The most common diseases of cockerels – symptoms, treatment

If you own betta fish, commonly referred to as cockerels, you are aware of how beautiful and colorful these little fish can be. However, they are susceptible to health problems just like any other aquatic pet. Maintaining the health and happiness of your cockels depends on your knowledge of the common diseases that can affect them, as well as their symptoms and treatments. Being aware of these issues will enable you to take prompt action to restore your fish to their vibrant state.

Though they have special needs and environments, betta fish can be susceptible to a variety of diseases despite being beautiful fish. Every condition, from velvet disease to fin rot, has its own unique set of symptoms. Early detection of these can significantly impact the treatment’s efficacy. To make sure your fish are happy, you must pay close attention to them and know what to watch out for.

Depending on the disease, different treatment approaches are used, but prompt intervention is always crucial. There are various actions you can take to treat and prevent these common illnesses, such as changing the water’s parameters, giving them medication, or altering their diet. You can support the health and continued enjoyment of your cockels’ vivid beauty by being knowledgeable and proactive.

Fin rot

Bad water, which can result from a malfunctioning filter or siphon, an overcrowded aquarium, or neglectful cleaning, is a common cause of fin rot. Fish to fish can contract the bacterial disease. It is evident that the fins are adhered to one another because of their worn and decayed appearance. Other signs include changes in color, body ulcers, and lethargic behavior.

The cockerel will die soon if nothing is done. Once the disease’s initial symptoms have been observed, it is imperative to:

1. Remove the individual with a separate net and place it in a container with clean water suitable for keeping fish.
2. Completely empty the aquarium, wash with hot water without soap, clean the corners from accumulated dirt.
3. Rinse the contents and keep in hot water for 10 minutes, put live plants in warm water. Then dry everything in the air.
4. Use the hottest water possible to clean the soil.
5. A cleaned and dry aquarium is filled with dechlorinated or conditioned water, with a temperature of 26-27 degrees.
6. The water filter is washed from mucus in the aquarium water.
7. Before putting the fish in, you need to measure the pH level, its value should be within 7-8. The volume of ammonia, nitrites and nitrates should not exceed 40 parts per million (ppm).
8. After settling the inhabitants of the aquarium, including the sick betta fish, an antibacterial or antifungal drug is added to the water, for example AntiBak.

Antibacterial agents are used if cleaning is ineffective, the person becomes worse after a few days, and they are essentially unable to swim.

• Biomycin;
• Streptocide;
• Malachite green and others.

The course of treatment lasts sixty days, and the medications are taken as directed. Products with organic dyes should be avoided as they endanger a variety of fish species. You can add a few drops of tea tree oil or 20g/4l of table salt to the water as a preventative measure.

After treatment, it’s critical to give pets oxygen; an air compressor or sprayer is installed to do this.

Ichthyophthirius

The ciliated infusoria is the causative agent of ichthyophthirius, also known as "white semolina," in cockers. A sick person, equipment, or live food can all harbor parasites. Hard water and low temperatures are also thought to cause stress, which is linked to the disease. About four to six days following infection, symptoms of the illness become apparent. The pathology presents as:

• a white coating on the skin, gills, fins, outwardly resembling semolina;
• rapid breathing;
• loss of appetite;
• friction against plants and other objects;
• lack of reaction to irritants.

Ichthyophthirius is not regarded as a serious illness; to treat it, the contaminated cock is kept in a different container with water that is kept at a temperature of thirty degrees. Antipar, Bicillin-5, and malachite green are used as treatments. The same water is mixed with salt.

Exophthalmia

Should your betta have an enlarged or protruding eye, you ought to check the water’s nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia levels. A partial replacement of the same-temperature liquid is necessary for high readings in order to prevent stress and further protrusion.

