What killed my betta?

On sunday I did a water change and on monday night I noticed that the scales on my male had come up a little bit and what looked white pus or similar was coming out from under the scales and he died later that night. now the female that was in with him is doing the same thing.

She is lethargic and hasnt eaten for a couple of days, her scales have just come up a little bit and I can see the white stuff there

Can anyone tell me what is wrong and what I can do about it?

The LFS gave me some antibiotic but it hasnt had any effect so far and did nothing for the male

do they/ did they look bloated?

Could be dropsy, maybe.

the male didnt but the female sort of is but not much, not as big as a fish with bloat

Olly, can you post a pic of the female so we can see her symptoms first hand?

Also, what are the water parameters in the tank? Do you have test kits or can you take a sample to the shop for testing? Since the male started getting sick after a water change, I would suggest that you also test a sample of your tap water.

In that pic of your male, is that a paua shell in the foreground? If so (and if there are any other shells in the tank) it could be a high pH issue.

Good luck with your female. I hope she makes it.

Heres a poor photo i cant get a good one

She just sits at the top all day

You cant properly see the lifted scales but u can see she not happy and and a bit bloated

can you take a pic from the top looking down?

Try adding 1grm rock salt per litre of water (assuming that there are no other fish in there and take your plants out first - or move the fish) and see how she gets on.

Oh. That doesn't look good. All the best.....

Anything that might have fallen into the water? Maybe during the water change? Sometimes chilling water can make thier fins clamp. Thats my 5 cents worth.

Well? How's the female doing today? Any improvement?

But with bloat don't the scales protrude more?? It looks more like her body itself is just bloated, if you know what I mean; but, then you did say the scales are lifting.

Has anyone heard of "white pus" coming out before??

Gee, as 1/2waysgood said, keep us posted and I sure hope she recovers!

Caper

Oh poor little fishie She certainly isn't looking in good shape.

There has been no change in the female overnight

the scales havnt been sticking right out, they are just raised a little bit and there is white mucus under each one. It was much easier to see on the male cos he was dark but i didnt think to take a photo of him before he died

I'm not vet, but my first thoughts are:

- run carbon in filter in case a chemical was introduced

- do biggest water change you can, using warm water of correct temp + ager

- salt bath (I just use lots of table salt in a bucket of water) for 5 minutes (shorter if the fish goes sideways and starts to float)

Up to you weither you take my advice or not, I can't guarantee success, but it has worked for me a few times, and failing that it'd be vet treatments (e.g. antibiotics).

I'm not vet, but my first thoughts are:

- run carbon in filter in case a chemical was introduced

- do biggest water change you can, using warm water of correct temp + ager

- salt bath (I just use lots of table salt in a bucket of water) for 5 minutes (shorter if the fish goes sideways and starts to float)

Up to you weither you take my advice or not, I can't guarantee success, but it has worked for me a few times, and failing that it'd be vet treatments (e.g. antibiotics).

they have a filter with carbon already ( the carbon was replaced 2 weeks ago)

i have been doing 80% water changes daily since the male got sick

i gave her a salt bath on wednesday

the LFS gave me furan? and another antibiotic that i cant remember the name of. I have treated her with both, furan first and now the other one

she still looks 80% dead

Think they're anti-bacterial, not antibiotics (which are prescription only).

Sounds like you've done a good job. As long as your ammonia and nitrite are ok, I can't think of much else that could be done (sorry).

I just read the packet and yes you're right they are antibacterial

I cant afford a vet lol I'm a vet student (not that they've taught us ANYTHING about fish :roll:)

I thouht carbon will 'remove' the medications? And won't the ab will effect the bacteria culture on your filter. Again, my 5cents worth :roll:

Yea i took the filter out to treat her but it had been going for 3 days before treatment so I dont thing it will be a chemical in the water

I took a sample in to the petshop and they said there was nothing wrong with the water - pH6.8, no amminia, nitrites, nitrates and everything else was fine too

Oh well I guess theres not much else I can do

I was just wondering if anyone else has had this happen and if they knew what it was or how to prevent it

Thanks for the help

My 2 cents is it may be too late sorry

Once I see fish going that bad its usually a good time to euthanise.

I'll give it until tonight to improve

I agree its probably too late I'm just worried about what killed them and could it harm my other fish

if this is not too late and you only have the fighter in the tank i would add 1grm rock salt available from supermarkets next to the table salt) per litre of water. It won't hurt her but may help. The mucus may be the natural scale protection coming off. Its not dropsy.

I'll give it a try