Betta fungus

Question
Hi Karen,

I have a generally happy and healthy betta fish.  I change his water once or twice a week and keep the temperature in his small bowl 80-85 degrees with a lamp.  

Everything has been going smoothly until last week I noticed that his bubblenest had green bubbles.  I changed the water and everything was fine.  Then this morning I got up and there was algae everywhere ... all over the sides of the bowl and on the stones and floating in the water.  I don't normally do complete water changes, but it seemed necessary, so I did so right away.  After that, he has been very lethargic, won't eat, and has some grayish white "fuzziness" on his face and fins.  From what I've read, it sounds like fungus, but I'm not sure.  He was acting fine, despite the algae, before the water change, so perhaps he is in shock?  What to do?

Thanks,
Christy


Answer
Hello Christy,
He may have been put into shock and stressed out by the complete water change you did. Not that complete water changes are bad for fish. But perhaps if the water temperature of the replacement water was a bit colder than his cozy 80F this could have certainly stressed him. This is especially explains why he hasn't ever had trouble before when you just did a partial water change. Any rapid change in water chemistry or temperature can harm any fish.

I'm sorry to hear about your betta. I quite certain from what you've described he has fungus. This type of illness is caused by dirty conditions, or a rapid stress factor, or even injuries to his fins or body. As long as you catch it early, you can treat it quite easily and usually most bettas recover and go back to their healthy self.
Treatment should include--yes, plenty of water changes...Perhaps 100% every day to every other day. If you feel it might be stressing him with 100% everyday. Simply change only half of his water everyday. Keeping his water clean and free from pollution is extremely important especially when treating for an illness. Really make sure his replacement water is equal to that in temperature as his bowl is with an aquarium thermometer and always dechlorinate it as you probably already know.
Make sure when cleaning his bowl, that no food or accumulated waste builds up on the bottom or in the gravel.
Along with plenty of good water changes, try treating him with MARDEL'S 'Maroxy' medication. You should be able to easily find this in your local fishstore. Dosing a small bowl can be difficult. But I have had good luck in using dosages at 1 Drop per gallon and then when doing a 100% water change mix the 1 drop of medication in a 1 gal pitcher and then fill his bowl with as much water as it will hold. This has worked out reasonably well for me.
Or you may also want to go the natural approach with Tea tree oil medications. Commonly called "Melafix" this is an all-natural medication made from the leaves of the tea tree oil in australia. 10 Drops per gallon works fine. Pimafix is also similiar to Melafix and is effective for early caught illnesses and can be used in combination of melafix for a double dose to fight the illness. This won't harm your betta however.
Treat for the whole period, even if he looks better. Just to be sure. And go the extending period for the Melafix/Pimafix combo if he still has symtoms.
Sometimes adding aquarium salt is also beneficial. I prefer half doses.
* Continue to keep his water warm, change it very frequently!! and try the Mardel Medication. There are other medications on the market that are for fungus infections but I have just found that Mardel is a reliable brand.

~Your algae problem must be an indicator you need to change your water more frequently and/or there is too much light. Changing the water should help wonders-- I wouldn't want your betta to get cold from having to turn the lamp off.

Well, I really hope this helps!
My very best wishes for you and your betta!
Let me know if you have anymore questions or concerns about him...

Happy fishkeeping!
Karen~