| You wake one morning to find that you healthy | | | | betta fish are best suited for warm and slightly |
| looking betta fish is now not so healthy | | | | acidic pH balance (7.0) |
| looking....What looks like someone took salt and | | | | - Don't overstock your tank with fish- Sounds like |
| shook it all over your fish can be a lot more | | | | a no brainer but many people think if one is good |
| serious than you think. The reality is that this is | | | | then 10 must be better. An overstocked fish tank |
| the sign of a very common disease known as | | | | is a breeding ground for disease and stress (which |
| "fish ick (ich)" or white spot disease. | | | | cause disease because it hinders a fish's immune |
| Here are some things you can do to prevent and | | | | system. |
| treat white spot disease: | | | | - Always quarantine new fish for a minimum of |
| - Regularly change out the water to your | | | | four days before introducing them to your main |
| aquarium- I personally change the water out of | | | | aquarium- Fish that come fresh from a pet store |
| my tank twice monthly although you don't | | | | are more likely to bring with them anything they |
| necessarily have to be that vigilant. Changing out | | | | had in the previous tank. Since the Ick parasite |
| the water is more than simply pouring it out and | | | | has a life span of 4 days, you are going to want |
| filling it up though. You want "aged water" meaning | | | | to quarantine the betta fish long enough for the |
| that you want water to be sitting out for at least | | | | parasite to proliferate and die. |
| 24 hours before you fill the tank up. | | | | - If a fish shows signs of Ick, remove him to the |
| - Feed your betta fish a variety of foods- freeze | | | | quarantine tank (min. 4 days) |
| dried and flake food- Betta fish are meat eaters | | | | - Never purchase plant life that has been in a tank |
| but giving them a mixture of brine shrimp and | | | | with fish in it. If you do, quarantine it- Just like |
| beef hearts combined with the typical flake food | | | | purchasing fish from a fish store could cause |
| is best. | | | | problems, purchasing plant life that share a tank |
| - Reduce the stress of your beta's environment | | | | with other fish can do the same. Quarantine to be |
| by maintaining a constant pH balance and avoid | | | | on the safe side. Obviously, there are also |
| fluctuations in water temperature and ammonia | | | | medications that you can use to eradicate the Ich |
| levels- You can buy testing kits at any local pet | | | | but remember, you aren't necessarily treating the |
| store and your aquarium should have a | | | | fish themselves but you are treating the tank. If |
| thermometer. Temperature should be regulated | | | | you follow these steps then your fish will lead a |
| to keep a constant and reliable environment and | | | | happy (and healthy), stress free life. |