In addition to hardness and an improper pH level in the water, other factors that are thought to be the cause of the illness are:

Mycobacteriosis

The treatment for "fish tuberculosis" consists of a lengthy course of antibiotics, following which vitamin supplementation is required. A cured cockerel’s eyes do not go back to normal, and medication merely makes him unfit for breeding.

Aeromonosis, pseudomonosis, viral infection

Ascites, ruffled scales, exophthalmos, and the appearance of red spots are all common symptoms of these diseases. Antibak-250 is used as a treatment; it is very effective at the exophthalmos stage, and additional therapy is essentially pointless at this point.

Protozoal or helminthic invasions

The type of worm determines which medication is best. Praziquantel, Biltricide, and Azinox all eradicate helminthiasis. If required, betta fish prescriptions can be substituted with items from a general or veterinary pharmacy.

Dropes

Ascites can be brought on by bacterial and viral infections, improper feeding practices, metabolic disorders, and the Ichthyosporidium fungus.

Apart from a swollen abdomen, appetite loss, and lethargic behavior, the outward manifestations of dropsy in betta fish consist of:

• ruffled scales;
• redness on the belly or fins;
• ulcerative lesions;
• bruises;
• long white feces;
• rapid breathing;
• bulging eyes and lightening of the gills;
• fluid accumulated in the organs, leading to discoloration.

Betta fish mostly die as a result of drops. Oral medications such as Furan-2, Sera ectopur, Sera bakto tabs, Sera baktopur direct, and Sera cyprinopur can be used to treat the disease in its early stages. The ideal water temperature is between 26 and 28 degrees.

The cockerels are put to death and the aquarium and its contents are cleaned if the therapy doesn’t work.

Oodinosis

The illness in cockers is brought on by inadequate care, hypothermia, and infection from other people. The primary symptom of oodinosis is a yellow coating on the body; additional indications include:

• breaking and ruffled scales;
• paleness;
• rapid breathing;
• drooping and stuck together fins.

The following treatments are available for "velveteen disease": Ichthyof, Formamed, Antipar, and water condenser Seraoodinopur. Even if one betta fish is ill, the others will contract the disease if the medications are not given to them. Disinfecting the aquarium and its accessories is done. The temperature of the water is raised during the quarantine.

Columnariosis

The illness is brought on by fish overcrowding, an increase in organic matter, and premature feeding. The "oral fungus" shows up as an enlargement of the area beneath the gills, without the usual scaling and bulging eyes associated with ascites.

• lethargy;
• secrecy;
• a dark coating on the gills;
• the appearance of a coating on the fins and in the mouth area;
• deformation of the muzzle;
• lack of reaction to irritants;
• compression of the fins;
• an unnatural way of swimming with worm-like movements;
• refusal to eat, weight loss and the appearance of a hump due to a sunken belly;
• clouding of the eyes.

While the bacteria will actively multiply in the general aquarium, diagnosing the disease is not always simple and there may not be any obvious signs. In the worst situation, the inhabitants perish in two days; in a mild case, 1-2 betta fish will perish each month.

External signs distinguish columnaris from saprolegnia. The latter has a mold that resembles cotton wool and shows visible threads. The plaque in the first instance is smooth and consistent. Its localization sets it apart from helminthic invasions; with columnaris, the fish only have damage to their mouth and fins and do not scratch themselves on plants or equipment. Additionally, it’s critical to distinguish between pregnancy and obesity, ascites and abdominal swelling, and tuberculosis and the pseudo-tuberculosis form.

Antibiotics other than tetracycline are theoretically possible for treating cockels, but in practical terms, they will not have a significant enough impact. Adequate pharmacy items are taken into account:

• Tetracycline;
• Metacycline;
• Doxycycline.

Doxycycline (2 capsules/100 l) and Beseptol-480 (1.5 tablets/100 l) can be used in combination in epidemic situations. In extreme circumstances, the first drug’s dosage may be increased up to twice while the second drug’s dosage stays the same.

