Here are the symptoms of some common betta fish diseases you can use to try and identify what it is, that is making your betta sick. In most cases the greatest cause of a sick betta is poor water quality and I can't emphasize enough the importance of properly setting up your betta fish tank and maintaining it.
The ultimate Betta Fish care Guide
The ultimate betta fish care guide is an indepth and complete step by step manual that will show you everything you need to know about betta fish care. It was written for new owners and seasoned betta lovers a like. it reveals absolutely everything you need to know about having the most active, healthy and beautiful betta fish around. If you get only one guide on caring for betta's, you must get your hands on a copy of this simply amazing guide.
Click Here For The Ultimate Betta Fish Care Guide
Betta Fish Dropsy
There are two signs you should look for in diagnosing betta dropsy, The first is a bloated or unusually large belly. The second symptom to look for are raised scales,
To spot these when you look at your betta from a top side angle the scales will resemble an open pine cone type shape. The image below shows this condition. As you can see it is a very easy disease to recognize.
Betta fish dropsy is usually caused by bacteria that lodges in the body of the fish and affects the kidneys causing water retention in the body. Unless immediate treatment is administered, this condition can be fatal for your betta.
Fin Rot
This one of the most common diseases that affect betta fish and is rather easy to identify. The fins of your betta will have holes (pin type) in them and have a tattered worn appearance.
The cause is a bacterial infection usually from poor water conditions and lack of properly taking care of a betta fish. when seen in new betta's typically it is because the pet store didn't maintain proper tank conditions.
While fin rot in is not usually contagious, it is a good idea to isolate any fish that may have it to avoid others in the community from contracting the disease.
Symptoms of Fin rot
- Small pinholes located anywhere on the fins.
- thinner, more transparent looking fins.
- fraying and a worn appearance around the fin edges.
- Fins that seem to break off in large pieces
Fortunately this is an easy disease to treat, by making sure the water in your tank is in perfect condition and using aquarium salt. Be sure that ammonia, nitrite, and pH levels are at zero.
Septicimia
This is one of the worst betta fish diseases you can get and should be treated very seriously. It is an infection in the bloodstream that occurs through an open wound either through fighting with other fish or when you betta injures himself. It can also occur through bacteria in your bettas it is important to keep on top of betta fish care and make sure your water conditions especially clean as to not further aggravate the condition.
It usually manifests as redness under the scales and can be localized in one area or appear throughout the body. It may be hard to identify in red or dark colored fish Assuming you have corrected any water conditions that may hamper your betta's recovery, the open wounds will usually heal quickly. Other symptoms are loss of appetite, clamped fins, sluggishness and color loss.
More betta fish diseases
Ick – This is caused by parasites and often displays as small white dots on the body of your fish. Treatment is easy by simply adding adding salt to the aquarium water.
Other symptoms are your betta may stop eating start to rub against rocks and other objects to try and scratch the spots.
You should maintain a temperature 85 degrees F, and adding auarisol to the tank daily.
Popeye – This results in your fish’s eyes beginning to bulge and is caused mainly by dirty water, to prevent change the water and clean your tank While not pleasant to look at it fortunately this is not a serious illness and the majority of fish will fully recover after cleaning the aquarium and changing the water.
While no one likes to be faced with a sick betta fish the good news is that in most cases the majority of betta fish illnesses can be easily treated if acted upon quickly. In the majority of cases poor tank conditions are the cause and further health problems can avoided all together with proper tank setup and cleaning.
If you would like to know more about betta fish diseases, and how to properly treat and care for you betta Get The How To take Care Of A Betta Fish Guide
