[Betta06]

Housing:
How many gallons is your tank? 10 gallons
Does it have a filter? Yes
Does it have a heater? Yes
What temperature is your tank? 77-79 F
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? No
Does your Betta have tank mates? What kind? No he doesn’t he’s alone.

Food:
What food brand do you use? Hikari Bio Gold pellets (I realize this isn’t the best), Hikari frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp
Do you feed flakes or pellets? Pellets
Freeze-dried? No
How often do you feed your Betta? How much? Every day, fasting Sundays. 7 pellets each feeding 3x a day, 6 bloodworms Friday with pellets and 7 shrimp on Tuesday with pellets.

Maintenance:
Before your Betta became ill how often did you perform a water change? Once a week
What percentage of water did you change? 50%
What is the source of your water? Tap
Do you vacuum the substrate or just dip out water? Vacuum
What additives do you use other than conditioner? What brand of conditioner? Just Aqua Safe dechlorinater

Water Parameters:
What are your water parameters? Please give exact numbers. If tested by pet store please get exact numbers. "Fine" or "Safe" won't help us help you. Important: Test your water before the regular water change; not after one.

Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 15ppm
pH: 6.0 (I realize it’s low)
Hardness (GH): N/A
Alkalinity (KH): N/A

Symptoms and Treatment:
When did you first notice the symptoms? Late December/Early January
How has your Betta’s appearance changed?
his fins wouldn’t deteriorate. I have seen black edges now there’s white. It’s still mild I think.
How has your Betta’s behavior changed? No
Is your Betta still eating? Yes very well actually.
Have you started treating your Betta? If so, how? Water changes but it didn’t get better in fact the white started just yesterday.
Does your Betta have any history of being ill? In his previous care, yes, they said fin rot and ich (which is gone).
How long have you owned your Betta? 2 months
Was he or she ill or suffering some sort of damage when purchased? He fin nipped before I got him and he is VERY thin. I thought I could help him but his fins are saying otherwise.

Hello I been a long time lurker but I actually might need help.
I been keeping bettas since 2010, rescuing them from people (Like Jalen betta in question) who couldn’t take care of him properly. They let me have him with bad food meaning Hikari.
My tank been set up for 2-3 years. My hospital tank had cracked and now no place to put him. Great! Im on phone so apologies if anything isn’t spelled correctly or doesn’t make sense lol. Anyways, December I noticed some black and I was like “oh crap!” so I did 25% water changes every other day. Late November everything is great! No stress stripes from him other than thin. I thought maybe it’s because bad food or not enough because he began stressing anytime I came near him. I don’t know what I did. Early January he started showing nothing but stress stripes and I don’t understand why. Do I do more water changes? Medicate him in the tank? I just don’t know what to do. I added pics hope they show up Im new unfortunately not under the best circumstances. I hope I did everything correctly. I tend to jump around Im autistic sorry about the semi jump around. Sorry about the wall of text, I tried to get every detail in. He’s still likes to greet me as Im typing this. I will add more silk plants and swap out the plastic they were left over from my African dwarf frogs. They did really well in this tank which is why Im confused with Jalen.

 

[Rose of sharon]

Hi @Betta06, and welcome to the forum!

Jalen's a pretty little boy!

If he has fin rot, it's an extremely mild case. It's nothing to panic over, and should be easily treatable.

I would replace the plastic plants with silk or real ones, like you are planning. Also, check that decor to make sure it doesn't have any sharp edges so Jalen doesn't get his fins caught on it. I would do some 25% water changes every other day for a while.

Adding something to produce tannins would also be very beneficial. Indian almond leaves are good, or alder cones, or even brewing a cup of organic rooibos tea with treated tank water, and adding it to the tank after it cools will work. Some people don't like the look of tannin-rich water (tints the water brown), but tannins provide some antibacterial and antifungal properties that are very helpful for the betta.

You can also dose the tank with some aquarium salt for about 10 days. Don't use it for longer than that because over use will make it ineffective. Just follow the instructions on the package. When you change the water, only add back the amount of salt that you may have taken out with the water change. Don't put back a full dose, or you could accidentally over dose him on aquarium salt. The only way to remove aquarium salt from the tank is through water changes. Make sure that you dissolve the aquarium salt in some tank water in a cup before you add it to the tank. Don't add the salt directly to the tank.


I hope this helps!!! And if you have any more questions, please post them! We're always glad to help!!

