MissMTS

Well actually I am not sure if it is fin rot, tail biting, or if he just snagged it on something in his tank. I am going to take out the fake plants for now just to be on the safe side. His tail does have a black lace pattern, so its hard to see if the edges are their normal color or if they are black from finrot. I got some Rid-Fungus today to use on his tank. Does anyone know how to distinguish whether its finrot, tail biting, or torn fins from decor? I am totally bummed. His tail is so gorgeous....I don't want him to lose it

Lucy

I'm sorry Gonzo is worrying you.

Here's a good article from the FL Magazine Archives.
Fin Rot

When my guppy got fin rot is was noticeable by white on the effected part of his tail.
I used Fungus Eliminator but Rid Fungus is good too.

Before medicating it might be a good idea to use the old stand by's
Extra water changes, stress coat, vita-chem and garlic.
Keep your eye on him, if he doesn't improve, meds may be necessary.
Here's some other meds that are effective:
Betta Meds

I hope Gonzo feels better soon.

MissMTS

Thanks Lucy I have already started him on vitachem, garlic guard, and fish protector. The Rid-Fungus is organic and natural, so I was thinking it shouldn't really have any adverse effects adding it to the tank...... What do you think?

Thanks for the link! I will deffinetly read through it

You are smart keeping girl bettas! Not nearly as many fin issues

Martinismommy

Kate, can you post a photo of his tail? I've found that Jungle fungus clear is the best treatment for any type of fin issues..

Lucy

I think Dave uses Rid Fungus. I've never used the one MM mentioned, but of course, I'd trust her judgement also.

On the girlies. Seems they rarely have the fin issues that the boys do.

agabr123

i've noticed with billy's tailbiting that it tends to be very even, and of course he gets better at keeping it a straight line with practice

Shawnie

deffinately post a pic...naki has total black around his tail and its his coloring so definitely make sure before you treat

MissMTS

Thanks for all of the imput guys. Here is a video of his tail. He was moving to fast for me to get a pic. I put him in an isolation box while I took this so that I could get as up close as possible. Let me know what you think. It was looking a lot worse when I got home from work last night, so I am thinking it is deffinetly finrot

pinkfloydpuffer

Aw, I'm sorry Kate That stinks. I'll let the more experienced fin healers help you out on this one, but just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry, fin issues are a pain to deal with.

EDIT: Oh, and I forgot. Dealing with the females is way easier when it comes to fin issues, but also that's the great thing about plakats Short fins=easy maintenance. Same reason I like crownies, tail rips aren't as obvious

Shawnie

im going to disagree...I dont think its finrot as I have the same boy with the same color..and when it starts to grow, it looks tattered...then his colors pop up...my pic looks different than your vid, because its a still shot..but naki looks identical to gonz.. dont ya just love it when our guys FINALLY wanna talk when the video camera is going ? heres his fins growing

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Lucy

What was he wanting? Turkey or ham?

Shawnie

he wanted bella roonie who was in the bowl beside him so I could get him to flare for kate

capekate

Hi Kate
It appears that Murray who I believe is a sibling of Gonzo's and probably a sibling to Shawnies boy as well, also is going through the same problem with his dorsal fin. My sis was wondering if it is fin rot, I just know that it looks tattered, but it doesnt look like fin rot.
Here is a photo of Murray and you can see what I mean... He almost looks like a CrownTail... We are thinking of using either the API Fungus Cure, or the Jungle Lab product.. but at this point, like you, just not sure if it is fin rot or not or really thin finage.

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Martinismommy

This is interesting that the boys are having the same problem......I haven't had any issues with the 2 males I kept...They both have very strong rays and have never shown any signs of finrot....My boys are in an unfiltered tank.....I wonder if that's the reason...

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MissMTS

Wow Naki does look exactly like Gonzo ....hmmm....they look like they could be brothers The only thing that is making me think it is fin rot is that on the middle part of his tail, today, it looks like it is falling apart. It doesn't just look ragged anymore. Does Naki flare constantly? Gonzo is always at the divider flaring at Fozzie. He even gets so into it that he opens his mouth when he flares

I can't believe that Gonzo ignores Miss Piggy when she is right next to him and they have clear dividers. She spends her time looking over at him, and he ignores her..... Maybe he's just playing hard to get

Thanks Pink I HATE dealing with fin issues. That was such a major problem with a couple of my boys that I had before. Hopefully I will be able to treat Gonzo quickly.

Hi Kate

At first his fins did appear just thin and a bit ragged at the edges like Murray's dorsal. It has gotten worse though and the center of his tail looks like it is disintigrating I started him on Rid-Fungus today so hopefully that will help.

BTW, yes Murray is Gonzo's brother. He looks so much like my Fozzie it is uncanny

I am not sure what caused it Karen. I put sponges over the filter intakes so hopefully if it snagged in the filter it won't happen again. How often do you change the water on the tanks that your boys are in? Are the filters detrimental to bettas?

Shawnie

murray looks like hes just gaining color too on his finnage...am I blind or something ? LOL ...I dont see fin rot on either of those boys

capekate

Good morning Shawnie
Its not so much fin rot as it looks like a splitting of the rays. Murray's dorsal fin just seems 'cropped' in places and spikey in others.
I have no idea of whats going on with our little boys either.. but I am going to wait on using meds at this point and see what it looks like in a few days.

Martinismommy

I don't see finrot either.....I'm not sure what is going on....Murray seems to have areas where the fins are clear.....I don't believe flaring would cause this splitting..My boys are in constant flare all day long even though they are carded and can't see each other..

Kate (CA) I keep the show boys in a 1 gallon tank...I change the water every other day...I realize this would be next to impossible for the average person ...The only time I have ever had any kind of fin issues has been when they were in a filtered tank...I keep all my girls in filtered tanks and have no issuse.....

I hope all of these boys are OK....I would not be too quick to medicate with what I'm seeing here....