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My Betta fish has been acting strange lately: he is swimming normally; however, he will often jerk from time to time & rub on the decorations. I have checked for velvet but there were no signs of it. I checked for ich; no white specks, there is just this white spot where his anus is that has been there ever since I got him. Water parameters are perfect. I have recently noticed what looks to be peeling scales on one of his gills but they have started to heal. Is this parasitic? How do I treat it?

My Betta fish has been acting strange lately: he is swimming normally; however, he will often jerk from time to time & rub on the decorations. I have checked for velvet but there were no signs of it. I checked for ich; no white specks, there is just this white spot where his anus is that has been there ever since I got him. Water parameters are perfect. I have recently noticed what looks to be peeling scales on one of his gills but they have started to heal. Is this parasitic? How do I treat it?

Updated On March 31st, 2017

Pet's info: Fish | Unknown - Fish | Male | unneutered | 0.004 lbs

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

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By your description, the condition could be resolving. A bacterial, fungal or parasitic infection could have been the cause. It could also have been a traumatic injury. Monitor for signs of ich or bacterial infection. Move Mushu to a small quarantine tank or bowl. Maintain the water temp at 78-80 F. If it is ich, this will speed up the lifecycle. Dissolve 1 teaspoon per gallon of aquarium salt (NOT table salt) into the hospital tank. Perform daily water changes with conditioned water and fresh salt. Do this for 7-10 days maximum. A wide variety of minor infections can be treated in this manner. You can treat the main tank in this fashion if necessary, but perform 25-50 % water changes to avoid upsetting the nitrogen cycle.

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