But now his water is turning pink (he's a dark blue and redish purple betta) and he's not moving much again. Could the antibiotics be bleaching him out somehow? Does it mean I added too much tetracyclin to his water? I measured it very carefully, disolving first in water and adding porportionate amount for his container. Also I changed his water completely with both the 1st and 2nd dose. Since he seems to be getting worse so fast, I'm going to change his water again and add only about 1/2 the amount of tetracyclin I did before. I just don't know what else to do.

[Spanish Queen]

Hmmm, pink, huh? Could the lights you are using have a pinkish hue? I know that any meds will usually turn the water cloudy, but I am sure it is not bleaching him out. He may get pale too, another sign that he is stressed out, but not bleached.
What are his symptoms? I know that Tetracycline will work for popeye, but if there is something else, you may not be using the right medications. Just like us, certain medications are good for certain illnesses, and will not work on others.
If you could also tell us what meds you have on hand, maybe we could find a better match. But don't forget, we will have to finish off the Tetracycline now that we have started the treatment!!!
If he is getting really stressed out with the 100% water changes,
maybe try just sucking out most of the water, and leaving him in there. The netting can be very stressful. I have used airline hose to syphon it out and then to add it back, so it doesn't happen really quickly and push him around.
I am also wondering if you have any plants or anything in there that he can hide behind? They get really stressed out when they are sick, and want to hide, but if there is nowhere to hide, that makes him stress out too. Anything that can reduce the stress will help by not putting pressure on his immune system to deal with these other unrelated and fixable things, and allow it to work on whatever is making him sick.
How is his temperature, by the way? An easy way to heat a little tank like that is with a seedling mat if you have such a thing, or I have used a regular desk lamp over him. If you can warm him up to 80 or 82 that will likely help. Just be sure to monitor the temp so that you don't boil him!!!
I hope he is feeling better soon!!
Jenn

[crobin]

My poor little betta died. He somehow flipped out of his aquarium. I found him on the floor when I got home from work today. I just don't understand how this could have happened. He's hardly moved at all for the past 2 weeks! How could he all of a sudden flip himself hard enough to flip completely out of his aquarium? Even when he was feeling good he never flipped up out of his water.
Since he's been sick I've had him in a 1/2 gallon aquarium so I could easily change his water everyday. I did have it filled to about 1-1/2" from the top, but it's one of those oval shaped bowls, flat on the sides, with a fairly small opening at the top. Did I have it filled too full?
I'm totally devastated.

[Spanish Queen]

ohhhhh. poor guy. I don't think anyone REALLY knows why they jump. Maybe he saw something interesting up there and wanted to check it out. Perhaps he thought he was in nature, and decided this new home was not as good as the old one and wanted back (where he could flip around until he found some more water, you have seen pics of rice patties, haven't you?)

I guess now you can get a new fish. I would suggest a fishless cycle if your normal tank is big enough - at least 5 galls.
Here is a link with the information:
http://www.aquahobby.com/tips/fishless.html

Good luck in future fish adventures!!

Jenn