betta lip discoloration/fungus

Question
QUESTION: Lynda, my 3 years old betta - Ramon -  is developing a pinkish white thing on his lower lip. it is not a bulge or a pimple but rather a discoloration or a small thing growing in his mouth - probably fungus. he seems to be ok for now but i would like ot help my little friend as soon as possible. i have taken a photo of his mouth but i do not know how to post it on here.
he lives in a 2 pint glass bowl. with some pebbles and a real plant that has roots where he likes to play.  i use clean water with splendid betta conditioner, and change it every 2 weeks. i also have bettafix, of which i started applying 2 drops daily since i felt the requested dosage was too strong. also some people have suggested adding salt.
please let me know what i should do.
thanks.

AT

ANSWER: Hello,
Ramon has mouth fungus.  You will have to change all the water in his bowl.  Clean the pebbles, and you might lose your plant.  "Kanamycin" is a very good antibiotic, which he needs right now.  If you cannot find "Kanamycin" buy "Tetracycline" or "Furan 2."
He needs a good antibiotic.  Bettafix will not cure this.  Mouth fungus spreads fast, and must be treated quickly.  If left untreated, it will eat at his whole face, and then he will die.  It's a horrible death.  Adding 1/2 teaspoon of diluted aquarium salt will help, but it is not a cure.  Be careful not to overdose.  Ask the seller for the right amount.  Bettas in small bowls are hard to cure.  
I would like to mention that a Betta should have water changes every week, and twice a week in a 2 pint bowl.  There is really no room for him to swim, and a live plant takes up lots of space.  If you intend on keeping him, you will have to house the plant somewhere else as it is taking up oxygen, and space that the Betta badly needs.  You could put in a small silk plant..if you intend on keeping him in this bowl.
Fungus is caused by poor water contitions.  Check to see if you have nitrates or ammonia in your water.  I am confident that you do.  You will have to change all the water.  A 2 pint bowl is very small for a betta.  He should have at least 5 gallons of water to be healthy, and happy.  In their habitat, his water may be shallow, but they have lots of room to swim.  When kept in small containers, they do get sick, and their lives are shortened.  This is no fault of your own, but the fault of Vendors who tell customers that Bettas can live in small containers, and eat only bloodworms.  They are money making machines, and it just makes me so angry.  Betta are also tropical fish, and are cold in water under 80 degrees.  They are very hard to cure in such little water, but I hope he will make it as I know how attached we get to our bettas.  If you ever do bring up the temperature of his water, do this very very slowly.  One degree every two days, as bringing up temperature too fast would cause death.
I added more information, and I hope it helps you understand your friend a little more.  Please do not think that I am aiming at you.  I get so many letters from people who have been given the wrong information, and have lost their pet.  Many diseases could have been avoided if they had known at the time.  Like I mentioned above, we do get very attached to our Bettas, and when they die, we feel so bad.  Betta can live up to 8 years when treated well.  Of course we do not know their age when we buy them, but if they are young, they can live for quite a long time.
If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to write me.
I love them, and breed them, and know what is good for them.  
Lynda

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QUESTION: thanks a lot - i will get him the antibiotic. i will also get him a larger space. are the small aquariums with filters and lights a good idea? or bettas do not like them?

ANSWER: Hi!
No, those small tanks should be off the market...it will cost you about the same price for a 5 gallon.  Bettas do not like lights.  They prefer the light of day.  Lights sometimes heat up the water of the tank, and then when we turn the lights off, the heat goes down causing fluctuating water heat which is very bad for fish.  You would find a 5 gallon tank at Walmart or Zellers.  They are cheaper than the Pet Store.  They also sell gravel, and things for fish.  You do not need a filter with a betta.  You will have to change his water every week.  A five gallon is not hard to change, and I do not see the need for a filter.  It is up to you.  If you would rather have a filter, they also sell them at Walmart, and Zellers.  With a filter, you will have to do water changes of 30-40% every week.  Remember to put him in the same temperature water he is in now.  Be extremely careful when heating his water....one degree every two days.  He will be in heaven!!
Lynda

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QUESTION: ok i will do that,
one last question. i found in my pharmacy Binox and Aquarisol. for fish. are they any good or should i trash them out? thanks.

Answer
Hello,
Binox, if not outdated could be used for fungus.  Try it, and see if it helps.  It is good medication.
Aquarisol is one of my favourites.  It helps fish when they are stressed, and adding aquarisol to the water also helps to eliminate parasites.  In a five gallon tank, I add 6 drops when I change all the water of my tank.  It is always good to have.  However don't mix it with other medication.  Never use it with snails.
Lynda