[LeoTheLakerBetta]

Ok so I posted this problem recently before but it did not get answered so here goes again. My delta tail male, Spud, has a problem. I think his fins are shrinking! They are a tinge of red at the tips and there is a clean peice missing. It looks like it has regrowth (clear fins), but it has been getting more and more distinct.

What size is your tank? 2.5 gallon.
What temperature is your tank? 78 degrees F.
Does your tank have a filter? Yes.
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? Just filter output.
Is your tank heated? Yes.
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? None.

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? Top Fin betta pellets.
How often do you feed your betta fish? Twice daily.

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? Once a week.
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? 100%
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? Stress Coat

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?
Yes
Ammonia: Test strips dont give ammonia :O
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0ppm
pH:7.2
Hardness: 75 ppm
Alkalinity: 80 ppm

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? Fins seems to be clamped and shrunken; also a little reddish tinge on tips.
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? Eats normally just likes to be in his cave a lot lately.
When did you start noticing the symptoms? Monday so 2 days ago.
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? No, although I thought of adding Pimafix because it says treats reddening of fins and body..
Does your fish have any history of being ill? No.
How old is your fish (approximately)? Dont know but I got him a few weeks ago.

Here is a picture. Let me clarify his belly is not swollen it is just his little fins on the side of his body that move fast and make his belly look big lol. And also a pic of him before this...

 

[sunstar93]

He might have fin rot. If they are getting shorter then there is probably something going on! I also think that the clamped fins are a symptom of fin rot as well. My guy had fin rot when I bought him and it is definitely not fun to deal with! I'm sure others can probably suggest some medications to help it but one big thing is to make sure he has really clean water. For a couple weeks I did a 75% water change every day and tried to reduce his stress level. Like I said earlier, I'm sure that others can offer some better advice but if it is (IMO) fin rot, the #1 best thing is lots of clean water!
Hope he gets better soon!!

(also, not trying to be a smartypants or anything, but does your Stress Coat also double as a water conditioner? Just curious!)

 

[LeoTheLakerBetta]

Thank you for the reply! I had a feeling it was fin rot, altough I wasn't sure. If I have time tomorrow after school, I will do a 100% water change and add AQ salt. I don't know exactly what the amount of salt per gallon? Also anything I am missing for treatment of fin rot?

 

[cjz96]

Thank you for the reply! I had a feeling it was fin rot, altough I wasn't sure. If I have time tomorrow after school, I will do a 100% water change and add AQ salt. I don't know exactly what the amount of salt per gallon? Also anything I am missing for treatment of fin rot?

1tsp of Aq. salt per gallon. Make sure the water is extra clean and there isn't anything sharp in the tank.

 

[LeoTheLakerBetta]

Thank you! I'll try and do that tomorrow.

 

[sunstar93]

At least out of all the diseases your betta can get, fin rot is not the worst thing they can get. Hope all goes well and his fins grow out again. He certainly is beautiful!

 

[sainthogan]

Also, you should normally be doing more than 1 water change for a tank that size, here is a helpful link on this forum about that: http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=115758

But with fin rot, you will want to do them even more often.