Treatment for Parrotfish Vertebrae Disease: Effective S

The Causes and Symptoms of Betta Fish's Vertebrae Disease

Causes: Vertebrae disease is a bacterial infection that often arises due to unclean water conditions, wounds on the fish's body, low oxygen levels in the aquarium, and excessively high water temperatures. Clinically, the cure rate for this disease has not exceeded 50%, and it is highly contagious.

Symptoms: In the early stages of the disease, the betta fish's body color may turn dark, with the appearance of black spots and lines. The skin becomes rough and swollen, with some scales popping outwards, resembling a pine cone. The base of the scales swells and accumulates a semitransparent fluid. As the disease progresses, the fish's scales will stand on end, the fin bases will become congested, and there will be semitransparent fluid between the fin membranes. When gently pressed, a watery substance may be ejected from the base of the scales, accompanied by the shedding of scales. In the latter stages, the betta fish may also exhibit difficulty breathing, slow swimming, and an upsidedown position with the belly facing up. The fish typically succumbs to the disease within 2 to 3 days.

How to Treat Betta Fish Vertebrae Disease?

Upon discovering that a betta fish has vertebrae disease, it is crucial to isolate the affected fish from healthy ones due to the high contagious nature of the disease. Next, immerse the sick betta fish in a bath of 3% saltwater mixed with 3% baking soda solution, or in a solution of furazolidone powder and gentamicin. Treatment should be administered twice a day, for about ten minutes each session.

For severe cases, the owner can also prepare a medicated feed using tetracycline, administering 30 milligrams per kilogram of fish once daily for a week. It is important to note that before feeding the medicated feed, the fish should be fasting for two days to empty the contents of their intestines.

Important Reminder: To prevent betta fish from contracting vertebrae disease, it is essential to maintain clean water conditions in the aquarium and strictly control water temperature fluctuations (within 2 degrees Celsius). Regularly monitor the betta fish's health, and if any abnormalities are detected, treatment should be initiated promptly.