Betta: Scales getting white + disappearing fins

Question
Hello,

I bought a blue betta last christmas, and it was doing pretty good. It does not act sick, is always eager to eat, and doesn't seem to be attacked by the other fish (he's the aggressive one actually). About a month ago, I noticed that the area around his dorsal fin was getting white. At first, it looked like a growth, but it seems like the scales are getting white, and the fin is almost gone. He's always near the surface of the water, and I think that he has trouble swimming down, although if he stays near the surface, he can swim just fine.
What do you think is happening to him?

Thanks!

Joanna.

Answer
Hello Joanna-

This might be a columnaris infection, if the white area forms a patch on the body near the dorsal fin. To treat columnaris, you can do what I do - Using your finger, lure your betta up to the surface, then place a drop of QuickCure (a fish medicine) on the affected area. The betta probably won't like it, but it will kill off any bacteria growing there within one or two treatments. This treatment should also work with other infections, and adding some Melafix and aquarium salt will help the damaged tissue grow back.

Hope this is useful,
Amber Worman