Help with fin rot?

[Saphira101]

Hello guys. I believe my little girl Pi has fin rot. is it too far along to just use the warm, clean water treatment, or do I have to do the salt thing?



Thanks for the help!

~Saphira

[norico]

Salt is help, but if it advance, I have to say you need use medicine.
My fish didn't recovery only salt.

[callistra]

Sorry but we can't see your photos. More info is also needed: http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=49233

[Saphira101]

Housing
What size is your tank? not quite 2 gallons (kritter keeper hospital tank)
What temperature is your tank? room temp (72 F)
Does your tank have a filter? no
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? no
Is your tank heated? no
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? none

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? omega one Betta buffet pellets
How often do you feed your betta fish? once a day, 2 pellets

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? once weekly
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? 75-100
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? API tap water conditioner

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters? I have not tested my water.

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

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? It has not changed, she had finrot when I got her. her fins have blackish gray tips and they look a little like the edges are slowly dissolving. however, it has not worsened since I got her.
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? it has not.
When did you start noticing the symptoms? like I said, she had this when I got her. (12/25/12)
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? No
Does your fish have any history of being ill? N/A
How old is your fish (approximately)?N/A


I hope this helps. also, I can run to petsmart and get her a heater. (I have a gift card)


Now I shall attempt to attach photos again:








I hope these show up!!

[callistra]

Her fins don't look too bad to me. Some bettas have naturally black edges but I do see where some have thinned. She looks like she should be a crowntail.. especially that caudal fin. The most important thing for her is clean water. Stress Coat at 1 ml per 1 gallon will help with fin regrowth.

However I will say she's freezing.. Betas need to be kept between 76-82F, and ideally 78-80. In something of this size you can get a good adjustable 25w heater like Marineland Visitherm or Jager. Any heater you get should get a 24 hour test run in similar size container with in tank thermometer to assure it will hold a stable appropriate temp - go off the thermometer not the heater setting. From there you must acclimate your fish slowly to warmer water at no more than one degree per hour and 5 degrees per day, so it will take a couple days to get her up to temp.

A 2 gallon also needs at least 2 water changes week - one 50% and one 100%. Make sure you use same temp water (use thermometer in running tap to match) fill up changing buckets or jugs (like water jugs you find at the grocery store or 5g buckets at Home Depot) and add conditioner before you subject her to it. I would always include an acclimation period for any 100% changes.

[Saphira101]

Thank you Callistra!!

I really appreciate your help.
I always acclimate her for at least an hour when I do the 100% water changes. I'll run to petsmart tomorrow to get her a heater. I already have some stress coat on hand, thankfully. I'm very glad I won't have to use the salt, as I was a bit nervous about that. I cannot wait to see what tail type she turns out to be.
also, does the stress coat count as conditioner, or do I have to use my regular dechlorinator as well?

Again, thank you for your help.

~Saphira :)

[callistra]

Stress coat does count as conditioner. You don't need to use the other one along with it.

As long as you don't see them getting worse I wouldn't worry about it. :)

[Saphira101]

Yay!
Thank you. If you like, I could keep you posted on her progress...

[callistra]

Of course :)

[Saphira101]

I just bought the heater, but they only had 2 brands total at that store. I ended up getting a Topfin 25 watt adjustable heater. it is however, quite large in comparison to the keeper. here is a picture (sorry they're sideways!)



I also bought two Betta hammocks just because.



Is the heater acceptable?

EDIT: I pulled the wires out of the hammocks.