Who Gives A Fish Forums

I recently found this spot on my betta and I'm pretty sure it's ick. I've already used the API liquid super ick cure - both doses, as directed. Come Wednesday, I'll do a water change and put the carbon filters back in. I just want to confirm this is indeed ick and I'm treating him for the right issue. He's still eating and swimming normally, which is good, I guess. Being my first betta, I'm still figuring things out.

That's not ich. It's more likely a fungal infection, internal parasite, or possibly a tumor. @coltin should be able to help you with this.

Can you point out exactly where the spot is? I'm having trouble finding it.

juicebox wrote: ↑Wed Aug 06, 2025 7:51 am Can you point out exactly where the spot is? I'm having trouble finding it.

I've added a picture with the spot circled now.

Definitely not ich, that's way too big for ich. Ich is those tiny white dots that look like salt or sugar. That looks more like a bacterial infection to me.

juicebox wrote: ↑Wed Aug 06, 2025 7:51 am Can you point out exactly where the spot is? I'm having trouble finding it.

Do you have any suggestions on what I could use to treat it, or any other steps I could take to help my betta?

You can try adding some aquarium salt, it's really good for sick fish, I swear by it. For the bacterial infection, I'd recommend treating it with Melafix, just follow the instructions on the packaging. If that doesn't work, you could try using a broad spectrum antibiotic in the tank.

finchkeeper wrote: ↑Wed Aug 06, 2025 11:32 am You can try adding some aquarium salt, it's really good for sick fish, I swear by it. For the bacterial infection, I'd recommend treating it with Melafix, just follow the instructions on the packaging. If that doesn't work, you could try using a broad spectrum antibiotic in the tank.

I'll give that a shot. Thanks for the advice!

I'd advise against using Melafix. It contains oil that can be really bad for bettas - can even suffocate them or cause serious harm.

I looked into treatments before getting my betta and found that Bettafix and Melafix can actually harm them. The oil in these products can damage their labyrinth organ, which is crucial for air intake. Sticking with aquarium salt is a safer option, just be sure to follow the instructions.