There's a thread in the Photos forum, where we post pictures of our 'dream bettas.' I'd have posted Big Blue's picture there. I love his color, and while I'm a 'pet owner,' not a breeder, even I can see that his conformation is wonderful. He's absolutely gorgeous.

Yes he was. He was my FIRST first place winner...one if my eart if my heart fish. Big Blue! Thank you. Things like this make it worth the pain.

Lori, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for investigating this disease & allowing everyone to know the results.

I believe that my blue HM male recently died from this 'mystery disease.' Afterwards, I washed his tank and decorations with a bleach solution.... I then put my new HM into the same tank. He became ill yesterday. I'll continue to try to save him and hope like crazy that he has something else.

I just soaked my 1 gallon QT tank in bleach, then sprayed all surfaces with Lysol. Alcohol is next. After a few days of air drying, if my little HM is still alive, I'll move him into there - and begin the entire disinfection process on his larger tank.

Losing just one fish was heartbreaking for me. I cannot even begin to imagine how breeders such as yourself are dealing with this. Thank you again for investigating this and telling us what was found. (Was the beautiful blue betta in your avatar a victim? I love blue bettas, and he is stunning.)