[Lordsameth]

I tested on the two week mark of the cycle and it was 0, however my cat wrecked the ammonia bottle, so I need to get a new set. I did a 50% change before adding the fish though, if it helps.


*Edit* Should I bring up the temperature to 86 to treat velvet? I'm worried that with the heat wave he'll over heat.... I can't tell shining a light on him, as he is purple, lol.

*editedit* He's struggling to swim, all of his fins are closed right up. It's like he's trying to propel himself with twin pieces of string...

 

[Lordsameth]

I did a 25% change a little while back, and just now since he is out of hiding, attacked him with a flashlight. It's too hard to tell because of his coloration and because I am unfamiliar with him, but I'm going to assume the goldish tinge under his fins and gills is velvet, but I am inexperienced at stuff like this, as I have only treated fin rot and swim bladder problems... My camera isn't good enough to get the colors. It looks like a gold powder on his underside, but his fins also look to be powdered purple and blue, which are his natural colors.

I wish new Betta didn't get sick like this...

 

[Lordsameth]

Sorry, typo, it was only a 25% change I did, as scheduled. XD If I were to do a 75%, I might as well go all the way, clean it completely and house Mocha in a bowl.

Oh, found a pic. Yup, Mocha looks like he had has early stages of velvet. Up goes the temperature, and in goes the salt. If anyone has anything else to add, please do so in case I missed something!

 

[Lordsameth]

This little fish had spunk, that is why I got him. If he is worse tomorrow I'll move him to a smaller bowl that I can do more water changes in until I can test ammonia.

He seems to be a fighter, he'll make it. He has to open his fins..I haven't even taken pictures of him yet!

 

[Lordsameth]

I'm worried that moving him lots may stress him out even more. He's moving a lot and is aware of what is going on, so I'm thinking he has a good chance of beating it with temperature regulations (he's out of the sun now) and darkness. He's really beautiful... a lucky find. It'd be a shame if he stays ill..

He isn't rubbing, just perching. His breathing is normal too. I feel a lot of his weakness is loss of energy from zipping around his new home, due to our work schedules someone in the house is up at all times, and they let me know he was very active during most times. His fins started unclamping a little at the water change. When I put some salt in the water he came out of hiding and had a look, so the stable water temperature did help, although the instability helped me find the velvet early enough.

 

[Lordsameth]

I'll get some pics in a few. He's in his pirate ship.

Yes I do plan on moving him to a bowl, but I can't do it until I've cat-proofed the bowl. It kind of has to wait until tomorrow because it's pretty late and I've got to get some sleep for work.

Hi breathing is normal, he seems healthy enough, just tired and fin clamped. I'm not even 100% sure he has velvet, the gold might be part of his color.

 

[Lordsameth]

Here come the pics!

This first one.. imagine those gorgeous fins opened!

In these next two, look near the eye, see where it is golden? What do you think?

 

[Lordsameth]

It does glitter, yes, but so does his tail if you look at the blue streaks in the lit picture. It goes under his belly a short ways, but it isn't too extensive. When the light is shined on it though, it looks like gold powder. In the light those spots are slightly darker.

 

[Lordsameth]

*feels soooo relieved*

I'm glad I got good pictures then. The temperature has been stable for the past hour, and his fins are beginning to open up again. I really hope he is all well for the morning, and is just tired from his adventures over the passed couple days.

 

[Lordsameth]

Absolutely! *off to bed*

 

[Lordsameth]

Well, a good morning to all (likely afternoon and evening in the rest of the world)

I got up today and poor Mocha is looking much worse. His fins are still clamped tight, and he seems unable to keep himself up. I've moved him to a fish bowl placed inside the heated tank, and I'll keep an eye on any improvement over the day.... I'm very worried now...

 

[Lordsameth]

I am using both a water conditioner and stress coat. I've got him is QT and he's all busy exploring and such. His problem isn't that he can't swim, it's that when he swims up he kind of sinks tail down, likes he's too tired to swim to the bottom. If his fins open later in the day I know it is time to take apart the actual tank for a good scrubbing... I have a feeling there is something in the water that leaving for several days won't fix...

 

[Lordsameth]

I checked him when I got home today, no change....wait he swam up for air! *sigh* I've been so stressed over this little guy...

 

[Lordsameth]

Today there is a little more energy. His fins seem less clamped, but he is still camping down at the bottom. When I move him to a container to clean his bowl I'm going to try and feed him a couple pellets... He hasn't eaten in almost a week.

 

[Lordsameth]

not eating yet. I'll keep trying...his tail split, and is still clamped.... *sigh*

 

[Lordsameth]

This one doesn't have swim bladder issues. He seems to swim okay, just kind of down looking...

His bottom fin opened up throughout today though, and he seems to like the smaller tank he's in.

 

[Lordsameth]

Swim bladder issues killed one of my Betta though...

 

[Lordsameth]

OMG UPDATE~~~

He was swimming around so I put some pellets in... and he started pushing them around his mouth. Didn't eat them, but he chilled right out, and his fins began to unclamp. He is extremely interested in the pellets and I'm sure he'll try to eat them soon. I see a recovery~~~

Look at the improvement from page 2! See why I tried so hard to save him?

 

[Lordsameth]

Today's update: Got outta bed, and he was NOT on the floor of his tank! I threw some pellets in and he jumped! His fins are almost completely unclamped, and he is very hyper and happy. He seems to love the new tank, even though it is very tiny. Despite this I do plan on working him into something a touch bigger so I can fit some plants and a cave in, but for now he is enjoying a tank with nothing but a tiny plant and a couple food pellets.

On top of that, Macchiato is enjoying the five gallon sooo much. He was in the teeny tiny tank, and was happy in it (bubble nests galore!), so this is his first time in anything larger than a 1.5 gallon. I never noticed how big he's gotten, or how long his fins have grown, but he needed a larger tank. He is MASSIVE! He seems to like all the room (and new hiding spots) and greeted me with a bubble nest this morning! So win all around for my fishies!