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Healthy
Betta Illness and Cure Information
The most important part of raising a betta is making sure that he/she
has the proper care and should they get sick, you have the ability to
get them back on the "fins." We hope to be able to provide you
with that much needed and valued information.
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Signs of Health
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Signs of Illness
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Swims Easily
Aware of Surroundings
Eats Regularly
Good Color
Full, Complete Finnage
Nice, Streamline Body
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Struggles to Swim
Distracted/Uninterested
Eats Little or Nothing
Faded Color/Grayish
Fins Stringy/Clumped
Bloated/Underweight
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Please be aware that certain symptoms can point to many
different illnesses. Investigate your betta's illness very carefully before
medicating, as treating for the wrong illness can be especially stressful
for the betta. Please note that all cures provided are not foolproof and
HB is not responsible for the loss of your betta.
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Illness:
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Summary of Symptoms:
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More In-depth Information:
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being too Cold - raise the temperature of your betta's
tank to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
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Loss of color, clamped fins, lethargic. (Be aware
these symptoms may also indicate further illness or inadequate
water conditions, but adjusting temperature is the logical first
step to try to eliminate the problem).
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Columnaris
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Fuzzy, cotton-like substance attached to body
(looks like fuzz or lint), clear or white stringy material hanging
from the body, erosion of the gills, heavy breathing, pinholes
appearing in fins. Usually effects the mouth or head region. Also
may appear as yellowish, white, or greyish areas on the skin,
often surrounded by redness.
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Constipation
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Abnormally swollen abdomen. All other activity
is usually normal.
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Dropsy
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Largely blown-up/swollen appearance, pine-coning
of scales away from the body, loss of appetite, lethargic.
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Egg Bound
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Female - swollen abdomen, trouble swimming, loss
of appetite, lethargic.
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External Parasites
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Rapid darting, scratching against tank decorations,
heavy breathing, possible physical indication of parasites, clamped
fins.
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Fin & Tail Rot
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Black tips, holes, or tears in fins that appear
to be getting worse. Redness or bleeding of fins may occur in
severe cases.
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(True) Fungus
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Gray or white slimey looking material on the skin,
may eventually turn into cottony-looking growth (distinct hair-like
filaments).
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Gill Disease
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Swollen and/or discolored gills, erosion of gills,
heavy mucus production in the gill area.
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Ich
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Looks as though fish has been sprinkled with white
grains of salt, rapid darting, scratching against tank decorations,
heavy breathing, loss of appetite, clamped fins, lethargic.
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Internal Parasites
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Weight loss for no reason, white or stringy feces.
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Poisoning
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Heavy breathing, rapid darting, try to jump out
of tank, discoloration of gills, red streaking of body, loss of
appetite, lethargic.
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Popeye
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Cloudy, protruding eye(s), large bubble covering
eye area.
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Septicemia
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Bleeding or red streaks along the body or fins.
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Slime Disease
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Excessive slime coat mucus production, white stringy
strands hang off of body.
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Swim Bladder Disorder
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Swollen abdomen, difficulty swimming upright,
floating sideways at the top or hovering along the bottom of the
tank.
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Tuberculosis
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Swelling and scale protrusion, unexplained weight
loss, skeletal deformity, skin defects, loss of scales, skin discoloration,
eye protrusion, fin rot, loss of appetite, clamped fins, lethargic.
Please note: Humans are susceptible to this
illness. Please handle fish items with care, wear clean gloves,
and wash hands thoroughly if you suspect your fish may have TB.
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Tumor
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Abnormal lump or growth on the body, growing in
size.
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Velvet
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Looks as though fish has been sprinkled with a
gold dusting, rapid darting, scratching against tank decorations,
heavy breathing, loss of appetite, loss of color, clamped fins,
lethargic.
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