A Chink In His Armor (Picts Included)

[tokala]

I tell ya what... THIS FISH! Don't get me wrong, Diablo is my baby and he melts my heart, but there is always something.

I came home from about an hour errand and found him missing two scales and covered in blue scratches (?) My boyfriend just got me the Fluval Chi for him and he was moved into it last week (and we both love it!) I am at a total loss as to how he lost his scales. There is nothing in the tank that could have done it.

I know its nothing to panic about- I am sure fish loose scales all the time. I was just wondering if I should add salt or anything else to help it heal or just let it be?

[tokala]

bump

[CyerRyn]

Aww he is GORGEOUS! Even with the missing scales.. he's beautiful! I hope you figure out what happened.. could it be the gravel? Sometimes my Bloo does nose-dives into his gravel if he's startled.

[Canuck Fins]

Can you fill these out to give us more information....

Housing
What size is your tank?
What temperature is your tank?
Does your tank have a filter?
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration?
Is your tank heated?
What tank mates does your betta fish live with?

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish?
How often do you feed your betta fish?

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change?
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change?
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change?

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?

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

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed?
How has your betta fish's behavior changed?
When did you start noticing the symptoms?
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how?
Does your fish have any history of being ill?
How old is your fish (approximately)?

I agree he's a gorgeous one.

[tokala]

I think I have found the culprit. These Fluval Chis have a very interesting filter system. The intake is teeny tiny and divided into three little sections. It would be a long shot, but i guess he COULD squeeze up there if his heart was set on it. I will be making a baffle with filter sponge tonight- that is the only place in the whole tank he could scratch himself on. Unless he is in fact diving into the gravel although I have never seen it. He seems REALLY curious about that filter intake and I keep catching him checking it out. He is otherwise super spunky and seems happier than ever in this new tank.

Again, I am not really worried that much. Was just curious if its worth it to add a pinch of salt to aid the healing process. There is no flesh exposed and the scratches seem to be very superficial.

Thanks guys!

Originally Posted by Canuck Fins

Can you fill these out to give us more information....

Housing
What size is your tank? 5gal fluval chi
What temperature is your tank? 80 degrees
Does your tank have a filter? yes
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? no
Is your tank heated? yes
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? 1 apple snail

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? 2 pellets 2X a day, 1 frozen bloodworm ever 2 days
How often do you feed your betta fish? 2X a day

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? ATM 50% every other day and 100% once a week as the tank is not cycled.
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? See above.
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? Dechlorinator and sometimes Atison's Betta Spa. Not at the moment though.

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?

Ammonia:0
Nitrite:0
Nitrate:0
pH:7.8 (high but Diablo has adapted to it over the last couple months)
Hardness:-
Alkalinity: -

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? Missing 2 scales and a couple scratches
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? Not at all, he is active and happy
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? Yes, but has recovered
How old is your fish (approximately)? 6 months to a year

I agree he's a gorgeous one.

[Canuck Fins]

Glad you think you might've figured out what it is.

I had asked in a thread in the Betta Care forum about Stress Coat because I'd seen it mentioned a few times on the board. You might want to read that thread because a few posters had suggested it's really helpful with regrowth. I think you've got really good conditions for your fish.

If it was me, I don't think I'd bother with salt. If he's rubbing himself raw "playing" in the filter, that will heal on its own. :)

[tokala]

Originally Posted by Canuck Fins

Glad you think you might've figured out what it is.

I had asked in a thread in the Betta Care forum about Stress Coat because I'd seen it mentioned a few times on the board. You might want to read that thread because a few posters had suggested it's really helpful with regrowth. I think you've got really good conditions for your fish.

If it was me, I don't think I'd bother with salt. If he's rubbing himself raw "playing" in the filter, that will heal on its own. :)

Yep, I am pretty sure that is what it is- he keeps swimming up to the intake and when he realizes it is now stuffed with filter sponge he almost seems to pout haha. It's like I took away his new favorite game! Ah well, boys will be boys, I am sure he is quite proud of those missing scales

I will look into the stress coat for sure! Thanks so much for the recommendation! I like the sound of that more than salt. Otherwise, hopefully regular water changes and some tlc will do the trick