 

[Betta06]

Oh thank you very much! I care very much for this boy after adopting him from previous people. I will start on that 25% wc and salt. I actually put some in yesterday. I forgot to mention that sorry. Oh and the “collar” is his skull outline like I said they fed very poorly. Do you think him being skinny is why he can’t kick fin rot by himself? I did up his food intake a bit more than Rocky gets lol. They don’t share a tank they’re across the room from each other. Rocky got bloat issues but that’s under control.

I keep reading about fungal fin rot. White edges and stuff…is it that? It doesn’t coat all the fins, his dorsal fin, the swimming fins (sorry the name escapes me) and the hanging ones untouched. It’s just amazing it’s been this long without deteriorating the fins. I’m going to order IAL just on case I can’t find the plain rooibus tea.
I’ll keep you all posted.

 

[Rose of sharon]

Fin rot can turn into a fungal issue, but that happens because the bacteria has eaten part of the fin away, and the fungus attacks the bad parts. So, starts out as bacterial, and then turns to fungal, so both are happening at the same time. Aquarium salt is really good to fight mild fungal issues, too. So I think that you are doing all of the right stuff.

I can't really tell from the pics that he is really skinny. I would watch him closely.

If you see the rot progressing, the fins receding, white cotton like substances advancing, or black spreading and causing the fins to deterioriate, then and only then would I start dosing with something like api fin and body cure. But it's not necessary at this point.

 

[Betta06]

Oh ok then looks like it’s not fungal, must still be bacterial. I will pick up api fin and body cure just to have on hand. Ive dealt with Columnaris unfortunately wasn’t a good experience. One betta did survive the outbreak she lived an extra 9 months after being cured of columnaris. Im going to pick up IAL I heard they’re at a store, new hospital tank, air stone (meds dissolve oxygen I remember) and fin and body cure. I really hope IAL are really there if not, I’d have to order it and wait for it to ship it being Friday and all. couldn’t find the tea unfortunately. I had went to four different stores. The log is smooth but the castle isn’t dang it. He loves it, he sleeps in it and plays in it. I can show a pic top view of him if you need to see how skinny he is. I saw the pics of bettas top view and he doesn’t look like them. It’s head and then flat body. Im really trying to help him with weight. I will start 25% wc and salt today as I got home late from work last night and he was already in the castle asleep I didn’t wanna scare him.
I do wanna say stress brought this on from something I still don’t know but I’ll do as you suggested thank you so much for the info on how fungus happens I was confused as every article was like “white edges”.

I do have a question on salt, wouldn’t this be day 3 as I added a teaspoon of it in a 1 gallon to pour into his tank on Wednesday? I was under the impression day 1 it goes in day 2 it’s still in there and day 3 change it out and add in again like Im doing today. Sorry Im asking this I just wanna be sure I don’t wanna go over 10 days. I don’t think I ever did the salt right but it didn’t get any worse.

 

[Betta06]

Oh no I spotted bloody tips! Do I need meds now?

 

[Betta06]

I carried out a 25% wc and added back in a bit of salt. Still not deteriorating just some tips turned red. I assume this is blood or inflamed. I don’t have a car or any form of transportation..man struggles of small town. I ordered IAL but I’ll unfortunately have to pick up meds over the weekend. My mom had to work. We share a car. Im home today so I’ll do anything I can. He still eats doesn’t act like his fins are bothering him. Swimming around the tank like always. I wish I had time to pick up fin and body cure today didn’t plan out at all how I wanted it.

Edit: red may or may not be there if it is I read salt will sterilize it. Is it true though?
Edit 2: I don’t see it now…I guess the wc and salt worked. Hoping the IAL comes soon.
Edit 3: yeah it’s gone now took only the tip. Im thinking 25 every day with some salt added back.

 

[Rose of sharon]

I do think that the water changes and the aquarium salt will work, even if you see bloody tips. I have treated my share of fin issues, including the type with bloody fins, and frequent water changes and aquarium salt seems to work miracles.

The fin and body cure is just in case you need it. It's also a good med to have on hand in your betta emergency kit. Just add the Indian almond leaves when you can.

When you have time, another good med that I always recommend to have on hand is methylene blue. I use it in fish baths for fin and body issues that need a little extra something. I think that I have even seen it at Wal-Mart before. Again, just a suggestion, and not something that you absolutely need now.

