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Registered: Feb 2004

posted 02-04-2004 12:11 PM         

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I have kept fish for a number of years and I just recently bought what would be my third betta. I had very good luck with them in the past and, in fact, one of them is still very much alive and well. The new betta; however, is displaying a number of VERY strange symptoms. I have been keeping him in a 1 gallon filtered tank for refrence. A day or two after I brought him home he proceeded to fade significantly and develop what appeared to be horizontal light gray stripes. His pectoral fins have now faded and become almost entirely transparent and one of them is badly torn or possibly deteriorating (though it doesn't look as if it has gotten much worse). He is also behaving very curiously. He tends to sit at the bottom and swim at the rocks and side of his tank. His gills are not ever quite fully retracted. I'm also debating whether or not he is a little swollen. These all seem like symptoms from separate diseases so I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction. Right now I am treating him for fin rot with some general fish antibiotics but it's too soon to tell whether that is working. And despite all this he's been going for a couple of weeks since I got him. I would appreciate any help. Thank you.

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From:Missouri
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 02-04-2004 01:51 PM         

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What are your water parameters (ammonia, nitrIte, and nitrAte)?

The stripes are called "fear stripes". They generally occur on females, but some males will get them too. It's an indication that they are stressed. And my guess is his symptoms may be due to poor water quality.

-Chelle

[This message has been edited by t_chelle16 (edited 02-04-2004).]

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posted 02-04-2004 07:07 PM         

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Well I don't think that the water is the problem. I always change it fairly frequently removing only about a third of it and I keep the temperature level. I also make sure the water is conditioned before I put it in. Is there anything else that I should do for a betta?

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posted 02-04-2004 07:19 PM         

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How large is the tank?

How often do you clean it?

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From:Missouri
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posted 02-04-2004 08:44 PM         

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I still need the reading for ammonia, nitrIte, and nitrAte. Just because the water looks clean, that doesn't necessarily mean it is clean.

For those readings, you can either buy the test kits or take a sample of the betta's water (preferably right before you do one of your regular water chagnes) to the pet store and they should test it for free (make sure to get the exact numbers, not "It's okay").

-Chelle

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posted 02-05-2004 11:41 AM         

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I'll get that checked out then. I've got a wonderful aquarium store near me that would check the water conditions. For refrence the tank is only 1.5 gallons, but I change a third of it about twice a week.

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posted 02-05-2004 11:48 AM         

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Actually this morning he is looking much better as well. I'm thinking that if I continue the treatment and get the water checked out just in case we may nip this in the bud. He still has the fin problem, but I think that that may have been the effect of his swimming habits. Is there something that I could use that would help get his pectoral fins back in shape? That's the only thing that is remaining unchanged.

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From:british columbia
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 02-05-2004 06:39 PM         

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are you sure its not a girl? when they are ready for a mate they get sripes horizontily on theyre stomach and get very fat.

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posted 02-05-2004 10:27 PM         

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Well I'm guessing it's a he. He's a large grumpy crowntail male with the fins as big as his attitude. If he even catches a glimpse of himself he puts on quite the show.

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From:Dallas, Texas
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 02-06-2004 06:52 AM         

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That would be a guy...
for the females to get the stripes there has to be a male around to mate with.

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