Velvet is a common parasite among betta fish and unfortunately kills many betta fish due to simple lack of hygiene on the owner’s part. Velvet is caused by the parasite Oodinium, which is an algae parasite. Many betta die to this disease before the owner even knows something is wrong, so it’s very important to always keep your betta’s tank clean and to pay attention to your betta fish’s behavior.
Symptoms:
Fish betta’s will always act differently than healthy betta fish. They will be less active, have less vibrant colors, lose their appetite, and sometimes be seen rubbing up against objects in their tank. Betta fish with velvet will have what looks like a gold or rust colored dusting on their fins. This can sometimes be hard to spot and can be made easier by shining a flashlight on the betta’s body.
Treatment:
Velvet is very, very contagious, so if you’re housing your betta with other fish it’s best to treat the whole tank for the disease. The first step is to eliminate light and raise the tank temperature. The velvet parasite thrives on light and cool temperatures so this will discourage the parasite from growing. Do a complete tank water change, and add aquarium salt or a betta tank conditioner to ensure that the parasite doesn’t spread. Common medicines for this disease include Aquarisol, Maracide, Malachite Green, and Coppersafe. Be sure to provide frequent water changes after medicating, as long exposure to these chemicals can poison your fish. Also be aware that these medicines can damage other plants and invertebrates that may be living in your tank.
Prevention:
Velvet can be prevented by providing your betta with clean water and a warm, stable temperature. Adding about 1 teaspoon of dissolved aquarium salt per 1 gallon of water can also fight off harmful bacteria in your betta tank.
