posted 03-13-2004 10:20 PM         

What size tank is he in and how many other fish are with him?
What are your water parameters (ammonia, nitrIte, nitrAte)?
How often do you do water changes?

While Melafix is terrific for helping wounds heal quickly, its antifungal/antibacterial properties are greatly disputed. My guess is it is either bacterial or fungal, but with the discription you've given so far, I can't tell which so I can't recommend a med.

posted 03-15-2004 09:22 AM         

Your tank also sounds a bit overstocked. Get test kits for ammonia, nitrIte, and nitrAte and post the results here.
And until you can get the tests, I suggest doing water changes every week.

posted 03-15-2004 09:30 AM         

I had a bout with fungus in my tank not too long ago, I will tell you how I fixed it:

1. Remove your filter cartridge but leave the bio-wheel (if you have one) in. If you take out the bio-wheel you will re-introduce the fungus when you put it back in.

2. Isolate the fish in another tank if this is possible. It will make medicating a lot easier.

3. I tried melafix and it didn't do anything for my betta and he passed away overnight from the time I saw his fungus. It started as a bump but soon covered half of his body in the few hourse before he died. I bought something called Myacin when the same fungus showed up later on some of my rasboras, it comes in a blue package and looks like little pills. Follow the directions on the package and be sure to do a thorough tank cleaning and water change a couple days after you have given the last dose.

4. Also, if your betta dies during the treatment you need to keep treating the tank to kill the fungus living in there so it doesn't attach to another fish.

5. After the tank has been cleaned replace your filter cartidge with a new one just to be on the safe side. If you have a bio-wheel you shouldn't have to worry about the tank having a mini-cycle.

I'd also like to add that the fungus in my tank started out like yours but became something totally different, often covering over half of the fish like it did on my betta. I battled it for over three weeks and did lose a few fish to it. Be prepared for the long haul and don't be afraid to buy expensive medications- that was part of my problem. Good luck!