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- Get to know your Betta fish a little more
- Mouth fungi
- dropsy
- Torn tail fin
- ICH or white spot disease
- Septicemia
Betta, also known as Siamese fighting fish, are small fish with a lot of personality that many people want because of their beautiful and vibrant colors.
If the aquarium they are in is kept in the best condition, clean and fresh, the Betta can live longer and be happier. However, if the space is not suitable for healthy living, Bettas often develop parasitic, fungal or bacterial diseases.
If you have a beautiful Betta fish at home and you are interested in knowing more about this species, continue reading this PeritoAnimal article where we will show you the most common diseases in Betta fish.
Get to know your Betta fish a little more
Most diseases Betta fish suffer can prevent just have a nice clean environment and treat yourself with antibiotics and aquarium salt. Try to get to know your fish from the first day you bring it home. Observe your behavior when you are in great condition, this way, if you get sick and the physical symptoms don't appear, you can identify if something is not right, because your behavior will certainly change.
A good time to do this is when cleaning the aquarium and when feeding it. If your fish is sick you won't want to eat as much or you won't want to do it at all.
Mouth fungi
The fungus in the mouth is a bacterium which, by itself, grows in aquariums and lakes. It is a bacteria that can be both beneficial and harmful. When a Betta suffers from this disease, physically, it starts to show "cotton or gauze" stains in the gills, mouth and fins throughout the body.
This problem is caused when the animal's habitat conditions are not appropriate or stressful (overcrowding or little space) and little circulation of new and clean water.
dropsy
It is not considered a disease as such, but a manifestation of poor internal or degenerative state of fish, present by other conditions such as swelling and accumulation of fluid in the liver and kidney.
can be caused by parasites, viruses, malnutrition and bacteria. Hydrops is severe and visible because the abdominal area is clearly inflamed and some parts of the body have raised scales.
Other symptoms are poor appetite and constant need to surface to receive oxygen. It's a disease that could be contagious to other aquarium members, but in most cases it isn't.
Torn tail fin
This is undoubtedly one of the most common diseases of Betta fish, with hundreds of cases reporting its appearance. Its long fins are susceptible to poor water quality, although it appears that the Betta bites its own tail out of boredom or stress. In addition to the drastic change in the condition of the tail, which can be clearly seen torn, the animal may have weakness, strange white spots, black and red edges along the affected area.
Don't worry because with a treatment, based practically on changing the water daily and checking its source, your Betta's tail will grow back. Don't let the symptoms progress, as the rot could eat up other skin tissues and go from being a treatable problem to a deadly disease.
ICH or white spot disease
Quite common, caused by the presence of a parasite that needs the Betta's body to stay alive. Its symptoms start by changing the animal's behavior. Yours will be very dull, sometimes nervous and rub your body to the aquarium walls. Then it's when the white dots all over the body. These spots are just cysts that surround the parasites.
If the disease is not treated, the fish can die of suffocation, because with so much anxiety, the heart rhythm is altered. Salt water baths, medications and even thermotherapy are some of the treatments used.
Septicemia
Sepsis is a disease non-contagious caused by bacteria and derived from stress caused by factors such as overcrowding, sudden changes in water temperature, arrival of new fish in the aquarium, poor food condition or wounds of any kind. It is diagnosed by the presence of red marks like blood all over the Betta's body.
The most typical treatments for this disease are putting antibiotics in water, which are then absorbed by the fish. Antibiotics should be used sparingly. It is best to ask your veterinarian before applying them so that they can recommend the most appropriate dose.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.