It's going to be ok. This is not a bad case. I've seen some cases where the fins are gone right up to the body before people have asked for help. And I know what you mean about living in a small town. I have to get everything from Amazon!

You got this!!!

 

[Betta06]

I got fin and body cure just in case. I have MB I haven’t used it since my female betta. Maybe I need a new MB. I’ll order.

I got a new 5 gallon hospital tank. 2 heaters (one is backup) I realize I have carbon in my filter pad so gonna have to cut the pad and dump those carbon stones out before adding the leaves. I can do that it’s fine, done it before.

Thank you for your encouragement! I have decided every day 25% and a bit of salt is the way to go. Every other day fin rot (which it appears to be now) shows a NEW symptom. It’s still very slow and only claimed the tips that were red everything is still good. It’s still extremely mild. I did notice after yesterday the water change and salt seemed to knock out the bloody tips quickly as it came. Im guessing this is day 2 of adding salt. He still very energetic and willing to eat. It’s like Jalen doesn’t know he’s got bad fins. I noticed the bitten off parts seem untouched. You can’t see it because he folds his tail over it. I do see the bites and they look to be kind of healing? How is that possible?? He’s got fin rot too. This fish is a fighter healing and got fin rot together. I never experienced bloody tips before so yeah freaked me out. It’s trying to be moderate
I won’t let it. I need new items for my betta first aid kit.

Update: I did 25% and salt and some bloody tips do seem to be slowing down on grabbing a new tip.
sorry this is long I did a water change in the middle of typing this.

I feel like I got a hold on it till IAL come which is tomorrow or Monday the latest.

 

[Feanor]

This is definitely a very mild case, so I second recommendations to only use salt and Indian Almond Leaves.

So I can only add, that you could file down any sharp edges in the castle and post any new photos as Thumbnails, as this will allow members to enlarge themselves without getting blurred impressions.

It would look like this and you just have to click on Thumbnail when posting:

 

[Betta06]

Sorry he’s so hard to get a pic of.. but here’s the update on our fin rot. Hope it works. I tried my best to get a good one. The best I can get the dark are blood by the way but it’s slowing down with daily wc.

Thanks for the help!
I don’t know what all the wispy stuff is..I assure there’s nothing wispy on his fins or body. Might be something in the water.

 

[Betta06]

Ok so this is a positive update! He hasn’t had a stress stripe since I started every day wc. Hmm but my water is good. Ammonia/Nitrite both 0 ppm or is there something else at play here? He feels better he no longer stresses out over me coming over to the tank or anywhere near it. I feed till his stomach is slightly rounded. Things are looking up. He has happy colors on and the natural red (not to be confused with blood) has finally showed on the anal fin. Still a tiny tiny bit of deteriorating but nothing he can’t regrow when fin rot leaves completely. I expect a bit of deteriorating before beating this brat (fin rot) completely. It’ll be fine it’ll be if anything when this is over, tiny bit of regrowth because he won’t lose much if any of the fins.

 

[Rose of sharon]

Sounds great!!! So glad he is recovering quickly!! 💕

 

[Betta06]

So looking at him not much happening in the deterioration department. He’s still getting wc though that stresses him but he tends to get over it quickly. He is crapping more which is good not that Jalen had constipation issues. Waiting for the IAL not sure it’s today or tomorrow. It’s still mild enough that tannins will help. Oh and I’ll snap a pic I think there is less white than there was but I need help confirming. So if anyone can tell from Jan 26 when I posted and today would be great. I think he is improving I know his color has. Also really hard to get a pic of is the nipped areas but they’re also growing back I see a tiny spike in there. No more blood no more deterioration and less white but need help confirming. I will add both in this post.

@Rose of sharon and @Feanor would like to personally thank you both in helping this stressed out betta mom taking care of Jalen.

Today you can see the red that came back.

Jan 26

sorry he’s really hard to get a pic of.. he’s just a zoom fish. Oh and he’s got some weight back. so here’s a pic of that.

probably can see the fins better here. Ok can’t see his weight but take my word for it. Im in the process of buying silk plants just wanted fin rot gone first.

 

[Rose of sharon]

You are very welcome, @Betta06! I'm always glad to help!

I think that you are right in that there is a bit less white then before, from what I can see.

Fin regrowth is usually translucent, and then the translucent parts will color up again.

I think you are doing a good job with him.

How do you do water changes? Are you taking him out, or do you leave him in the tank while changing the water?

