inherited a betta

[Ratty Rex]

My daughter recently left her betta with me. It came to Colorado from Washington state in a tall jar. We put it back into the tank. Had an accident along the way where we had to hand remove it from a sink drain. This was all 2 months ago. Since then it looked fine and acted fine until about 10 days ago when I noticed it was either growing a fungus or new fin growth. The far edges of the fins were getting longer (appeared to be) but with no color. Is that a rot? Additionally it has developed a enlargement under the "chin area" behind the front fins and gills. That was hard to see for a while but now creates the different profile. I haven't gotten a good look at it but I think it is a greyish color.
About a month ago we visited the local pet store where a gentleman told us to use a water conditioner and since we purchased a live plant to use a tiny amount of miracle grow. We had been putting 1 drop into Ratty Rex's 1 quart bowl each week. Could the miracle grow be causing the enlargement?
Our cats were drinking out of his bowl until about a month ago when we covered it. I didn't know how often to change the water so it has been totally changed out only 1 time in two months. Is this the cause of the problem? I plead ignorant.
Please help if possible, Thanks.
Ratty Rex's owner

[fightergirl2710]

Hi Ratty Rex welcome to the forum!
Could you take a picture of the betta's swelling? It's difficult to visualise. :/ And also fill in the form stickied in this section?
I can't say much right now except that he requires a much bigger tank (more than 1.5 gallons at least) and in a quart of water, everyday water changes are necessary. Ammonia builds up fast! A betta needs a minimum 2 gallons, unless in quarantine, when 1 is fine.. Water changes in 2 gallons are one 50% and one 100% water change a week...

[Ratty Rex]

Hi fightergirl,
Thank you for the info. Using the system is difficult for me. I can't seem to find the form at the beginning of the sticky that is talked about. Please give me a clue how to get there. I will fill it out.
Getting a picture from a borrowed digital camera on to this site is just about overwhelming to me. I know it would make everything clear but I don't know when it might happen.
I will start changing out the water more often and I can pull a small aquarium from under my house.
Thanks again,
RRO

[Pataflafla]

Here's what we're asking you to fill out:
Housing
What size is your tank?
What temperature is your tank?
Does your tank have a filter?
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration?
Is your tank heated?
What tank mates does your betta fish live with?

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish?
How often do you feed your betta fish?

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change?
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change?
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change?

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

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

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed?
How has your betta fish's behavior changed?
When did you start noticing the symptoms?
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how?
Does your fish have any history of being ill?
How old is your fish (approximately)?

[Pataflafla]

And for uploading a picture to you posts, there's a little paperclip button in the response. click on it and it will bring up another window. Browse through the photos you have on your computer and choose the one you want. click upload and wait for it to upload and that's as far as you technically need to go.

[Ratty Rex]

Thanks for the help in how to get a picture out there.