I'm not positive if my betta has ich..should i treat it anyway?

Question

its PURE white and it doesnt look like white grains. it looks more like lines and theres not too many spots on him of it..should i treat him anyway for it? or just bring him to the local FISH store and ask what they think?

Answer 1

It kinda depends on your philosophy.  There are definite pros and cons to either, but I would treat IN A QUARAINTE TANK.  If you do not have a quaratine tank (as this will save your biofilter), I wouldn't treat, as you'll then have to re-cycle your tank.  In a quarantine tank, I would use something very broad spectrum, like copper (Coppersafe, Cupramine, Organicure, Aquarisol), as this will have less affect on the fish when dosed properly, and will be effective against virtually all parsites, fungi, and bacteria exposed to it.

Answer 2

Yes!!! Treat him!! Exactly how you described it is how Ich starts out when it is first developing. Treating him even if he doesn't have Ich will not do harm, unless he doesn't have Ich. Less hardy fish may sometimes die of medication, but with bettas, I usually treat my bettas right away after I put them in their tanks, as a disease preventative and cure. Get QuIck Cure, it's the best brand of Ich medicine. Remember, don't overdose, do exactly as the instructions say!! (And don't underdose, because Ichthyophthirius Multifiliis aka Ich is a parasitic infection, and underdosing will cause the weak parasite organisms to die but the strong and killer ones to live and multiply, thus creating even more problems.) Good luck!!