I'm new; Lots of questions:

[Lizzy]

First of all, I've had a rough start as not only a first time fish owner, but also as a first time betta owner. When I bought my new baby, Sylvestah, the dumb blonde @ the pet store told me to buy distilled water. He was fine until I found this site. I freaked out and immediately changed his water to spring water. Thus my first question. Can I use filtered water and let it sit out for a day or so to rid of chlorine? Then do you recommend I treat the water somehow, with a dechlorinator or some kind of other treatment? Next question, I don't know if i'm paranoid or if Sylvestah actually has some fuzz on him, is there some way to tell? This fish has really got my nerves on the fritz. Is there anything else I should know being the new owner and all. He's in a one gallon with some gravel and a fake plant. It appears to me that the plant has some sort of strings coming off of it. Could that be what's on him or would that have come off of him and attached to the plant? Sorry this is so long but I'm really in love with my new friend and really worried as well. Thanks.

[AmberD]

If she was using distilled and then spring water, then there probably wasn't chlorine in it. Chlorine also doesn't create "fuzz," it kills fish.

Definitely glad you switched from the distilled water Spring Water should be safe, but it wouldn't hurt to treat with a water conditioner just in case.

Can you see fuzz on the fish? If so, then you might have a case of fungus, which isn't really uncommon, since the stores don't take the best care of their fish. If you can see fuzz, could you try to describe it as best as you can for us? Fungus and columnaris are both "fuzzy" in a way, but they needed to be treated differently.

Do you have salt in your water? 1/4 - 1/2 tsp of aquarium salt per gallon is a good way to keep your fish healthy.

As far as what might be on the plant, is it silk or plastic? I notice sometimes that new silk plants may appear to have a loose string or two, that will hang in the water.

Amber

[rockosmom]

I got Rocko about 2 months ago.....he has been doing great! I have done my research and have learned how to take good care of my betta but Today I noticed some white stuff on his fins. It's not a lot just a tiny bit but I am afraid that it might be fungus. What I want to know is what shoudl I do? Do I need to add aquarium salt or some form of medication? I would like to know as soon as possible, so I can get him taken care of.

Thank you,

Rockosmom

[Lizzy]

Thanks for the quick reply. The fuzz I was originally seeing has disappeared. There is however, another type that remains. It is best described as if he was shedding. Do bettas shed? I dont think they do. Anyways, I think I'll keep a close eye on that. The plant is a silk plant and upon closer inspection (I had the flashlight out and everything) it is just some of the fray from the leaves. Tomorrow I'm heading out to get some water conditioner and some aquarium salt. If there's anything else you all recommend, I'd really appreciate any input. Thanks so much.
Lizzy

[AmberD]

Rocko's Mom: I would add some aquarium salt, at the very least. 1/4 - 1/2 tsp is a good amount, whichever you feel most comfortable with. Is the white stuff fuzzy? Does it look like a grain of salt? If you could describe it the best way possible, then we could help you as well as we can

Lizzy - The only way I can think of a betta shedding is if his slime coat is coming off. This would be caused by severe stress or something in the water... The conditioner and aquarium salt you're getting will hopefully help this.

Amber

[GypsyBetta]

Can you be more specific about how he looks with the shedding? If his scales look loose and sticking out like a pine cone, it could be dropsy.

[Lizzy]

Again, thanks for your concern. All the "shedding" has disappeared. I did add the aquarium salt and he seems to be better. I'm still not convinced that it was really him. I wonder if perhaps if might have been a little dust from on the top of the water. Regardless its gone now and I can relax. But just for more info it did resemble something like a sunburn peeling. It was never severe but must have responded to the salt. Thanks again.