I've just had my orange betta about 2 months. I'm new to betta care and not sure what may have happened. Yesterday I noticed a clear straight line going across the large fin that hangs from his belly area. Today I notice that the fin is tearing away from that line making it shorter. I notice his body is slightly darker than it has been. Last week I tried something new that didn't work well, and I wonder if I caused this to occur. During his weekly 100% change, I left in the gravel and plastic plants and just changed the water. This resulted in long strands of what looked like collected dust (?) remaining in the water and the tank was dirtier last week than normal. Did this cause his fin condition ? What is this caused by and what should I do ? Someone I know suggested to go ahead and give him stess coat in his water. I should note that his water is colder than what is recommended - about 69 degrees - but he is very active anyway and is still eating well.
I always add stress coat/ anti-declorinator to the water. and I know how it sounds but I would try to get a heater for him it would help probably also can you take a picture of his fins?
Housing Stainless steel & glass
What size is your tank? 2 G
What temperature is your tank? 69
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? Top Fin pellets and ants occasionally (more last week than usual)
How often do you feed your betta fish? 2 pellets 2x per day
Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? 100% change 1x per week
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? Water conditioner
Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?
Got the strips - not sure how to read them. Strip kept getting darker long after I dunked it in the H20. Strip said to read about 10 seconds after dunking, should you read THAT color or wait until strip is completely dark later?
Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? Darkened body
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? No - fine after water change. Sluggish before water change.
When did you start noticing the symptoms? Yesterday
How old is your fish (approximately)? Bought him from petstore 2 months ago - his tank is the picture aquarium that I posted if you want to take a look at that post - my camera is not working now to post another photo of his fin at the moment.
Please note - he is NOT sluggish now. He gets sluggish when it is time for his water change. He doesn't mind the cold water, he's very active. But eventually I will get him a heater. So far, I only saw a heater for $25. I'll look around.
oh, that's good at least. i wonder why he gets sluggish before water changes? i have my guy in a 2 gallon, and i do at least 100% plus a 50% once a week.
if he is acting weird/sluggish right before water change, maybe he needs a little bit cleaner water?
you may consider upping your water change schedule..
In a 2g tank, you need to be doing at least two water changes a week, one 50% and one 100%. He's likely getting sluggish before the water change because the bad quality of the water is getting to him. I wouldn't enjoy being in a space filled with ammonia either :/ A heater is real cheap if you can get to wal-mart. I know you think he doesnt mind the cold water, but his system is suffering for it. He'll have a much shorter lifespan. Think of how much more active he would be if he was warmer, at the 76-82F range :)
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