Betta has small white patch on dorsal area ... What is it?

[PurpleMonkey]

Hi, I noticed my betta has developed a small (about 1 cm long, 2-4 mm wide) white patch on his dorsal surface just by his gill flap (posterior to his operculum?)

pH is 7, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 0 nitrate. Don't know kH or GH but I do put in about a spoon of IO salt for every gallon. He is currently in a 6.6g Fluval Edge with AC20.

Any ideas?

MJ - my betta | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Morainy]

Hi PurpleMonkey.... I couldn't tell by your photo, maybe it's nothing, but your description sounds like a bit of fungus. Maybe it will go away after a few water changes.

Here's a link to a site that's pretty good for describing betta diseases. Scroll down past the first bit and you'll find photos, symptoms and suggested treatments.

betta diseases

[fuzzysocks]

Can you describe the patch a little bit more? Is it fluffy/cottony and raised away from his skin, or is the skin itself white? If the skin itself is white and lacking scales, it might be something as simple as a minor injury which will heal itself given time and clean water.

By the way, have you done anything to reduce the flow on the AC20? The current an AC20 produces might be a little difficult for a betta to handle, causing it to get stressed.

Regardless, good luck, and keep us updated!

[roadrunner]

It sounds like fungus, but it's hard to tell from the picture. Your betta looks stressed. I was wondering how often and how much water do you change, also what is the temperature of the water? Please note, longterm use of salt is not recommended.

[PurpleMonkey]

So, after closer inspection, the white patch does appear fluffy which makes it fungal I guess. I looked at some more pictures online and I'm pretty sure it is fungus.

So what are my treatment options/protocols?
- I have searched, but I want your opinions please
- He is the sole inhabitant of the tank


AC20 - to reduce flow I have replaced the sponge with filter floss (blue backed) and put another piece by the outlet. He doesn't appear to have any issues swimming but I was planning on swinging by Ikea to grab some bamboo that I plan on using to disrupt the flow. Sounds like a good idea?

Prior to the betta being put in the edge (about 2 days ago), he was in a 1/2g marina betta tank. I changed his water (95%) 1-2x a week, using treated tap water. Tank was kept at room temperature (18-20). The tank he is in now is heated and is 22ish degrees (I had the new tank at same temperature, and slowly raised it after the betta was put in).

I was out of town for about a month and my fish keeper changed his water (2x week, rodi, 50%). He looked fine when I got back but I'll admit he wasn't getting the usual love and affection over the holidays and thats when I noticed the patch. He had also stopped eating and wasn't behaving like himself. I immediately did a wc (adding salt because I read that it helped them fight off infections) and he started eating about 2 days after the first wc.

Now that he is in the edge, I have done a 2.5g wc, and my plans are 2.5g a week [2.5g because I have 2.5g buckets and that makes it easy... easy=I won't put it off ] And to clarify, I have only put 1 spoon of salt in for the 6g of water in the edge (to help compensate for Vancouver's water).

Any feedback? I know that I shouldn't have let my wc schedule slide but life happened, I feel like shit for stressing out my little buddy, I just want to get him back to health and happiness.

Why isn't longterm use of salt recommended? Just curious

[Morainy]

Hi PurpleMonkey,

Did you follow the link in my first response to the betta diseases and treatment? There are some treatment options there.

I think your betta will recover fully, possibly just with water changes. Is it possible that he's just rubbing his back on the top of the Edge, not realizing that it's covered in most places as he comes up for air? Maybe he'll get used to his new tank.

There are a variety of easy to use treatments available, if you decide to treat him.

From Aquariums West right now, you can get Seachem Polyguard. It's a small tube with powder and a miniature scoop in it, that treats fungus, bacterial and parasite infections. It's not super strong and can be used when introducing new fish to the tank. They also have a bunch of treatments specifically for bettas, and I don't know exactly what they are, but you can call them.

From Big Als, I think, you can get Lifeguard by Tetra or Jungle. Those are dissolving tablets. As well, they are for a broad range of infections. They may be available at PetSmart (give them a call). If you go on their online site, you'll find lots of different medications.

There's something called Fungus Eliminator by Jungle and it's directed specifically against fungus, but I can't remember who sells it. Maybe IPU or April?

However, it's possible that he'll recover just with good water changes. Since he stopped eating, though, I think it's worth treating him. Good luck!

[PurpleMonkey]

Just to clarify, he is eating atm

[Scherb]

Hello. fist off, water change once a week is plenty for a healthy Betta. for treating your Betta you could get a product called Betta Fix, this will cure most ailments of the Betta. also are you using Betta water conditioner when you do water changes ? i know some people just use regular water conditioner but the Betta water conditioner is best for them. and i also use a pinch of salt. for my two Betta and the three i care for. Hope that helps. Cheers

[Morainy]

Well, if he's eating and looking better, maybe just keeping up the water changes will be enough. What do you think?

Just to clarify, he is eating atm

[PurpleMonkey]

Well I am just going to stay on top of the WC's and see what happens... I am gonna swing by Aq West to grab the Seachem Polyguard so I have it on hand if it looks like he isn't going to make it