[nympxzie]

So I just joined this site in hopes that someone has an answer for me, not sure if there is an introduction forum but I will look into that later. For now, I have a problem.
My betta's tail fin was looking torn up I assumed fin rot and began treatment accordingly but as of about yesterday afternoon he began acting sluggish staying at the bottom or the top of the tank only moving around occasionally.
I clean his tank once a week 100% cleaning. The only other things in his tank are a few bamboo plants ment to be gentle on his fins. The water is a constant 78 (F). I just added a heater the other day because before this the temperature was very sporadic causing large drops and raises in the tank, which I assume was is the cause of the rot...so my question is why is he so tired, what am I doing wrong?

 

[BettaBeau]

Hello, and welcome to the forum!

Once a week is probably not enough for water changes. How big is the tank? The heater will help a whole lot, but you should be doing two water changes a week if the tank is 1 to 4 gallons, more if it is smaller.

Also, bamboo is not an aquatic plant, you should take it out and replace it with silk plants or aquatic plants.

 

[nympxzie]

The tank is 2 gallons, I've been doing water changes once a day since I noticed the fin rot. He has a whisper 3i as well. I will begin changing twice a week hopefully he perks up

 

[Bessie]

If you have no filter in the tank, and are only changing 100% of the water once a week, then it is a water quality issue causing the disease. The lack of a heater is also a big contributing factor, weakening his immune system and slowing down his metabolism, which is why disease takes hold so strongly in such situations.

I know you have added a heater, and that will start to show a positive effect in your fish in the next few days. With no filter, the smaller the tank, the more severe the ammonia poisoning.

All fish in my opinion need & deserve a filtered environment to live in at the very least. You can get your water tested at your local fish shop to see where it's at. Until then, clean his water every day as it's likely the ammonia has gotten a tad out of control. Good luck :grin:

 

[BettaBeau]

Hmmm... once a day is a little too much. You should get an API liquid ammonia test kit, and change the water when it gets up to .25ppm of ammonia. I would change 50% when it gets to that amount of ammonia.

 

[nympxzie]

Since I've noticed the fin rot I've been following directions according to this link: http://bettasplendid.weebly.com/fin-rot-101.html
I've done daily changed for 5 days and I believe I'm done now, back to 2x per week changes. He's acting a lot happier since I've gotten home, maybe the frequent changes were just a little much for him. I'm going to gradually re-add the plants back into his tank.

 

[VivianKJean]

once a day is NOT too much if you are treating fin rot.

OP - can you post a photo? Sometimes fin rot is actually fin biting.

click "go advanced"
click the paper clip icon
follow the instructions in the pop up.

 

[nympxzie]

His fins don't seem to have white tips or anything that would signify a bacterial infection. His tail fin seems to be the only fin damaged. The rips have not gotten worse in 5 days. He's perked up since I've added all his plants and filter back in, swimming like a champ!

 

[VivianKJean]

That is actually fin biting, not fin rot.

unfortunately, there is no cure because there are a million reasons why bettas tail bite - their fins are too heavy making it hard to swim, they are stressed, they are bored, there is something in their water they don't like, they don't have enough protein in their diet, etc.

 

[nympxzie]

The tail hasn't gotten any worse. I re arranged plants and what not, water is always clean. Best I can do it try giving him treats or spending more time with him (he hasn't seen me much recently), and hope that this doesn't occur again in the future. Thank you for all your help!

 

[Bessie]

I respectfully disagree.

Just because a fish can tolerate readings of ammonia in their water does not mean that they should have to. Nor in my opinion does it mean they should be constantly subjected to it before a water change will be performed.

Any ammonia in the water is too much ammonia for the poor fish having to swim round in it. A little compassion goes a long way - just pick up a small, cheap filter. Everybody wins, simples :-D

Also, as far as fin biting goes, it's quite common for fish to become more nippy when in poor water quality. IF he's fin biting, it's fair to suggest he's irritated by the ammonia, it'll be no wonder he's self mutilating. Poorer water quality hinders the healing process. ;-)

Good luck nympxzie, keep us updated :wave:

Hmmm... once a day is a little too much. You should get an API liquid ammonia test kit, and change the water when it gets up to .25ppm of ammonia. I would change 50% when it gets to that amount of ammonia.

 

[nympxzie]

I'll pick up a water quality test kit this week, as well as a pH test strips. I'll up his cleanings to two times per week as well. He's acting a lot better already I can only hope that with a new regimen he gets even more chipper. he has had a whisper 3i since his first day in the tank, it's always running.

 

[Bessie]

What's a whisper 3i?

Sorry, I'm from the UK, we don't always have the same equipment as you guys, at least I've not heard of it anyway. If you're getting a test kit, that should have the Ph test in it. Api liquid test kits - wouldn't be without them. Good luck :-D

I'll pick up a water quality test kit this week, as well as a pH test strips. I'll up his cleanings to two times per week as well. He's acting a lot better already I can only hope that with a new regimen he gets even more chipper. he has had a whisper 3i since his first day in the tank, it's always running.

 

[BettaBeau]

A Whisper 3i is a filter, she's had it running all this time.

Bessie, I agree with you about not subjecting ones betta to ammonia, but ammonia is a necessary part of the nitrogen cycle. A water treatment that detoxifies ammonia as well as chlorine is a must. That way, the ammonia is there for the cycle but it won't harm the fish.

Nympxzie, if you don't have some already, get some Prime water conditioner. Add two drops per gallon when you do water changes. You can also add 1-2 drops per gallon in between water changes to keep the ammonia in a nontoxic form.

 

[Cranly]

BettaBeau was correct - that bamboo is not an aquatic plant. It will die and release poisons into the water. I don't know why stores try to sell it as an aquatic plant.
So, you will need to look into replacing them with silk or other aquatic plants.
That may help.

 

[nympxzie]

BettaBeau was correct - that bamboo is not an aquatic plant. It will die and release poisons into the water. I don't know why stores try to sell it as an aquatic plant.
So, you will need to look into replacing them with silk or other aquatic plants.
That may help.

OOPS! And here I thought I was getting a bargain with a dollar a pop!!! I'll have to get him some amazon sword next time I go to the store...they seem to be so clueless at petco. This is maybe the 5th time they've made a mistake since I started making frequent trips! As a new aquarium owner one would hope that they would know a little more to ensure the happiness of their costumers and the health of the fish...

 

[nympxzie]

Nympxzie, if you don't have some already, get some Prime water conditioner. Add two drops per gallon when you do water changes. You can also add 1-2 drops per gallon in between water changes to keep the ammonia in a nontoxic form.

We have well water so there is no chlorine in it, I run it through a water purifier anyway before putting it in the tank and I do add a few drops of water conditioner as well