Weird fish

[Leanne]

After taking more notice of the fish close up than usual since my gold fish
started turning black, I've noticed that my betta fish has a white lump on
its mouth, thinking that it could be a fungal disease i went to the guy that
sells the fish and asked him, he said thats what it is and gave me some
anti-fungal treatments.... as soon as i put it in the betta got all agro and
started flaring out its gills (which i guess is a fighting sign, i've never
seen them do it before) and trying to attack the other fish... the fungal
treatment has made the water go a bright green... could i think its
attacking its own kind because of the colour of the water... or has this
stuff just sent my fish crazy?

Should I take him out of the tank and put him in his little one??

Thanks
Leanne.

[Donald Kerns]

Leanne wrote:

> After taking more notice of the fish close up than usual since my gold
> fish started turning black, I've noticed that my betta fish has a
> white lump on its mouth, thinking that it could be a fungal disease i
> went to the guy that sells the fish and asked him, he said thats what
> it is and gave me some anti-fungal treatments....

I'd REALLY recommend a large (50% with treated, temperature-matched
water) water change. I'm worried about your water quality (gf turning
black, particularly on fins and extremities is an indicator of recovery
from high ammonia levels...)

White stuff in the mouth of bettas is a very strong indicator of
flexibacter. Do a google on "betta flex" see if it matches.

http://www.aquamaniacs.net/flex.html

Think bacteria, not fungus...

-Donald
--
"Faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving
that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the
proof." -Galbraith's Law

[IDzine01]

"Leanne" > wrote in message >...
> After taking more notice of the fish close up than usual since my gold fish
> started turning black, I've noticed that my betta fish has a white lump on
> its mouth, thinking that it could be a fungal disease i went to the guy that
> sells the fish and asked him, he said thats what it is and gave me some
> anti-fungal treatments.... as soon as i put it in the betta got all agro and
> started flaring out its gills (which i guess is a fighting sign, i've never
> seen them do it before) and trying to attack the other fish... the fungal
> treatment has made the water go a bright green... could i think its
> attacking its own kind because of the colour of the water... or has this
> stuff just sent my fish crazy?

It's hard to say without seeing a photo of what it looks like, but a
true fungus is pretty rare, though it DOES occure. Chances are it's
flex or maybe even Ich. Are there white specs anywhere else on the
betta's body? Mouth problems are pretty common with bettas and usually
indicate poor water conditions. I don't know much about goldfish
(figures I'm in the goldfish forum) but most of them are cooler water
fish where bettas are tropical. Are you keeping them in the same tank?
I know some types of goldies CAN be kept with Bettas, but I'm not sure
which ones. Either way, Bettas like a temp between 76-80.

What is the name of the fungal treatment you're using?

Without a sure diagnosis I wouldn't treat him with anything. The best
treatment is good water conditions until you know for sure.

>
> Should I take him out of the tank and put him in his little one??

How big is his little tank? If it's less then 1 gal, I'd say hold off.

[Leanne]

> Leanne wrote:
>
> > After taking more notice of the fish close up than usual since my gold
> > fish started turning black, I've noticed that my betta fish has a
> > white lump on its mouth, thinking that it could be a fungal disease i
> > went to the guy that sells the fish and asked him, he said thats what
> > it is and gave me some anti-fungal treatments....
>
> I'd REALLY recommend a large (50% with treated, temperature-matched
> water) water change. I'm worried about your water quality (gf turning
> black, particularly on fins and extremities is an indicator of recovery
> from high ammonia levels...)
>
> White stuff in the mouth of bettas is a very strong indicator of
> flexibacter. Do a google on "betta flex" see if it matches.
>
> http://www.aquamaniacs.net/flex.html
>
> Think bacteria, not fungus...
>
> -Donald

Thanks Donald,

I'll do this...
OTOH it still doesnt answer why he started acting so weird when i put the
fungal treatment in.
I've had these fish for 2 years and i've never had a problem like this!

Thanks for your help.
Leanne.

[Leanne]

> It's hard to say without seeing a photo of what it looks like, but a
> true fungus is pretty rare, though it DOES occure. Chances are it's
> flex or maybe even Ich. Are there white specs anywhere else on the
> betta's body?

it's just a little spot on his mouth, very little.

Mouth problems are pretty common with bettas and usually
> indicate poor water conditions. I don't know much about goldfish
> (figures I'm in the goldfish forum) but most of them are cooler water
> fish where bettas are tropical. Are you keeping them in the same tank?

yes they are kept in the same tank, have been kept this way for two years...
I live in Alice Springs australia, the water is fairly warm all the time
because of the temps here.

> I know some types of goldies CAN be kept with Bettas, but I'm not sure
> which ones. Either way, Bettas like a temp between 76-80.
>
> What is the name of the fungal treatment you're using?

its just called fungas and finrot remedy, by aquarium science.

>
> Without a sure diagnosis I wouldn't treat him with anything. The best
> treatment is good water conditions until you know for sure.

> How big is his little tank? If it's less then 1 gal, I'd say hold off.

its just over 2, I took him out last night... the spot is looking a bit
better than it did yesterday... I don't want to keep him in there too long
though because he wont eat in there... seems to like the big tank best...
which is why i put him in there in the first place 2 years ago.

[IDzine01]

> its just over 2, I took him out last night... the spot is looking a bit
> better than it did yesterday... I don't want to keep him in there too long
> though because he wont eat in there... seems to like the big tank best...
> which is why i put him in there in the first place 2 years ago.

It's still pretty tough to guess what it is, but I doubt it's a
fungus. Keep him in your quarantine tank and keep a close eye on the
water parameters. If you want I can lead you to the link where I get
all my betta advice. The Message Board moderators there are awesome
and house a life time worth of betta knowledge.

Here's the link.

http://pub36.ezboard.com/baquariumbbs
click "Betta"