More sick Bettas

Question
QUESTION: Dear Lynda, I have 4 betta fish that live in relatively small tanks (.5 gallons). I noticed last week that one fish has really lost a lot of his beautiful colour and his fins look like they are "stuck together". He has taken to wedging his head or body inbetween the glass rocks at the bottom of the tank and resting like that for hours. He is eating pellets and blood worms just fine. I don't see white cottony tufts on him but he does have some sort of coating on his body- I can't tell what it is! Just this evening I noticed that the other 3 boys are looking funny and that their fins are starting to look "thin" - not relaxed and flowing! Their tanks are in my kitchen window (curtained so the sun doesn't change the water temp drastically, but they do get light). I change their water every week or more when I see a bit of debris on the bottom of the tanks, and I keep their water at about 74-76 F. What should be my next move- I don't want to lose them!

ANSWER: Hello,
Clamped fins, indicate parasites, and the loss of colour could be velvet.  It is very hard to determine the loss of colour, but if you see a yellowish, golden dusting like powder on him, then it is velvet.  Velvet is very catching.  You will find medication for velvet at you pet store if this is the case.
The loss of colour could also be stress.  When Bettas see each other, they are constantly stressed, and will get sick.
I will rule out old age as I am quite confident he has parasites.
 Have you checked his water to see if he has ammonia or nitrites in it.  Ammonia is the number one killer of fish.  In a 0.5 gallon bowl, the water should be changed twice a week without fail, always using a good water conditioner.  It could also be that he is cold.  Bettas are tropical fish, and should be kept in 80 degree water.  When bringing up the temperatures in a tank, this should always be done slowly.  One degree every two days.
Fluctuating water could also be a cause.  Fluctuating water temperature for fish is deadly
It could be his diet.  A betta should have a varied diet.  Betta pellets one day, Betta flakes the next, daphnia the next, and bloodworms once a week.  He should have one frozen cooked pea a week, with the first layer removed, and cut into little pieces.  The Betta should be fed the pea one piece at a time so that it does not fall to the bottom of the tank.  On the day he is fed the pea, he should have nothing else to eat.  This is to clean out his system, and prevent Swim Bladder Disease which is caused by constipation.
Feed your betta 2-3 small meals a day..Example:  Two pellets for one meal.  We must always remember that the Betta's tummy is the size of his eye.

Contrary to popular belief, the Betta should be kept in a 5 gallon tank which is heated.  In his habitat, the Betta's water may be shallow, but he has lots of room to swim.  The Betta is one of the most mistreated fish on the market.  The fault falls on the vendor who is there to make money, selling gadgets, and telling the customer that all the betta needs is a small bowl, and bloodworms.  This is not true.  Unfortunately, there are no laws to protect fish.
The customer goes home with a small bowl, and bloodworms thinking he/she has everything to make the betta happy.  Bettas kept in small bowls, vases, mirror tanks, etc. are very unhappy, and miserable.  Their lives are cut short, money is spent to save him, and eventually he dies.  This makes the person who has the betta very sad, as we get so attached to our bettas.  They are intelligent little fish, and should be treated with kindness.
If you have anymore questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I have bred the Betta, love them, and know what is best for them.
I hope the little man pulls through.
Lynda


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Lynda,
Thank you very much for all the information. My husband read another post where the individual took a flashlight to the fish- so we tried it too, and yes! there is some gold, dusty, metalic coating on all the boys! I will follow your instructions to the T! We have bought a couple of books on Bettas but they were commercial books that were not helpful at all. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge :)

Answer
You are very welcome Amy.  Coppersafe, and Maracyn-two combined would be the treatment I would choose to cure them.  Change all their water, keep them away from light, and medicate them for 10 days.  Hopefully, you will save the little guys.
Feel free to contact me anytime.
Lynda