[punkchica321]

Hey, so I was just curious what are some things I should always have ready for whatever the case might be with owning a betta? Like medications and such? Thanks in advance!

 

[Kittles]

Aquarium Salt and Maracyn 1 and 2? That's all I can think of.

Most people usually treat fish problems with salt baths and more carefully monitored conditions. That seems to do the trick unless it's something more serious which is not the case more often than not. And I believe the Maracyn combo is pretty broad spectrum and should take care of most anything else.

 

[reaperss06]

also maybe some anti-parasite stuff for internal, cuz they can get some if you feed them the bloodworms and such. Test strips would be nice, if need be maybe water conditioner.

You probably asked for only sicknesses but these are all things I have on hand.

 

[xxabc]

Get the liquid test kits, strips prove themselves to be pretty misleading. Although a bit more expensive, liquid kits are really more accurate.

 

[dramaqueen]

We recommend the API freshwater master test kit. It's kind of expensive but worth it.

 

[Oldfishlady]

Being a naturalist, my number one natural medication is "water" fresh and clean to help prevent problems, however, they do happen even with the best care so I will use..... aquarium salt, epsom salt, fresh garlic, Indian almond leaves, native oak leaves for treatments of many different things that ail my fish and a few other things I do as well that I don't share.....

 

[Romad]

Being a naturalist, my number one natural medication is "water" fresh and clean to help prevent problems, however, they do happen even with the best care so I will use..... aquarium salt, epsom salt, fresh garlic, Indian almond leaves, native oak leaves for treatments of many different things that ail my fish and a few other things I do as well that I don't share.....

Not sharing? Where's the love??

 

[brancasterr]

Oldfishlady, epsom salt? What does it treat? I might want to look into it. My betta has been acting a bit listless lately and I have some in my cabinet. A friend of mine had this stuff called Betta Revive and he let me have it. It supposedly helps prevent and treat many minor ailments, so I put a few drops of that in there and am waiting to see what it will do.

 

[Oldfishlady]

Epsom salt 1tsp/gal I have found help with edema or swelling related to constipation and some injuries, it will help reduce the edema around the duct that often becomes clogged and infected when a fish becomes constipated or has a short/deformed swim bladder, it also works as a natural laxative and has properties for antibacterial/fungal issue as well, I never use it more than 10 days and I will use up to 3tsp/gal in some cases.

Aquarium salt or kosher salt 1tsp/gal up to 3 tsp/gal also has antibacterial/fungal as well as work for mold in the water, it also can be effective with some parasites as long as it is not over used or the parasite is not resistant from under dosage and long term use.

I do have some home treatment that I use that I do not share but only because they are not proven and I am still experimenting with them...once I establish their effectiveness I will share......I grow lots of different herbs and plants for human medications that I am experimenting with tropical fish to see what works etc......

I rarely if ever use the OTC medication because I have found natural treatments

Fresh garlic if fed 3 times per day for 6 week will rid a fish of internal parasites

Fresh clean water will prevent most problems in the first place with regular water changes

 

[soleilvie]

Is there a highly recommended brand of aquarium salt?

 

[brancasterr]

Thanks Oldfishlady. So if I suspect my betta has a bacterial or fungal infection I should treat him with epsom salt or aquarium salt? Should I add it directly to tank with my betta in there? How long do I leave in there before doing a water change? (partial or full?)

Also, what should I do about live plants in the tank?

 

[Oldfishlady]

I use the API brand, but mostly I use kosher salt because it is cheaper and easier to find....I just look to see if it has the anti caking agent in it, iodine is not harmful as most state but the anti caking agent can be toxic in large doses or long term.

 

[brancasterr]

I use the API brand, but mostly I use kosher salt because it is cheaper and easier to find....I just look to see if it has the anti caking agent in it, iodine is not harmful as most state but the anti caking agent can be toxic in large doses or long term.

So I should just throw it right in there with him? Then proceed to do my water changes as normal?

Will such a minimal amount of salt kill my plant? (its a java fern)

 

[Oldfishlady]

Thanks Oldfishlady. So if I suspect my betta has a bacterial or fungal infection I should treat him with epsom salt or aquarium salt? Should I add it directly to tank with my betta in there? How long do I leave in there before doing a water change? (partial or full?)

Also, what should I do about live plants in the tank?

Most plants will tolerate aquarium salt short term and espom salt can be used as plant food so it is safe
If I am treating fin issues or bacterial issues I like to use aquarium salt
I alway put the fish in QT, I like to use half gallon container and per mix my salt and make 100% daily water changes and healing can be seen within 3-5 days in most cases if caught early, I also lower the water temp to 76-78f because bacteria thrive in warmer water.
If I have constipation or swim bladder issues I use epsom salt and raise the temp up to 80-82F
Regardless of salt type I use or reason for use I make daily water changes from 50-100%, I have found most treatment are best done while in QT with 100% water changes

 

[brancasterr]

I currently don't have a QT tank. Would it be safe to put him in the container I bought him in and just do daily salt baths?

 

[Oldfishlady]

For a 10 day salt treatment of 1tsp/gal, the container that you got him in will work fine, per mix the salt in a 1gal jug and make 100% daily water changes and as long as you keep the pre mixed water jug in the same location as the QT fish it should maintain the same water temp, this is also important...water temp with 100% water changes you don't want the water temp to be more than a couple of degrees difference do not to cause a temp shock.

Java fern is pretty salt tolerant

You don't want to use aquarium salt for longer than 10 days due to the long term effect it can have on the kidneys of the fish.

 

[brancasterr]

So from what I understand, you're saying I should keep him in the smaller container I brought him home from the store in? Will he be okay in there for 10 days solid? And use aquarium salt?

Thanks for your help by the way.

 

[Oldfishlady]

Brancasterr.....What is wrong with him? and why are you needing to treat him? sometimes all that need to be done is 50% daily water changes and no salt is needed....all depends on what is wrong..........

 

[brancasterr]

Brancasterr.....What is wrong with him? and why are you needing to treat him? sometimes all that need to be done is 50% daily water changes and no salt is needed....all depends on what is wrong..........

Today, after a day or so of being far less active and a full water change, I noticed a white patch on his right gill. I can't tell what it is exactly but I fear its an infection. So I'm keeping and eye on it. I just want to be well prepared if the need for treatment presents itself.

 

[shannon]

This might sound strange but keeping a turkey baster just for your fish is a handy tool. I use mine every day. You can remove uneaten food,or when switching to a new bowl or tank it is great to remove most of the old water before transfering fish to minimize contaminition of new water.
S.