Every day, 30% of the water must be replaced, and medication must be added at the rate of 0.5 tablets per 100 liters of Biseptol-480 and 1 capsule per 100 liters of Doxacillin. The main result of the gill form is death, but you can attempt to save the lives of cockers by first immersing them in a concentrated salt solution (5–10 g / 1 l) and gradually increasing the salt content.

You can use products that aid in the healing process on the third day of the illness’s treatment. Propolis extract (1 h.l / 100 l), added every other day, is appropriate for this. The cockers may scratch in response, but this is common and usually goes away in 30 minutes. Following treatment, biofiltration must be initiated or monitored to make sure the liquid doesn’t contain ammonia or nitrates.

The aquarium’s light should be turned off, and windows facing the sun should be closed for the duration of the five to seven day therapy. To avoid destroying the vegetation, it is turned on for two to three hours each day before feeding and changing the water.

Mycobacteriosis

The gram-positive rod Micobacterium piscum is the disease-causing agent in cocks. It affects the internal organs, causing multiple illnesses at once. The microorganism can enter aquariums through fish, contaminated equipment, contaminated water from another aquarium, and plants and soil from reservoirs.

Among the symptoms are:

• lethargy;
• drooping tail;
• refusal to eat;
• lying fish on the bottom with head and tail raised;
• exhaustion;
• loss of scales and formation of ulcers;
• black spots on the body;
• bulging eyes;
• darkening of the eyes.

The illness can linger anywhere from a few days to several months. The betta fish then perishes. Individuals who are infected are eliminated, and a 3% chloramine or 5% bleach solution is used to disinfect the inventory. Individual therapy is something you can attempt, but the outcomes are rarely favorable. Counseling takes place in a different container. For ten days, 30 mg/l of either monocycline or doxycycline is added to the water. Tetracycline 0.2 g/10 l and Oxytetracycline 150 mg/10 l are additional options. After 30 days, the course is offered again. Sick bettas are used in the aquarium to perform ozonation.

Kanamycin or rifampicin should be given once a day in one feeding. For 30 to 60 minutes, bloodworms are soaked in a solution containing the latter at a dose of 1 g per 100 milliliters of liquid. The identical goods are added to water. In the event that the person declines food, the recommended dosage for water is 3g/100l of Kanamycin and 600mg/100l of Rifampicin.

Viremia (carp rubella)

The illness, which is caused by a virus belonging to the rhabdovirus family, is seasonal and typically manifests itself in the spring.

It is thought that infections from other people and nitrogen compound poisoning are the causes. Hemorrhages do not always show up on cockerels of the same hue; they also do not show up on emerald, blue, purple, lilac, or turquoise colored cocks. Rubella can be identified externally in white fish. The spots are localized close to the chest or head. The indications additionally comprise:

• swelling of the body;
• ruffling of scales;
• lethargy and loss of appetite;
• exophthalmos of one or both eyes.

A yellow liquid buildup that appears to contain blood is visible after opening the betta fish. The liver’s color varies; it can be pale in some areas and contain blood clots in others. Rubella is treated with Sera Bactopur Direct; ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates must be tested in pre-fluids.

Like other aquarium fish, cockers are susceptible to a number of common diseases that can harm their physical appearance and general health. For prompt and efficient treatment, it is essential to recognize the typical symptoms of these illnesses, which include behavioral changes, unusual spots or lesions, and poor eating habits. In order to keep your aquatic companions healthy and happy, this article will walk you through recognizing these signs, examining the most prevalent illnesses that affect cockers, and providing helpful guidance on how to treat and prevent these conditions.

Injuries

Cockerel injuries can occur from fights, sharp stones, or beautiful scenery.

A minor wound on the cock will heal on its own if the aquarium’s water is of a high quality. You must assist us as the pet has suffered severe damage.

