I just got home from a three day trip, and Xavier isn't doing well again. He's always been weaker and has had numerous problems with his swim bladder as well as a curved spine, but I do my best to keep him comfortable. He's having problems with SBD again, AND has has developed fin rot. My question is, how do I treat him for both these problems? Should I give him Epsom salt first or AQ salt?
Treating fin rot AND swim bladder at the same time?
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Is there a way to get a picture of him?
Go ahead and start him on Epsom, as AQ salt (for the rot) could make any SBD issues worse..
1tsp per gallon, daily 100% water changes, usually takes 8-10 days for SBD to clear up.
If you are able to post pictures, we can go from there in helping to point to the right medication, if needed, to help him with his rot while working on the SBD. But I hesitate to put him on medicines unless needed, as those aren't always the best for the fish.
Go ahead and start him on Epsom, as AQ salt (for the rot) could make any SBD issues worse..
1tsp per gallon, daily 100% water changes, usually takes 8-10 days for SBD to clear up.
If you are able to post pictures, we can go from there in helping to point to the right medication, if needed, to help him with his rot while working on the SBD. But I hesitate to put him on medicines unless needed, as those aren't always the best for the fish.
Sorry I didn't fill this out before...I was in a rush to leave. I know what's wrong with him, and the appropriate meds and doses I just wasn't sure if they would have negative effects on him since he has both issues at once.
Housing
What size is your tank? 2.5 gallons.
What temperature is your tank? 80* F.
Does your tank have a filter? No.
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? None.
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? Hikari betta pellets and frozen bloodworms.
How often do you feed your betta fish? 2 pellets twice daily. If fed anymore he gets extremely bloated and his SBD starts acting up. Once a week he gets a small bit of frozen bloodworms and the day after he is fasted. On Friday he didn't eat most of his bloodworms after they sank according to my brother who fed him incmy absence. Today I found most of them on the bottom of the tank, my guess is that the SBD was already a problem and he couldn't get to them. He normally eats all his food and my brother said he still seems to have an appetite. I haven't fed him today in fear of making his problems worse.
Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? Twice weekly.
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? One 50% mid week, 100% weekly.
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? API Stresscoat Plus
Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?
Ammonia: 0.
Nitrite: 0.
Nitrate: 0.
pH: Constant 7.6.
Hardness: N/A.
Alkalinity: N/A.
Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? A few weeks ago he somehow managed to rip his tail. I looked everything over and removed one silk plant that I thought may be the culprit. The wound appeared to be healing, but now all his rays seem to be rotting away. It looks like I've caught it rather early.
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? He can't swim down, though he's always been a floater due to his health problems. His spine is rather curved which often causes him to swim tilted upwards. It's not a serious deformity but he doesn't move much and instead wedges himself in his silk plants and hides most of the time unless it's time to eat or I go to the front of the tank.
When did you start noticing the symptoms? Today.
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? He's been cupped so he doesn't have to struggle as much, Epsom salt will be added as soon as I mixed it up.
Does your fish have any history of being ill? History of SBD. He never seems to get constipated when he has it, just floaty and miserable.
How old is your fish (approximately)? Unknown, he was purchased from Petco back in October.
My camera is in the shop so I can't get pictures right now. I'll see if I can find my mom's camera though. Thanks for the help...I feel horrible for him.
Housing
What size is your tank? 2.5 gallons.
What temperature is your tank? 80* F.
Does your tank have a filter? No.
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? None.
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? Hikari betta pellets and frozen bloodworms.
How often do you feed your betta fish? 2 pellets twice daily. If fed anymore he gets extremely bloated and his SBD starts acting up. Once a week he gets a small bit of frozen bloodworms and the day after he is fasted. On Friday he didn't eat most of his bloodworms after they sank according to my brother who fed him incmy absence. Today I found most of them on the bottom of the tank, my guess is that the SBD was already a problem and he couldn't get to them. He normally eats all his food and my brother said he still seems to have an appetite. I haven't fed him today in fear of making his problems worse.
Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? Twice weekly.
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? One 50% mid week, 100% weekly.
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? API Stresscoat Plus
Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?
Ammonia: 0.
Nitrite: 0.
Nitrate: 0.
pH: Constant 7.6.
Hardness: N/A.
Alkalinity: N/A.
Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? A few weeks ago he somehow managed to rip his tail. I looked everything over and removed one silk plant that I thought may be the culprit. The wound appeared to be healing, but now all his rays seem to be rotting away. It looks like I've caught it rather early.
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? He can't swim down, though he's always been a floater due to his health problems. His spine is rather curved which often causes him to swim tilted upwards. It's not a serious deformity but he doesn't move much and instead wedges himself in his silk plants and hides most of the time unless it's time to eat or I go to the front of the tank.
When did you start noticing the symptoms? Today.
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? He's been cupped so he doesn't have to struggle as much, Epsom salt will be added as soon as I mixed it up.
Does your fish have any history of being ill? History of SBD. He never seems to get constipated when he has it, just floaty and miserable.
How old is your fish (approximately)? Unknown, he was purchased from Petco back in October.
My camera is in the shop so I can't get pictures right now. I'll see if I can find my mom's camera though. Thanks for the help...I feel horrible for him.
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