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Maracyn Dosing

23 15:25:47

Question
Hi! I got a red HM betta about 2 weeks ago, and have been struggling with him a bit since. His tail/fins looked ragged and blackish at the edges, so I suspected fin rot and did 1 tsp aquarium salt in his tank for 10 days. It didn't seem to help, and 2 days ago I noticed a white/gray patch on either side of his face (close to the edges of his "gills"). The patch isn't fuzzy or anything though. I thought maybe that symptom, in addition to the fin disintegration, might point to the beginnings of columnaris or something.

He's in a 1 gal unfiltered tank with a small heater that keeps temperatures around 76ish. There is a small plant, also. I've been doing daily 100% water changes to attempt to clear up what I at first thought was fin rot. He's refused to eat pellets since I bought him, so he's been eating frozen bloodworms so far (I thought i'd keep him on worms until he's completely over this fin/face stuff, then start the please-eat-pellets battle lol.) He is pretty active, swims around, fins aren't clamped or anything.

So here is my question, haha. I went and bought Maracyn 1 and 2 yesterday, but am not sure how to dose him on it. I think I should use both at once? I'm not really sure how to dose for a 1 gal tank with 100% changes everyday (I don't want to risk ammonia levels rising). I'm thinking: dilute dosages of both into water (that would be for 10 gal) and put in 1/10 the first day, 2/10 the second day after a 100% change, 3/10 the third day after another change, etc., until the fifth day. If i'm not mistaken, since the water gets changed everyday I have to re-add the last dosage's worth. Does that sound like an okay thing to do?

Answer
Percy.
One gallon is not big enough for a Betta. The absolute smallest tank is 2.5 gallons where a 5 gallon is best. Before adding the medication try a salt water bath given to him twice a day. You dissolve 1 teaspoon aquarium salt in 1 gallon of water. make sure the salt water is the same temperature as the water he is swimming in. Once the salt has been dissolved, place him in that water for a couple of minutes once in the morning and one in the evening. Always make fresh salt water each time and never use the same water twice. This is what I do with mine if ever I have a problem. I have never used medications in my tanks. I would also make sure his water is at 80 degrees at all times. I have to say that you stumped me with your question. I think in theory it should work, but the water going into his tank has to be the same temp as the water he is in. Also, doing daily water changes of 100% will stress the fish and bring on a whole new group of problems. Before trying the meds, give the salt water baths a try and also if you can get him a larger home and make sure the water is at 80 degrees.