How to Treat a Sick Betta Fish

How to Treat a Sick Betta Fish. For the most part, betta fish are one of the easiest pets to own. There are no filters to mess with, they only eat once per day and can live to their normal life expectancies with regular care. However, betta fish can get sick. Depending on what the ailment is, there are a few things you can do to treat a sick betta fish.

Step 1

Recognize what's wrong with your betta fish. Know when it's healthy, and look for any signs or symptoms that might indicate a sick betta fish. Note changes in appetite, color or behavior.

Step 2

Isolate the sick betta, if you have other fish. Place it in a separate bowl or jar. Use the same water so as not to shock the fish with an abrupt water temperature change. Isolating the sick betta fish also makes it easier to administer its medication.

Step 3

Clean the fish bowl regularly. Many betta fish diseases are caused by poor water conditions, such as bacteria in the water. Remove the betta with a fish net, thoroughly clean the bowl and any accessories you might have added, treat the new water with a neutralizer (such as AmOuel), refill the bowl and place the fish back into the clean bowl.

Step 4

Diagnose the illness. Consult books and websites such as Bettatalk that list common betta fish diseases, their symptoms and treatments. Choose the correct remedy for your fish.

Step 5

Administer proper doses of antibiotics, if necessary. These are available at most pet stores. In some cases, other actions can help such as cleaning the tank, adding a small amount of salt to the water or raising the water temperature slightly to speed up treatment.

Warnings

• Keep a betta fish first aid kit on hand, including antibiotics. This ensures that you can start treatment immediately upon recognizing any signs of illness.
• Use a turkey baster to remove any food particles that settle to the bottom of the bowl.

Warnings

• Don't overmedicate your betta fish.