Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Clamp the plastic container to the inside of the aquarium with binder clamps - this will be your isolation tank. Attach one end of the airline tubing to one of your power head's outlet pipes, and attach the airstone to the other end of the airline tubing (if you don't have a power head, skip this step). Put the airstone in the isolation tank. Attach the betta leaf hammock to the side of the isolation tank, about 1/4 inch below the water level will be (if you're treating a betta splendon). Bettas must travel to the surface of the water to breath from the air, which can exhaust a sick fish - the hammock allows the betta to rest near the surface. Cut the plastic wrap so it will fit over the isolation tank with at least a 1-inch allowance on all sides. Poke small holes in the plastic wrap with a fork. Raise the temperature on your aquarium's heater so your aquarium is heated at a steady 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
Read the minocycline tablets' box to determine how many gallons of water each tablet is meant to treat. Drop 1 tbsp. of water into a baggie for every gallon of water the tablet is meant to treat - for example, if the tablet is meant to treat 10 gallons of water, drop 10 tablespoons of water into the baggie. Drop the minocycline tablet into the baggie with the water and allow it to dissolve.
Fill a bucket with tap water - you must know how many gallons of water the bucket contains. Treat the tap water with dechlorinator as usual, though you may increase the amount of dechlorinator to up to eight drops per gallon, if desired. Add aquarium salt to the tap water, if desired, measuring out 1 tsp. of salt per 5 gallons of water. Aquarium salt is a mild antibacterial and antifungal agent, so adding a small amount to your freshwater fish's tank when the fish is sick may help the fish's healing process. A saltwater or brackish fish will need the salinity ratio recommended for its specific breed. Drop in as many tablespoons of the dissolved minocycline as there are gallons of water in the bucket. Allow the water to "age" for at least half an hour.
Pour the treated water into the isolation tank and turn the air stone on. Allow the water to sit in the isolation tank for at least 15 minutes, preferably longer, to bring the water to the same temperature as the water in the aquarium. Net the sick fish and place it in the isolation tank. Place the cling wrap over the top of the isolation tank and secure it in place with a rubber band.
Change roughly 50 percent of your fish's water in the isolation tank - a greater percentage if possible - twice a day. Maintain your usual water changes in the larger aquarium or even increase them. Withhold food from your sick fish for at least three days. Feed it more lightly than usual after the third day, and gradually increase its intake over a few days until it's eating the usual amount.
Watch for the edges of your fish's fins to see signs of growth, such as a smoother and whiter edge to the fins. Watch your fish for signs of easier movement, clear eyes and increased energy. Remove your fish from the isolation tank and place it back in the aquarium when it's clear it will be able to swim easily and its fins have shown signs of significant growth.