The main sign of a betta fungal infection is white blotchy patches on the body and head of the betta. Your betta may start rubbing itself against objects in the aquarium. General reactions to illness will also occur, such as a loss of colour, loss of appetite, lethargy or clamped fins.

Treatment. Give all infested fish a freshwater dip, followed by a formalin bath and continue treatment in a quarantine tank. Praziquantel has been used with some success to treat affected fish in quarantine tanks.

Black patches on a goldfish sometimes signify that his tank water was overdue for a change. Fish waste, uneaten food and plant debris create ammonia, a toxic chemical. If tank water isn’t changed frequently enough, ammonia builds up and burns fish skin.

In the early stages of fin rot, the edges of the fins will discolor, appearing milky on the edges. Often this change is so subtle that it goes unnoticed until fraying of the fins or tail begins. As the infection spreads, small pieces of the fins die and begin to fall off, leaving a ragged edge.

If you suspect that your fish may be suffering from fin rot, take a close look at their fins and tail for the following symptoms:

1. Fins or tail appear to have frayed edges.
2. The fin or tail edges have turned white, or even black and brown in some cases.
3. Inflammation at the base of the fin.

It is spread to people and animals through contaminated aquarium water. All fish are susceptible to mycobacteriosis. This disease is typically slow growing in fish but can affect some fish more quickly.

If you’re overfeeding your betta, they’ll obviously be bloated. (Their stomach is around the gills.) They might also throw up the food they just ate.

Baby bettas, from fry to 4-6 months of age, should be fed food intended for baby fish, not necessarily bettas. Baby fry should be fed 3-5 times per day, very small meals. Depending on the amount of fry in the system, you may need to feed just a few sprinkles or a few heaps.

Dropsy/pineconing: This is not a disease, but it is a symptom of many possible diseases. This refers to a fish that appears to be more round than normal with a distended body cavity. This can be due to high ammonia in the water, low dissolved oxygen, gill damage, heart disease or other problems causing distress.

Depending on the cause, swim bladder disorders may be temporary or permanent. If your fish has a permanent swim bladder disorder, they can still live a full and happy life with some lifestyle modifications. With any buoyancy disorder, you will need to introduce hand-feeding.