How to treat Betta fish parasites

[folkset]

I noticed my betta has white spots on its fins and body, and it's scratching against the tank decor. What's the best way to treat this? Tank is 5 gallons, heated to 78F, and I do weekly water changes.

[wavy_b]

Sounds like ich. You'll need to raise the temp to 86F gradually over 48 hours and add aquarium salt (1 tsp per gallon). Keep it there for 10 days. Also, dose with an ich med like Kordon Rid Ich. Make sure to remove any carbon from your filter.

[spance]

Sounds like ich. You'll need to raise the temp to 86F gradually over 48 hours and add aquarium salt (1 tsp per gallon). Keep it there for 10 days. Also, dose with an ich med like Kordon Rid Ich. Make sure to remove any carbon from your filter.

Yep, this is solid advice. I'd also recommend turning off the lights during treatment, as some meds can degrade faster under light. And keep an eye on your fish's breathing, higher temps lower oxygen levels.

[Kazuri]

If it's not ich, could be velvet. Look for a gold or rust-colored dust on the body. For velvet, you'll need copper-based meds like Cupramine. But be careful, copper can mess with inverts if you have any in the tank.

[lordix]

I've had success with Paraguard for mild parasite cases. It's gentle and works for a range of issues. Just follow the dosage instructions and keep up with water changes. How's your betta acting aside from the scratching?

[folkset]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try raising the temp and using aquarium salt first. He's still eating but seems less active than usual.

[vague]

Less activity is common with parasites. Make sure you're not overfeeding during treatment, as uneaten food can worsen water quality. What's your current feeding routine?

[flavormix]

I swear by garlic guard soaked pellets when treating parasites. It boosts their immune system and makes meds more effective. Just a drop or two on their food before feeding.

[mikebank]

My dude had ich last year, and the salt trick worked like a charm. Just make sure you dissolve it in tank water before adding, don't just dump it in.

[jazlyn]

How often should I do water changes during treatment? I've heard mixed things about whether to change water or not.