[zombiegirl]

So my daughter and I rescued a guy from Petco with some fin issues. He was really active so I figured we could deal with his split fin. When we got him home and set him up in his new tank, I noticed he had a few small off color patches on his body. At first I thought they were white, but on closer inspection they appear gold. I'm going to try to get some pictures but he's not cooperating at the moment. I think he's a blue mustard gas halfmoon, so I'm not sure if the scales are part of his color or if it's an illness. Any advice would be great.

Housing
What size is your tank? 2 Gallon Hex
What temperature is your tank? 80 deg
Does your tank have a filter? No
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? None

edited to add: I just noticed him rubbing on his treasure chest. So I'm thinking it maybe bacterial or fungal, maybe even velvet with the gold color? None of our other bettas have gotten sick so I'm not sure what I'm dealing with or how to treat it.

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? Aqueon Betta pellets daily and freeze dried blood worms weekly
How often do you feed your betta fish? 1-2 in the morning and 1-2 in the evening

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? We just got him yesterday, but I typically change 50% twice a week and 100% once a week.
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? Stress Coat +

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

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
pH: 7.2
Hardness:
Alkalinity:

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? Split dorsal fin and a few edges show early signs of rot
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? He's active and alert
When did you start noticing the symptoms? Bought him like this
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? Aq Salt
Does your fish have any history of being ill? No
How old is your fish (approximately)? Just got him, no idea

 

[dbooknook]

If you try shining a flashlight on those areas and it appears dusty-looking it might be velvet.

 

[zombiegirl]

You can see one of the spots here.

 

[zombiegirl]

I tired that, but it's so hard to tell with his coloring. Why can't this be easy

 

[dbooknook]

Well, if it does not look powdery, its not velvet. Look on the diseases sticky:
http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=73332

 

[zombiegirl]

It doesn't look dusty. It looks like three or four small, light splotches, larger than salt grains, and I can't tell if they are cottony or fuzzy.

Thank you for the link and the fast replies. I read through all the diseases before I posted. I wasn't able to pin point what it might be, but I haven't dealt with betta illness before. I thought maybe I'd ask the board so I can figure out how to treat him.

 

[AltheaGlyndwr]

I don't really know anything that can help but you sure rescued a beauty I hope he gets healthy for you!

 

[dbooknook]

Try adding API general cure. It might work. Your fish could also be just stressed, I'm not too sure.

 

[zombiegirl]

I think I'm just going to continue with the AQ salt and keep a close eye on him. Hopefully, he'll get better. I haven't noticed him rubbing on his treasure chest since yesterday and he's eating well so that's a plus.

 

[dbooknook]

You know what, it was probably a parasite! If he was rubbing against the glass, it might of been an external parasite.*facepalm*

 

[zombiegirl]

Will AQ salt help with that, if that's what it is?

 

[lelei]

Wow you have my "Dreamfish" I love the blue/mg..saw on Aquabid..Lucky to have found such a treasure I sure hope he's gonna be ok..sorry I couln't tell you what you may be dealing with, could be just his coloring..but (I am new with fish too) and learning much about diseases..but not diagnoses

 

[dbooknook]

I can spot diseases, but can't tell you what meds to give him...sorry.

 

[zombiegirl]

Thanks for trying

 

[dbooknook]

Yeah, I'm new to this, too.

 

[zombiegirl]

So after close inspection. It looks like the spots are now gone. I'm assuming he rubbed them off? I don't know. It's weird. Maybe he'd just doing better now that he's out of that filthy cup. It was so nasty and it had less than two inches of water in it. It's one of the reasons we picked him.

I went ahead and did a 100% water change still using AQ salt, scrubbed the ornaments and silk plant in his tank and changed his gravel. I'll have to watch him to see if it comes back.

 

[dbooknook]

I bet the AQ salt killed the parasite or something.

 

[zombiegirl]

I hope so. Now if we can get his fins back in shape, he'll be doing all right.

 

[dbooknook]

I don't think AQ salt will help with that. Just do 100% water changes everyday and keep the water clean.

 

[zombiegirl]

Well he must be feeling better. I woke up to a huge bubble nest this morning.