Betta fish is an increasingly popular choice for aquarium fish, and it is rightfully so owing to its vibrant colors and showy appearance. Besides being in demand, betta fish are also susceptible to various diseases and ailments. Here, we will discuss the most common betta fish diseases and possible treatments.
Betta fish are not that hardy a fish and are highly vulnerable to various betta fish diseases. However, most of these diseases are easily treatable and detectable. There are a few diseases, if not spotted in the early stages, that may prove to be fatal for your betta fish. Among the most common ones include fin rot, swim bladder disease, velvet, constipation, betta fish cotton wool disease, etc. Modes of identification and treatment vary from disease to disease.
Common Betta Fish Diseases: Causes & Treatment
As betta fish are quite vulnerable to betta fish skin disease, you should take extreme care of your betta fish and periodically check up on the betta fish. There may be a variety of causes that may affect your betta fish. Depending on the cause, a suitable mode of treatment may be adopted.
There are a host of different betta fish diseases that may affect your betta fish. These ailments differ in the degree of seriousness, mode of treatment, symptoms, causes, etc. We will discuss some of the most common betta fish diseases that a betta fish may suffer from during the course of its lifetime, like betta fish diseases, columnaris, dropsy disease betta fish, betta fish graphite disease, etc.
Fin Rot
The causes, symptoms, and different modes of treatment of fin rot are as follows.
Symptoms
The symptoms of fin rot in betta fish are very easily identifiable, and you should make sure to spot these symptoms as soon as possible to limit the spread of the infection. The most prominent sign of fin rot is weathered and red pigmentation of the betta fins.
The ends of the betta fins appear to be bloody and weathered. This rash, if not identified and treated as soon as possible, can also spread to the body of the betta fish. In extreme cases, betta fin rot may also lead to lethargy and loss of appetite.
Causes
Water conditions such as the water temperature, water pH level, overall quality, etc., are of the utmost importance in maintaining the health and safety of the betta fish. Any irregularity and discrepancies in the water parameters may lead to the development of fin rot in betta fish.
Treatment
Determining the root cause for the development of fin rot in betta fish is essential as the mode of treatment depends on the nature of the cause. Some effective methods of treating fin rot in betta fish include conducting periodical water changes, checking the water conditions regularly, and introducing medications in the form of water conditioners.
Feeding a balanced diet to your betta fish with an optimum amount of nutrition also goes a long way in improving the condition of your betta fish. To improve the water quality, you may also consider adding aquarium salt to the tank water.
Velvet
Following are the symptoms, causes, and modes of treatment for velvet in betta fish.
Symptoms
Among other common betta fish diseases and slime diseases betta fish that may affect your betta fish is velvet. As the name suggests, this ailment gives your betta fish a rusty color accompanied by clamped fins and lethargy. Loss of appetite and difficulty breathing are other visible symptoms of velvet in betta fish.
Causes
Velvet is caused by Oodinium pillularis, which attaches itself to the body of the betta fish. Even though symptoms include visible yellow spots over the betta fish’s body, these spots are not seen until it is too late. Thus, it is important to look for even the slightest of signs that may suggest that your betta fish is suffering from velvet.
The presence of the Oodinium parasite can be justified by the improper quality of water, discrepancies in water parameters, and inadequate tank conditions. Velvet is a common yet fatal disease that may affect your betta fish if the required living conditions are not met adequately.
Treatment
Even though velvet is hard to detect during its initial stages, some ways of treatment may be adopted to keep the spread of the disease under control. For instance, treating the tank water with copper sulfate for 2 weeks can reduce the effect of the parasite.
Similarly, adding aquarium salt adds to the immunity of the betta fish. Raising the water temperature to optimum degrees and proper conditioning of the water are also preferred modes of treatment for velvet in betta fish.
Swim Bladder Disease
Symptoms
As the name suggests, the swim bladder disease affects the swim bladder of a betta fish. The swim bladder helps in maintaining the lateral balance and buoyancy of the betta fish while swimming. Any ailment or illness that may affect the swim bladder of the betta fish will transitively affect the betta’s balance.
The symptoms of the swim bladder disease in betta fish are quite evident. For instance, if you see your betta fish facing difficulty swimming upright, or you notice your betta fish floating upside down or having little control over its movements, or betta fish diseases bloated belly, then there is a high chance that your betta fish is suffering from swim bladder disease.
Causes
The most common reason behind swim bladder disease in betta fish is constipation or overfeeding. Overfeeding your betta fish directly affects the swim bladder. Other than being overfed, low water temperature, bacterial and parasitic infections, and stressful water conditions can also cause swim bladder disease.
Treatment
Treating swim bladder disease is an easy task. If overfeeding is the reason behind the swim bladder disease, then putting your betta fish on a 3-day diet will definitely prove to be effective. Additionally, you can draw an Epsom salt bath for your constipated betta fish if that is the case. Other than this, you must ensure proper water conditioning and optimum water parameter levels.
FAQs On Betta Fish Diseases
Is my betta fish dying?
Some signs of betta fish dying include:
– Fin and body color appear to be faded
– Clamped fins
– Lethargy
– Loss of appetite
– Breathing problems
What are some common betta fish diseases?
Some of the more common betta fish diseases include:
– Swim bladder disease
– Ich
– Velvet
– Fin rot
– White spot disease
How do you treat a sick betta?
There are many betta fish diseases that may affect your betta fish. Depending on the nature and cause of these betta fish diseases, there are several modes of treatment, including water changes, medication, conditioning, quarantining, etc.
Can humans get diseases from betta fish?
Not particularly. There is a low chance of humans getting affected by a betta fish suffering from an illness. However, you should be mindful and start treatment immediately if your betta fish is ill.
Final Thoughts
Betta fish is susceptible to various kinds of betta fish diseases, including velvet, fin rot, ammonia poisoning, ich, swim bladder disease, and so on. Each disease has its own set of causes, symptoms, and treatments. Make sure to look for the symptoms as soon as possible and start treatment immediately.
