Monday, January 31, 2005
Bettas & Flexibacter
Having lost a previously healthy male (had him almost a month) & a new female (yes - both in contact) .. did some additional research; and evidence (by observation & events) may lead to Flexibacter.
This is the name given a negative bacterium present in ordinary tap water ..which can incubate quickly with sudden temperature rises and thrive on surplus aquarium food -even though the water is routinely cleaned or filtered.
It can sometimes cause the fungus-like growth & anti-fungal agents can help. It is harmless to humans.
In my case, there was no sudden temperature rise - but the tank had been raised slowly to 78-80F ...
No overfeeding ... but a companion Tetra Tropical Fish product for tank companions (a granualar formula) was periodically ingested and spit out (regurgitated) by the Bettas. This was cleaned almost daily for the two days until it was stopped - but it can provide the 'fuel' for Flexibacter.
Therapies are recommended in the links below .. .one might also consider 'Betta stress' effected by new mates - other fish tank mates etc .. and for that Melaleuca as a calming and anti-stress agent is still commended. The antibacterials referred include tetracycline. (Adjust carbon filters of course).
The Flexbacter factor should also be watched when raising fry - even in 'clean tanks' - best guess -a mix of Betta stress .. and a 'leaving' of minor dropping like food regurgitates to the Corydoras cat on an aquarium flor may be too mush. Syphon them out and partly change water & avoid that food type in the Betta tank.
Betta pellet foods are less a problem unless regurgitated - though some are occasionally possible causes of Betta constipation. For that remember the Epsom Salt remedy (separate fish in some of its tank's water and add Epsom Salt - magnesium sulfate- at the rate of 1 Tbs to one gallon .. and let the fish bathe for 15 minutes in it. repeat it daily if the fish does not expurgate itself.
Flexibacter information generally from the following on-line articles.
Flippers & Fins FlexiBacter article
Aquamaniacs.net Flexibacter article
This is the name given a negative bacterium present in ordinary tap water ..which can incubate quickly with sudden temperature rises and thrive on surplus aquarium food -even though the water is routinely cleaned or filtered.
It can sometimes cause the fungus-like growth & anti-fungal agents can help. It is harmless to humans.
In my case, there was no sudden temperature rise - but the tank had been raised slowly to 78-80F ...
No overfeeding ... but a companion Tetra Tropical Fish product for tank companions (a granualar formula) was periodically ingested and spit out (regurgitated) by the Bettas. This was cleaned almost daily for the two days until it was stopped - but it can provide the 'fuel' for Flexibacter.
Therapies are recommended in the links below .. .one might also consider 'Betta stress' effected by new mates - other fish tank mates etc .. and for that Melaleuca as a calming and anti-stress agent is still commended. The antibacterials referred include tetracycline. (Adjust carbon filters of course).
The Flexbacter factor should also be watched when raising fry - even in 'clean tanks' - best guess -a mix of Betta stress .. and a 'leaving' of minor dropping like food regurgitates to the Corydoras cat on an aquarium flor may be too mush. Syphon them out and partly change water & avoid that food type in the Betta tank.
Betta pellet foods are less a problem unless regurgitated - though some are occasionally possible causes of Betta constipation. For that remember the Epsom Salt remedy (separate fish in some of its tank's water and add Epsom Salt - magnesium sulfate- at the rate of 1 Tbs to one gallon .. and let the fish bathe for 15 minutes in it. repeat it daily if the fish does not expurgate itself.
Flexibacter information generally from the following on-line articles.
Flippers & Fins FlexiBacter article
Aquamaniacs.net Flexibacter article
// posted by scotty of course @ 2:26 PM 
