Betta - Hectical/Hyperactive Behavior!

[GERGixxer]

Hey Guys,
First post here and I hope you guys can help me....

I got myself a Betta a couple of days ago and it's my first fish ever.
I bought the Fluval Edge 6G. I put Gravel and some live plants in, everything got washed before. Put conditioner in as well.

But the fish started acting kinda weird after 3 days and I got worried.
He would only swim from the left to the right, over and over, and then started going crazy, looked like he used all his force to ram himself down in the gravel.

I did water-changes so the ammonia wouldn't get too high but finally decided to take him out. Now he is just in a big glass of mine until I figure out what to do next. I think about a fishless-tank-cycle checking ammonia etc. Now he does the same thing in the glass.

But please take a look at the video to let me know if that kind of behaviour is somewhat normal. Also, I think some of the skin around the gills looks scraped off, can't remember if it looked like that when I got him....

VIDEO





Damn, I guess every beginning is tough

Thanks guys!

[1fish2fish]

What he is doing is called "flashing".. its a common behavior in fish that have parasites. Look into some anti-parasitic medication and treat as directed.

Soaking his pellets in fresh crushed garlic will also help because garlic is a natural anti-parasitic.

[GERGixxer]

THANKS!
So I guess these are "ICH"/"ICK"-Parasites?! Is that what "flashing" is for, trying to "escape" the parasites, rubbing against things....

[Lion Mom]

Yes - the Ich makes him itchy so he is trying to scratch by flashing.

Poor guy looks just MISERABLE!!!!

Do you have a heater for him? If not, I strongly suggest you get him one.

[Ajones108]

I think it's a good thing that he put him in the glass, that sort of fish movement in a tank with gravel and even silk plants could be... Dangerous...

I recommend getting a large rubbermaid storage bin at wal-mart, one of the 4-gallon ones that are like $4 bucks and get some malachite green to aid in the removal of ich.

Boy that parasite looks nasty... I hope my fish never get it...

[GERGixxer]

MISERABLE? How can you see that? Can you see the parasite? Damn, I'm freakin out here folks

My room-temp keeps the temp at a constant 79-82F wanted to invest in a heater soon (Hydor Mini 15W)

I just got the Betta Revive Medicine. Put one drop in the glass....also food soaked in garlic....

[GERGixxer]

Do you think the 6G tank is also effected with the parasite now? It is now in the cycling period but I am afraid the parasite might still be in there...

[Lion Mom]

Actually, no, I can't see the parasite. If he has Ich, he should have salt like white spots on him. There may be a lot or there may be just a few.

Yes, he looks miserable, IMO. He wouldn't act like that if he wasn't. :(

[Alex09]

Hope he gets better soon. He's such a beauty! As for your tank I wouldnt risk it. I would take EVERYTHING out and clean it with HOT water. You might use (a little) bleach so long as you rinse very well. Otherwise you may also use aquarium salt.

[1fish2fish]

I think he might have internal parasites or parasites in his gills. I don't think betta revive will help. I'm not sure what the best medication for parasites is. Maybe Bettaslave or Oldfishlady will chime in. I know bettaslave has dealt with parasites numerous times.