First betta having problems!

[SecondmateFlint]

I know I've been posting a lot lately but I'm just really worried about my betta. Before he was in a one gal tank with an under gravel filter and I noticed his fins started to look funny. I switched him on Sunday to a five gal tank and saw how bad his fins were. They were frayed and splitting and the two front fins had white tips. I got him some aquarium salt and medication so I put in 40 drops (eight drops/gallon, five gallons) but after reading some posts I think I overmedicated him. Should I change his water?

He seems happy and he's eating but his fins are getting worse. What should I do?

[truthequalslies]

white tipped front fins are normal and natural,,,i would change his water and only add aquarium salt to heal his fins for 5 gal tank it calls for 1 tablespoon of aquarium salt make sure you dissolve the salt before adding it,,,do you have any plastic plants or sharp or rough decorations? because they could have frayed his fins

[SecondmateFlint]

I will clean out most of his water tomorrow. I don't have a pitcher so I will have to figure something out. I'm just worried it's fin rot. He had the fraying fins before I switched him to the bigger tank. I have a plastic plant but the top was out of the water and he liked to sit in there.

[truthequalslies]

fin rot looks like this

[SecondmateFlint]

I'm not sure if it looks like that. They look shredded and torn. I guess what got me worried was that first it was his caudal(?) fin then next time I looked ALL of his fins were like that. He has plastic plants but I might switch to a leafy plant.

[BettaxFishxCrazy]

White or clear tipped fins also means that the fin is growing and it'll eventually get the color back. I would get a silk plant and a safe hiding place for him. Petco and Petsmart have good decor hiding places IMO or you can make your own. I would get rid of all the medication and get aquarium salt and start giving him salt baths. That will heal his fins right up. I always start with aquarium salt first and only use medication when necessary because some bettas are very sensitive to medications and it could make them worse.

[SecondmateFlint]

I will clean out his tank and water today and get him something soft tomorrow. How do I give him salt baths? I added the aquarium salt to his tank but with the new clean water I will add some more. Thank you all so much for the help. I hope his fins stop tearing and he gets all better! He could be tailbiting for all I know.

[vaygirl]

Get yourself a couple of spring water jugs, empty them and use them for changes. I keep them in a bucket in my kitchen and use them for only water changes. It's so much easier then a pitcher.

[SecondmateFlint]

That's a really good idea! I just used my old one gallon tank and replaced 2 1/2 gallons with clean water. I think that might have to do for now (living in a really small dorm). Thank you everyone for all the help and suggestions. I hope a half water change (didn't want to stress him out TOO much) is good and next week I will do another. Thanks again!

[Romad]

Hope he recovers ok. And I love his name - awesome!