You must look through the contents and keep an eye on the neighbors’ behavior to prevent this. Male Petushkovians frequently behave aggressively toward one another and other people. As a result, holding is not advised by together men’s fish. Women tend to be more peaceful and have fewer conflicts than men. Roughtails, fins, and scales indicate external injuries. Should the harm be minimal, the fish cockseed ought to progressively recuperate by itself. In order to guarantee that mechanical damage heals quickly, use:

• Methylene blue;
• Melafix;
• Black tea;
• Peat extract;
• Table salt 3g/1l.

Administer an antibiotic ointment or a diluted iodine solution to severe wounds. An antiseptic such as furatsilin or manganese diluted in a small amount can also be used to store the cock. Wounds can become infected due to hard water and poor chemical composition, which is why they don’t heal quickly or get infected by fungi.

It’s critical to differentiate illnesses that result in ulcers on the body from mechanical damage. If the pathogen is such that cleaning, rest, and treatment are insufficient to treat it, you may need to use baths containing antibiotics.

Prevention

Only good aquarium and fish care, which entails observing the following guidelines, can lower the risk of all diseases:

1. Washing hands with soap before and after working with pets.
2. In different aquariums, the same equipment is not used, or it is disinfected after each use.
3. The inhabitants should not be overfed, despite the fact that they seem hungry after eating the norm. Live food should be of high quality.
4. To avoid hypothermia, it is necessary to monitor the temperature of the liquid.
5. It is important to observe not only the compatibility of fish, but also not to overpopulate it.
6. You cannot keep plants that you brought from water bodies yourself.
7. New soil should be disinfected before laying.
8. Pets should be allowed to spawn and maintain their health with vitamins.
9. New individuals, especially foreign ones, are kept in a separate container for 1 – 3 months. During this time, the condition of the pet is carefully monitored.

A third of the water must be changed on a regular basis; the capacity dictates how often this needs to happen. Regularly clean the plants, decorative elements, and bottom. Following every meal, any leftovers should be cleared out.

As many aquarists have observed, cocks are tough and resilient fish that fight to survive despite any illness; nevertheless, in order to maintain their health, breeders need to adhere to all care guidelines.

Disease	Symptoms and Treatment
Fin Rot	Symptoms: Frayed or discolored fins. Treatment: Perform regular water changes, use antibacterial medication, and ensure good water quality.
Ich (Ichthyophthirius)	Symptoms: White spots on the skin and fins, scratching against objects. Treatment: Increase water temperature slightly and use an ich medication.
Columnaris	Symptoms: White or grayish patches, frayed fins, and lesions. Treatment: Use antibiotics and maintain clean water.
Dropsey	Symptoms: Swelling, scales protruding like a pine cone. Treatment: Isolate the fish and use anti-bacterial medication.
Velvet Disease	Symptoms: Gold or rust-colored dust on the skin, fish rubbing against objects. Treatment: Use anti-protozoan medication and improve water conditions.
Swim Bladder Disorder	Symptoms: Difficulty swimming, floating or sinking. Treatment: Adjust diet, ensure proper water conditions, and consider medication if bacterial infection is suspected.

Taking good care of Betta fish, also known as cockerels, requires awareness of common ailments and constant observation. Maintaining the health and happiness of your fish can be greatly impacted by being aware of the symptoms of diseases like velvet, ich, and fin rot. Regular observation of your fish’s appearance and behavior is crucial for early detection.

Using the right medications in conjunction with bettering tank conditions is often necessary to treat these diseases. For example, while ich may require a salt bath or temperature adjustment, fin rot typically responds better to cleaner water and antibacterial treatments. Conversely, velvet frequently needs particular anti-parasitic medications. Always make sure the treatments you’re using are appropriate for the particular illness, and carefully follow the directions.

You can drastically lower the likelihood of your Betta fish becoming sick by being proactive and knowledgeable. Disease prevention primarily involves proper feeding, regular tank maintenance, and a stress-free environment. Your cockerel can flourish and show off the bright health that makes them such a satisfying addition to your aquarium with the correct care.

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