harold

We decided to move the tank that Harold (betta) and Sheldon (snail) are currently in to a different location. Prior to moving the tank Harold was showing very small signs of fungus and finrot and it really wasn't spreading. As a matter of fact, Harold started making bubble nests all the time and appeared to be very happy.

Well, we moved the tank to a different room in a location that is closer to the window. Definitely more sunlight but only in the early morning. Would moving the tank cause so much stress that now Harold broke out with finrot like I have never seen it before and there are no more bubble nests?

capekate

Had you been treating Harold for fin rot after you first noticed it? It could be that by moving him to an area near the window with more light has given you a better view of what was going on. Like with my tanks.. its amazing how different a fish can look, when I move it to another tank that uses different wattage lights.

~ kate

harold

There is absolutely no way I could mistaken the difference in finrot. It is very bad now. Before there were maybe one or two small pinholes in his rear fin and some minor finrot. It never got any worse in over a week. This morning it almost looked like someone took a bad pair of scissors at all his fins! And no, there are no meds in the tank.

capekate

can I ask why you are not treating him for the finrot? Its not going to get better on its own...

There are simple meds for finrot and he can heal a lot faster with them, that and many water changes.

~ kate

harold

In a different thread I had posted that I will stop medicating because I felt I was doing more harm than good with all the changes I was putting him through.

http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/be...d-sheldon.html

As a matter of fact, after I let him be and stop the medication he was doing alot better. I felt once I was able to remove his tank mate Sheldon to a different tank than I will consider starting medication over again. With this said, Harold has been doing great until we moved the tank.

capekate

its more than likely the fact that you stopped the treatment and not the move that has caused his fin rot to go from good to bad again...
There really is no reason for a tank move to cause fin rot IMO.

I hope you decide to start treatment again.. since it sounds like it has gotten much worse...

~ kate

COBettaCouple

He sounds like he has both types of finrot unfortunately and I would treat him with both triple sulfa and rid fungus to deal with both causes. The rid fungus is not harsh so it's a good option when also doing an antibiotic. Vitachem and Fish Protector are 2 things that I add daily when treating finrot - they help strengthen a Betta and promote fin regrowth.

harold

My guess is that Harold had minor finrot and the moved stressed him out and aggrevated the condition to a more severe level. That's my diagnosis from a complete newbie.

Anyway, as soon as the other tank cycles I'll move Sheldon out and start the meds.

COBettaCouple

Unfortunately, fin rot progresses unless treated since you're dealing with bacteria and/or fungus. But stress does accelerate the process dramatically by weakening their immune system. That's part of why I like to use Fish Protector, it does help with calming fish some (makes it good for using when moving fish as well).

chickadee

They are correct..the only way to keep this from becoming a chronic condition if it has not already become that is to treat him with medications. It does sound like a stress related problem to an extent but I am sure that he has the grandaddy of all finrot problems, the good old fashioned bacterial/fungal infection type too at this point. The lack of bubblenests do not over much bother me as they do this for many reasons and he could be just disturbed by the move and not necessarily feeling unhappy or very ill. BUT if he starts to change his zest for food or become less active, you may have a bad problem.

I know that you love Harold and he is a part of the family and you are doing things the best way you know how so please do not get down on yourself about this, just start treatment on him and do what you can for him. His fins can be saved and so can he, but as you were told in the other posts, this is not going away unless it is treated. Please do keep us informed of his progress, we do worry about the little folks when they are ill.

Rose

harold

Now that I finally have testing equipment I'm happy to confirm that the water parameters in the 2.5 gallon are perfect!

ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 10

chickadee

That is great, at least you know that the water quality is not the problem. He is probably stressed and maybe suffering with a small infection. He has a very good chance of responding well to the treatment should you choose to do it.

Harold, we are not trying to tell you that you have to do anything but just what we see as the best course of action. I do not want you to feel that you are getting pushed or forced into any action. It is just our responsibility to let you know what we would recommend in the best case scenario and if you choose to do it that is fine but Harold is your betta and we do realize that. We are here for you both regardless. This is just what has worked for us.

Rose