Unknown sickness???

[soleilvie]

How can a Petco employee (assuming you asked someone working in the fish section) NOT know what that is?! I know, I know, most pet store employees are pathetic... but come on!

I hope you are able to get him back to health. Good luck!

[Oldfishlady]

Originally Posted by Mister Sparkle

Eff second opinions (with all due respect)!

That's velvet, and it's progressed to the point that you need to act NOW!

Step one: water change!

Step two: Increase temps in the aquarium by approx. 1-degree per hour, until you have them around 85!

Step three: Lights OUT! This is a bugger that THRIVES on light. Blackout conditions, as much as possible!

Step four: Maracide and S.T.A.T. on that! I've heard Coppersafe works, too...but i have no experience with it.

Step five: something anti-bacterial, for secondary infections. Tetracycline is a good one.

Step on it! This one is about the worst I've ever seen. When it's all said and done, regardless of outcome, you ought to be able to sell that picture to an authority on fish-care as the new "textbook" example of velvet.

I agree, velvet most likely and great shot too......

I only treat by natural methods but due to the advanced state I would go with OTC medication as posted by MS.....
Good luck...

Water mold ever present in water-Saprolegnia a water mold often mistaken for fungus and most often affect immunocompromised fish (stress, poor water quality, over crowded etc) antibiotic make it worse, salt treatment and fixing the underline problems are most effective. Symptoms-wasting, lethargic, cottony white, gray and/or green on body and/or fins

[Hyrulemaster]

Thank you all for the helpful insite! That was a picture I took of him a few weeks ago when I first saw this fungus. Since then the fungus has almost gone away completely! Leroy is eating and acting normally, but still has a little bit of velvet on him. I just need to know how to treat it from here! :) Thank you all!!

[Hyrulemaster]

Originally Posted by soleilvie

How can a Petco employee (assuming you asked someone working in the fish section) NOT know what that is?! I know, I know, most pet store employees are pathetic... but come on!

I hope you are able to get him back to health. Good luck!

I agree, I don't know why they didn't know how to help. : / They were even a fish specialist. They don't have any color pictures of velvet though, and it didn't come up on their list...I think it's mostly because when the Betta's get sick people they just bring them back or let them die (that is people that first time fish owners). But that's why I came to you guys for help! I figured that you guys could help me for sure! :D

[Sella]

YES! Good work Hyrulemaster!

[Hyrulemaster]

Originally Posted by Sella

YES! Good work Hyrulemaster!

^^ Thank you! I really couldn't have done it with out everyone's expert advice!

[Mister Sparkle]

Originally Posted by Hyrulemaster

Thank you all for the helpful insite! That was a picture I took of him a few weeks ago when I first saw this fungus. Since then the fungus has almost gone away completely! Leroy is eating and acting normally, but still has a little bit of velvet on him. I just need to know how to treat it from here! :) Thank you all!!

I would continue treating with the maracide until it is gone. I'm glad to hear he's doing better.