What is this stuff?

[lalalaura]

So earlier today I noticed my fish has white/greyish "fluff" like stuff all over his body and fins. I just noticed it today and it almost looks like dust. It just hangs off his body. I read on some other sites that it could be a fungus. Anyone know what this could be and how to cure it?

I was going to put my fish together in a divided 5.5 gal today but now I'm only going to put my new one until I resolve this problem.

Housing
What size is your tank? 1.5 gal
What temperature is your tank? 70F
Does your tank have a filter? No
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? No
Is your tank heated? No
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? None

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? Flakes and bloodworms
How often do you feed your betta fish? Once per day

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? Twice per week,
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? 50%/100%
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? Conditioner and aquarium salt

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters? No

Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
pH:
Hardness:
Alkalinity:

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? "Fluff like stuff on his body
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? Hasn't
When did you start noticing the symptoms? Today
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? No
Does your fish have any history of being ill? No, possible ammonia burns on his gills but I've been changing the water more to help that.
How old is your fish (approximately)? 1.5 years

[PitGurl]

Your water is way too cold. Bettas need warm water, they are tropical fish. The water should be around 78-80 degrees. You really need to get your betta a heater asap.

[lalalaura]

I have a heater for the new tank. I just don't want to put him in and risk getting my other fish sick. And I can't find the 7.5 watt heater anywhere.
He's lived over a year in that temp. water, I'm sure that isn't what is causing the fluff stuff all over him.

[KayDowson]

even if the cool temp isnt whats causing the "fluff" a warmer tank is goin to help him heal faster... also u dont want him in the same tank he should be in qt... add some aq salt to his qt tank and either put a heating pad under it on a low settin or use a small space heater and monitor his temp... if its not a gram neg or gram pos bac infection this should help

[KayDowson]

also i would say check ur paramaters... it could be somethin super simple/// and is he acting any differently (ie layin on the bottom of the tank. floating, rubbing against things, not as active, not eating, shaking)

[iheartmybettas]

It sounds like columnaris. I haven't had experience with it but have read some about it on the forum. I would PM OFL (Oldfishlady) and talk with her about what you should do or use the search function and find older threads about it. There are 2 forms, one is very deadly (can't be treated) and the other is slow moving (I think can be healed). Sorry I can't just tell you what needs to be done.

[lalalaura]

Originally Posted by iheartmybettas

It sounds like columnaris. I haven't had experience with it but have read some about it on the forum. I would PM OFL (Oldfishlady) and talk with her about what you should do or use the search function and find older threads about it. There are 2 forms, one is very deadly (can't be treated) and the other is slow moving (I think can be healed). Sorry I can't just tell you what needs to be done.

I did more research on some other websites and I'm pretty sure that is exactly what he has. I say some pictures with other bettas that had it and it looks the same! Thanks so much! I will PM her too :) I hope he can get better, he's the best fish I've ever had.

[lalalaura]

He's in a 1.5 gal right now and I just put 1/2 tsp and like 3 drops of Bettafix to his water. It said 1/2 tsp per gallon and I didn't want to put the full dose since I heard it is dangerous for bettas.
Anyone with experience with treating Columnaris bacteria PLEASE HELPPPP!!!!

[LittleBettaFish]

Firstly, not keeping your betta at an ideal temperature can severely stress his immune system leaving him susceptible to disease.

Secondly, drop the bettafix and continued use of aquarium salt. Bettafix can damage the labyrinth organ even when diluted and aquarium salt should really only be used in extreme cases of fin damage or as a bath during sickness.

Columnaris generally requires medication. It is bacterial not fungal, and is usually a result of poor water conditions. However, I'm not familiar with the type of medication needed for that particular bacteria so you'll have to ask another member in regards to that.

Edit: I found this online so maybe it can be more helpful than I am

Lower the water temp to 75 - 76 degrees... higher temps make this bacteria multiply faster and become more agressive.

Raise oxygen levels in the tank... lower oxygen levels do the same as high temps, and the fish will also need the extra oxygen in case of gill damage.

Gram Negative antibacterials such as,

Triple Sulfa or any gram negative Sulfa meds will work in the very early stages.

Kanamycin, Nitrofurazone or Minocycline (Maracyn 2) will work in either early or later stages.

[iheartmybettas]

Originally Posted by lalalaura

He's in a 1.5 gal right now and I just put 1/2 tsp and like 3 drops of Bettafix to his water. It said 1/2 tsp per gallon and I didn't want to put the full dose since I heard it is dangerous for bettas.
Anyone with experience with treating Columnaris bacteria PLEASE HELPPPP!!!!

I did a little reading around the forum and it looks like medication is the only thing that is going to help. For that try PMing Thunderloon. S/he is practically an expert on the medications you should use. OFL deals only with natural remedies while Thunderloon uses a lot of chemical based meds. I believe it is going to take something like Jungle Fungus Clear.

You will need to get a heater like everyone is saying. Your betta needs to stay at a consistent temp especially while they are sick.