[Sena Hansler]

Uhhhh sea salt?! Never heard of using it.

I use AQUARIUM SALT. 3 teaspoons per gallon - and note: dissolve the salt first. Add one teaspoon per gallon over the day until you reach 3 teaspoons to avoid shock. You should do this for 10 days, cleaning EVERY day at least half.....and since it is fungal to avoid it spreading LOWER THE TEMPERATURE. They can survive at amazing low temperatures, so leave it at 68-75 degrees. Yes, that means NO HEATER.

 

[Sena Hansler]

hmmm that doesn't look really fungal to me... more like a wound blister (which happens, and is similar to what popeye looks like, just on the body itself)...

Are any of the scales raised? does it look fuzzy, slimy, or solid...? And how many water changes do you do a week and how much?

 

[Sena Hansler]

Well if it looks like a "water pocket" or similar to popeye, I use epsom salt. it drains the fluids safely. plus epsom salt is very safe!!! Same amount, same time frame, and dissolve first of course.

These can happen because of an infection (Iknow little of that), bumping into something (which to you it could look like loose skin and a bubbled area on a cut we get!), or lost some scales - it acts like the body's defense but it's best to drain it.

 

[Sena Hansler]

slimy may be slime coat, and should be fine, but epsom salt is good to drain fluids My Tina is the one still with columnaris and the mysterious orange discoloration - and she acts fine but is permanently quarantined. I've seen severe columnaris and the fish still act all happy - but yes usually something serious they tend to lose appetite, color, and/or activeness.

as long as it is plain old epsom, it should work. NOT fragrance stuff - that'll kill him. every few hours works for me.


since you noted it started a few months ago, go ahead with epsom.. if it does not go away I think it may be a tumor or lipoma/cyst......

 

[Sena Hansler]

1 and 1/2 tank, 3 teaspoon and 1.5 teaspoon - so yes. It does sound a lot, but it's okay

You did dissolve it first before adding right?

Yes only add enough to replace what you took out.

Trust me I've had bettas who "never had it when I got them" and it turned out they had something genetic or chronic. BUT doesn't mean they cannot live some pretty good healthy lives

 

[Sena Hansler]

As long as it is 100% epsom salt also known as heptahydrate epsomite , no fragrance, it works. I use one that says "use 1 cup per ----- of water for baths"

and yes he is very good looking - Spartan was pretty too, despite the weird raised bubbly spot which was a tumor

 

[Sena Hansler]

I've done epsom for bloat, popeye, blisters, and internal ailments other than the genetic disease my three blues endoured and of course parasites. Watch him for any dramatic behavioral changes - but yes it should be fine. I know it seems like a lot but it isn't. And it is safer than AQ salt, apparently.

 

[Sena Hansler]

well, 1 and a half gallon... one teaspoon PER GALLON like I said... I said to add 4 and a half total, not per gallon :lol:

Never do it for more than 10 days and I suggets using it for the full length even if it does disappear, keep it going for the full length to avoid any relapse

 

[Sena Hansler]

20minutes???? never heard of that!

I've had to use epsom on so many things.

Constipation: left until they pooped their little guts out :lol: and boy, they poop!

SBD: One boy I had battling for a few months. on and off epsom because we had to break it inbetween doses since it should only be 10 days. 3 months! We were worried it was chronic - so we left him in it again and finally it cleared up with no feedings for a couple weeks D: he is the meanest healthiest booger now.

popeye and blistering areas: it seems to help sooth, avoid infections, and drain the fluids. Can be done for those water pockets (forgot the actual name for it) as you should never drain it yourself...

So if it is the last one, it should work. One teaspoon per gallon, up'd to 3 teaspoons per gallon. Hence the large number I've never had a negative problem with epsom as long as it is thoroughly dissolved beforehand. 20 minutes won't give it time to kick in - it can be 1-3 days before any signs usually - or in severe cases, 5-10 days.

 

[Sena Hansler]

yeah puncturing it can cause infections fast! It's kind of his body's defense - you know how when you wear new shoes, you get a blister? That is your body defending itself - it's a way to cushion, and protect, and usually leaves a callus that then helps you continue to wear those shoes hence why flip-flop wearers have stronger skin between their toes!! And those that puncture it, tend to have more pain and a longer time for it to heal. Epsom salt for us, works for that.

Epsom salt for them, works for that

If it doesn't work we may need to ask about it being a cyst, tumor, etc... I don't want you being alarmed, but it is possible and not uncommon. You can meet many of us who've had tumor bettas and we can help you with it!

 

[Sena Hansler]

Then it may be what I think it is epsom salt for 10 days, even if it "goes away" do it for the full length to make absolute sure no relapse is going to happen. If it doesn't go away, post another thread asking "Tumor?" or something like that and you'll get all us tumor-betta-owning people in :lol:

 

[Sena Hansler]

I wish you BOTH luck :lol: And trust me, if it IS a tumor or something chronic that will never go away... we're here to help

 

[Sena Hansler]

Hmmm lemme get a few people to sneak peak here