Abe is showing signs of fin rot (charred looking black/brown edges on his fins, as well as some ragged missing parts), and I read in one of the stickies that the most conservative approach is with aquarium salt.
I'm about to run out and get some, but I also saw in the same sticky that API stress coat is something good to have on hand.
He seems like the kind of fish who is always a little squirrely, despite clean water, proper acclimation, steady temperatures... So I'd like to look into the stress coat. I've been using decaf black tea for tannins (for lack of oak leaves and IAL), which calmed him down quite a bit, but I hate how cloudy and bitter smelling the water gets. However, I still want to use the Aqueon betta bowl plus water conditioner, since I still have quite a bit left.
As I understand it, the API stress coat can be used as a therapeutic measure in repairing fins and calming down bettas, but I can't seem to find more info on it. Since Abe is a pretty delicate temperament AND I'm worried about his fins, I'd rather not use it in the full dosage to dechlorinate. Also, I'd hate to mix the two and have it freak him out or make him sick.
Can I add a few drops in with his normally treated water during partial water changes? He's in a 2.5 gallon tank, and I usually do 50% changes a few times a week with 1 teaspoon per gallon of the Aqueon conditioner. Also, will using this help keep him from being stressed by the salt therapy for his fin rot?
I've also included a picture of his fins, but I can't seem to get him to hold still. His right pectoral fin is missing a small chunk, and his dorsal fin and tail has dark/ragged areas at the ends, that you can differentiate from his normal blue coloring.