Fin rot or something else?

[MissLyss1024]

I ordered two boys off of AquaBid almost two months ago. My DT arrived with shriveled pectoral fins and dorsal and anal fins that are shriveled and crimped looking at the tips. I tried just clean water to no avail. Finally last week I put him in qt with aquarium salt. After just a few days I noticed growth but its growing off of the crimped looking area. It looks strange. And I checked on him today to find his caudal fin torn in two up to his body! There is nothing in his tank that could've done that. Is it fin rot or something else? What should I do now?

[latriana465]

Hi I'm sorry your betta isn't doing well. Do you mind posting a picture so I can see it the problem?

[MissLyss1024]

Housing*
What size is your tank? 1.5 gal qt
What temperature is your tank? 80F
Does your tank have a filter? No
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? No
Is your tank heated? Yes
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? None

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? Haikari Beggars Bio Gold
How often do you feed your betta fish? 3 pellets twice a day

Maintenance*
How often do you perform a water change? 100% every other day in at tank
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change?
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? Prime and 1tsp aquarium salt per gallon

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters? Not in qt tank

Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
pH:
Hardness:
Alkalinity:*

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? Crimped and shriveled fins and now a split caudal
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? No
When did you start noticing the symptoms? When I got him 2 months ago
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? Aquarium salt
Does your fish have any history of being ill? No
How old is your fish (approximately)? 8 months

[AyalaCookiejar]

With his caudal fin, sometimes they can split like that when they flare, and usually the straight splits heal on their own within a few days. I can't help you much with the other fins because I've never dealt with fin rot or anything of the sort, but I can tell you that his fins will grow back but they will not grow back the same as they were before.

[MissLyss1024]

http://i1261.photobucket.com/albums/...1-30123942.jpg

[AyalaCookiejar]

I wouldn't worry about his caudal fin. It looks like a pretty straight split and those usually heal quickly on their own even without AQ salt, but it should help it heal faster. If the AQ salt treatments are working on his other fins, continue using it for no longer than 10 days. Since his fins are growing back and there are no other symptoms, I think he should be okay.

Like I said, they usually don't grow back the same as they were before, but to me, it looks like fin rot so you were already properly treating it with the AQ salt.

[latriana465]

He looks fine. I am guessing it was split from flaring or from stress. Good thing that's all it is! It should heal up fine with clean water and a little aquarium salt.

[MissLyss1024]

I'm keeping him in the aquarium salt for 3 more days but will he continue to heal after that? Maybe I should do more tank cleanings? If he doesn't continue to heal when is it safe to start up a salt treatment again?

[AyalaCookiejar]

He may continue to heal if you keep him in clean, warm water. Water changes are good, but do not to them too often after you finish the salt treatments as you can just stress him. I'm not
sure how long to wait after doing a salt treatment...

I'd say, once you are finished with these treatments monitor him. If his fins start to worsen afterwards, post a brand new thread as you will get better replies.