It's best to leave the fish in the tank when doing water changes instead of taking him out. I use a small gravel vac, and work around my fish. They usually get out of the way, but with bettas being as curious as they are, they can get in the way too. I sometimes have to shoo them away so I can suck out the old tank water, lol!

It may take a few times, but they get used to the routine after a while.

 

[Betta06]

I leave him in he just hates it he thinks Im chasing him with the vacuum which Im not. Yeah thank you for helping confirm there’s definitely less white than yesterday looking at yesterday’s pic and Jan 26. I hope once this beast is gone it NEVER comes back.

 

[Betta06]

Hello so an update from this morning. He looks better. I thought the white left but when the light hits it, shows it up so it’s there I was excited for a minute good game fin rot…good game.
Nothing worse happened, still no blood, extra blackened tips or deteriorating tips. White is hidden unless light hits it you gotta look REALLY close to see it. So definitely no change in its appearance but also no new symptoms and today WOULD have been new symptom day if I didn’t get on it with salt and daily wc. I thought I saw a cottony tuft but no it was how the light hit the white tip…whew. Crisis averted yall. He still has white tips on the tail so yes sometimes the light makes it look weird. Though it’s getting a bit better Im still nervous fin rot can act up and do something during the night, wake up and look worse. I don’t know how it would as I wc/salt every 24 hours to keep it in check. Im just paranoid about it I guess that’s all. I don’t want it to act up and do something.

 

[Rose of sharon]

I think it's all going to be ok. You are doing the right things. It may just take a little time. The most important thing now is to just keep up with the water changes. And I wouldn't use the aquarium salt for more than 10 days in a row. If you over use it now, it may not work the next time you need it, like over dosing antibiotics.

All long finned bettas have fin issues now and then. It's just part of keeping them. The fins are delicate, so they get ripped, torn, caught on things...pristine water goes a very long way in preventing many illnesses.

Again, you are doing a great job!!

 

[Betta06]

I’ll stop the salt. Im thinking daily wc it will be from now on. It’s not any worse and the leaves should come today. Im thinking pristine water will do the trick since fin rot isn’t showing any new symptoms.

I still do wonder what Jalen was stressing over..it’s a mystery but whatever it was daily wc are making him feel better. I don’t know what’s in the water besides aqua safe to dechlorinate the water. My mom’s cats don’t bother him. Maybe he felt fin rot and was trying to tell me. It makes sense he had fin rot when I took him home late November from previous care but it looked under control until he started stressing non stop early January. The unknown stressor doesn’t bother him in the 24 hours before and after the water changes. Could he be immunocompromised? I mean the previous owner got him from Petco. Bettas from places like that are mass bred. I mean if he’s immunocompromised I won’t mind doing 25% wc daily for the rest of his life if needed. I heard mass bred like bettas have health issues and not great immune systems.

Since the leaves are coming or should be Im gonna get the carbon out of my filter media. MB came so I’ll put it in the first aid with fin/body cure med tin box. How many leaves do I put in a 10 gallon? I should have a pack of 50 leaves. It was like $15.

 

[Rose of sharon]

You are absolutely correct. Mass bred bettas are weak genetically. I am beginning to wonder if that is on purpose. You buy a fish, they last a year, they die, you buy another....and the cycle goes on and on. It's really sad.

About Jalen's stress...do you think that he could see himself in the reflection of the glass of his tank? That happens a lot once the fish reach sexual maturity. Just a guess...

To boost the immune system, try soaking his food in garlic juice. You can make your own, or buy some of that cut garlic soaking in water stored in jars in most grocery stores. There is also a product called Garlic Guard that Seachem puts out as well, but the garlic juice works well.

There's a food out that is already laced with garlic called New Life Spectrum Thera +A. It comes in different sizes, so if you want to look into that, make sure you notice the size of the pellets. The really small pellets are almost like dust.

And there's another product called Vitachem for fish put out by Boyd Enterprises. I have used it before, too, for a fish that was permanently injured. It smells just like orange juice.

These are all decent products that I recommend. The IAL will help, but you have to get that water fairly dark. A slight tint might be ok, but the real health benefits come from the darker water.

I have found that over the years, since I have paid more attention to good nutrition, frequent water changes, tannin rich water, and appropriate temperature, the fish do live longer and have fewer health problems.

Hoping that Jalen gets better very soon!!!