Betta Fish Diseases and possible cures

Betta fish (or betta) is a miniature fish type of gourami family. Bettas are known as Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens, or fighter. There are about 63 scientifically known species of these fish. Bettas live in freshwater. Although these creatures are small taking care after them is not as easy as one may imagine at first. If proper conditions of water and food are not provided they may easily become ill and die. The article provides the most important information on Betta fish diseases, their symptoms and the required emergency action.

Generally betta fish diseases are triggered either by bacteria, parasites, or environment. However a sterile tank will do no good to the fish as various bacteria should naturally live there. The fish may be affected by the bacteria only when betta’s immune system is low or the fish is stressed. Like other diseases this may easily bring the fish to fatal outcome. Parasites live by means of other living organisms. Thus some of the parasites (including Oödinium) that are stuck to the fish may one day infect them.

The following are the common betta fish diseases: a) Unionized Ammonia (NH3); b) Nitrite Poisoning; and c) Flexibacter columnaris (Cotton-Wool, Cotton-Mouth, Mouth Fungus). The first two are environmental the latter is a bacterial disease.

a) Occurs when the fish is put in the new aquarium, many new fish are added to the tank, failed filter, etc. Symptoms: betta becomes lethargic, tends for bottom or gasps to the water surface for breath, gills and fins become reddish. Action: decrease the water pH below 7.0, replace up to half of water in the tank with the aged one, add neutralizing ammonia chemical (for example AmQuel), feed little.

b) Occurs usually as nitrite contamination after ammonia disease. Symptoms: fish strive for more air (oxygen), gills move fast and are brownish. Action: change water, add chlorine salt, increase water saturation, feed little, test the amount of nitrite regularly till it is back to normal.

c) Occurs when shipped, not diversified food, poor water quality, in stress. Symptoms: fins, scales, and mouth edges have white spots; fins become corroded inward, fungus appear on skin, etc. Action: change water, add gravel and special salt, quit carbon filtration, Terramycin might be needed.

The other most common betta fish disease is constipation. To cure or prevent it prepare a special meal for your bettas. Recipe: cook pea till it becomes well squishy. Then peel and split it into tiny portions and give it to the betas 3 times a day. Hence let them starve for the next 1 – 2 days. It has helped many fish.

Before buying bettas for yourself or your kids you should read about the fish specifics, tastes, diet, etc. You should know how to feed them. Betta fish requires little but diversified food and usually once in 1 – 2 days. Excessive food may kill them. The clean aquarium and water are the principal conditions for your bettas to lead a healthy and happy life. No food leftovers or fish spits should be left without your taking immediate action against them. Clean it at once. This fish have fragile organism and easily may become ill. Once the fish is ill they may easily die unless you make right emergency actions and save them. Sometimes disease has no signs and only when it is too late you may find out that the bettas are ill. Nevertheless the right strategy would be to practice preventive measures against Betta fish diseases.