Bacterial infections are common ailments in betta fish, primarily caused by poor water quality or physical injuries. Typical symptoms include fin rot, cloudy eye, and body ulcers. Below is a comprehensive plan for the prevention and treatment of these infections:
Common Types of Bacterial Infections and Their Symptoms
Fin Rot/Tail Rot: Characterized by frayed, (tattered) or decaying tail and fins. This condition is often triggered by deteriorating water quality or bacterial invasion.
Cloudy Eye: Symptoms include swollen, protruding eyes with a cloudy or milky appearance. It may be caused by an infection from columnaris bacteria.
Body Ulcers: Manifested as white film or cotton-like growths on the fish’s skin. This issue is frequently accompanied by saprolegniasis (water mold) or parasitic infestations.
Treatment Methods
Yellow Powder Bath: Effective for fin rot and cloudy eye. Immerse the fish in a solution prepared according to the product instructions, then change the water and replenish the medication after 2-3 days.
Salt Bath (Adjuvant Therapy): Use coarse salt at a concentration of 0.3%-0.5%. This helps inhibit bacterial growth and promotes wound healing.
Temperature Elevation for Bacteria Inhibition: Raise the water temperature to 28-30°C (82.4-86°F). This accelerates the fish’s metabolism and suppresses the reproduction of pathogenic organisms.
Antibiotic Use: For severe infections, administer a bath with penicillin (10,000-20,000 units per liter of water) or oxytetracycline.
Prevention Measures
Water Quality Management: Replace 1/3 of the tank water weekly to avoid drastic fluctuations in pH levels. Always use dechlorinated, aerated new water.
Isolate Infected Fish: Immediately separate any fish showing signs of infection to prevent cross-contamination.
Feed Sterilization: Disinfect the fish food before feeding to prevent enteritis caused by spoiled feed.
Precautions
Avoid mixing multiple medications. Prioritize milder options such as oxytetracycline when possible.
Stop feeding the fish during treatment to reduce water contamination.