Betta Fin Rot

[minkymink]

My Betta has mild/moderate fin rot and he's currently in a filtered 5 gallon. I've read in many places that you should do a 100% water change and clean all decorations/rocks. My question is, wouldn't that remove all of my bacteria and cause my ammonia to go way up?

[Matilda]

I would do at least a 50% water change. I don't see why you should have to clean the decorations. Are your water parameters good?

[minkymink]

Originally Posted by Matilda

I would do at least a 50% water change. I don't see why you should have to clean the decorations. Are your water parameters good?

What does that mean?

[Matilda]

By parameters I mean, ammonia, nitrite & nitrate.

[Oldfishlady]

Can you post a pic and/or describe what you are seeing...Also, we need more info...At the top of this section is a sticky with a list of info we need...complete that and add to this thread...The more detailed the better.

As for the 100% water changes-you don't want/need to make 100% in a cycled tank and it is also better to QT in a small container that can be floated in the heated tank to maintain temp when you need to do a treatment-along with premixing the treatment water. This make treating easier and give you more control and ease of observation-plus it can help rule out the environment as a cause.

[minkymink]

Housing
What size is your tank?
5 gallon
What temperature is your tank?
consistent 78 degrees.
Does your tank have a filter?
Yes
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?
Variety of betta pellets and blood worms.
How often do you feed your betta fish?
twice a day, one or two pellets per feeding. Normally skip a day each week.

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change?
50% once a week.
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change?
50%
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change?
API Stress Coat

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?

Ammonia?
Nitrite:.5ppm
Nitrate:0ppm
pH:6.2
Hardness:25ppm
Alkalinity: 40ppm

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed?
Pieces of his caudal fin have been tattering away, moving closer to his body.
How has your betta fish's behavior changed?
It hasn't.
When did you start noticing the symptoms?
About a week ago.
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how?
Adding stress coat, more frequent water changes, and just today I bought some melafix and added a 1/2 tsp to my tank.
Does your fish have any history of being ill?
Clamped fins (if that's an illness).
How old is your fish (approximately)?
Maybe 6 months? No idea.

[Matilda]

If you're showing Nitrites, your tank isn't cycled. Are you using the strips to do water tests? If so, I would recommend getting a Master test kit or at least the liquid tests for Ammonia, Nitrites & Nitrates. They're much more accurate.
Not sure if it's tail/fin rot or perhaps he's a biter. I would recommend upping water changes to at least every other day, preferably with a water conditioner that will detoxify the ammonia, nitrites & nitrates, like Prime.
I might add some salt to the water. It can help with the fin rot & also will help your boy in dealing with the nitrites. Not more then one level teaspoon per gallon.

[minkymink]

I used the strips because for the past few weeks petsmart hasnt had the api master kit. I dont think hes a tail biter, ive never seen him do it. Im currently using malefix and his fin seem to be growing back.

[Matilda]

Originally Posted by minkymink

I used the strips because for the past few weeks petsmart hasnt had the api master kit. I dont think hes a tail biter, ive never seen him do it. Im currently using malefix and his fin seem to be growing back.

Okay then, sounds like he's on the mend!

[minkymink]

I'm concerned now though, my tank has been up and running for about a month now. When do you think it will be completely cycled?