TFA101

Okay, water is good, and he eats well, not to mention healed gills, he's just normal Dusty, but he perches himself on the suction cup of the thermometer and he also does that on his recreational plant. He also just seems to rest on the substrate in the corner between the corner of the tank and his recreational plant. He seems to sleep in these locations and perks up whenever I actually show myself in the room. Is he just bored, or is something wrong?

tkfury

I've noticed Vash just kinda drifts along in the tank, mostly sticking to the back corner behind his favorite plant until he notices I'm awake or in the room then he's dancing about until I come over and talk with him. My females have always just slowly swam around their tanks until they noticed someone watching then would come right up to the front for attention. Bettas are rather social so I'd say he's just missing you but I could be wrong. Perhaps moving his decor around a little every now and then might give him some exploring to do incase it is bordom?

TFA101

I was thinking about that. I still have my 20 gallon tank with my suckermouth cat. I'll add an artificial plant in there to add to the beneficial bacteria colony and give him softer plants to hide in and explore through, cause in a 2.5 gallon tank, there really isn't much to do.

TFA101

Oh no, it looks like Dusty is turning dark gray, almost black in the rear half of his body, and his tail isn't doing too well either, it has a texture that makes it looks hardened. Water is still good.

Devon

I'm sorry to hear your guy isn't doing well, but I am so confused... artificial plant = bacterial colony boost?? How does that work??

Can you give water parameters and temperature? A photograph would also be helpful. If he's turning colours, acting listless and laying around on his decor all day, it sounds like a water quality issue to me.

TFA101

Its in my other fully established tank. The Dusty tank is still adjusting, but nothing msjor in that regard.

ammonia/nitrite= 0ppm
nitrate= 10ppm
Buffering Capacity on the high end of the scale... is this it? the pH has risen from about 6 to 6.5 or so. Might this be the problem?

tkfury

I'm afraid I really haven't a clue. Just doing a quick search, all I can come up with is that it might possibily be burns caused by ammonia or nitrites - but your's are both listed as zero. I did read something about a sudden change in pH but it was just a quick comment that didn't get any responses. Haven't a clue if either of those are possibilities but hopefully someone can help your little guy out here.

Devon

PH is not the worry unless it is fluctuating a great deal. Here's more on that: http://www.fishlore.com/Articles/PHArticle.htm
If you are really worried about keeping stable water parameters, I would recommend getting a slightly bigger tank. Your fish will be happier with a bit more breathing room, too.

What temperature are you keeping him at presently? Have you added any new plants or critters to the tank recently? His fins changing colour and texture make me think that there is a fungal problem of some kind. You mention Dusty's tank is "still adjusting," if it's fully cycled, then what else is going on?

Sorry for all the questions, just want to try and help you figure out what's wrong with him.

Martinismommy

Poor little Dusty...I hope he recovers soon...

TFA101

To Devon

Just some slight changes in ammonia, being a small tank.

I'm going to make a water change today, but I dont want to stress him out. I have Rid Fungus, can I be given the green light on that? My parents definately aren't travelling 30 minute from our house to buys meds "just for a fish". I'm afraid for him.

Devon

If there is ammonia in the tank at all, you need to be doing daily water changes until everything levels out and your ammonia staying at 0.

I have no experience with Rid Fungus, so I can't say one way or the other on that medication. However, there are many natural (and in my opinion, much better) ways to treat fungus than chemicals, which should only ever be a last resort imo:
Firstly, water quality is important -- the daily water changes you'll be doing will help take care of that, anyway. Keep the tank in the warmest room you can -- since it's only 2.5 gallons, it isn't safe to use a heater because of possible temp. fluctuations. Ideally his water would be at about 82F.
Feed him a tiny piece of minced garlic once a day, or if he won't eat it, mix his food with garlic juice once a day (be sure if you use the canned stuff, that it is organic and no additives).
Some people will tell you to never use salt, and I agree in pretty much every illness case except for fungus. I've found that a little salt dissolved in the tank water during treatment (you would only need a teaspoon in that size tank) works wonders for helping to pull the infection from under the scales. Regular table salt will not do -- you need pure sea salt, or better yet, aquarium salt.

Good luck and I hope your boy is feeling better in no time.

TFA101

Please hold while the owner medicates....

TFA101

okay, he's swimming now. But he looks awful in the light.

Devon

Hehe. Glad to hear he's swimming around. I haven't seen any black tails before though, so I'm not 100% that it's a fungal infection, but none of the stuff you're giving him will hurt him.

TFA101

Dusty passed away tonight. Despite it had only been six days, I held him close in my heart. It was a definate case of fin rot, necrotic fins and color loss were the telltale signs. I couldn't help him. What are the normal causes so I can fix whatever is wrong with the water before adding any other new guys to the tank. Should I let the tank settle down for a while? I'll pray for him, that his soul will travel to fish heaven, where he will live forever more because of the lack of knowledge of his owner... please excuse me for the next, ohh, i dunno, next 40 years or so, just to let me get over it.

Devon

Ohh how awful... I'm so sorry about Dusty.

The main cause of fin rot is poor water conditions, and injury. This FL article will give you better information than I can give in a lengthy post: http://www.fishlore.com/aquariummaga...ish-finrot.htm

Check your water parameters carefully before using the tank again. It could just be that the tank was not done cycling, and the process did him in. My largest tank had bouts of fish die in it due to fin rot and ammonia poisoning because I got false readings from my LFS about the water quality (I didn't have the proper testing equipment at the time, and neither did they). Now that I know better I have a thriving community of fish in the tank I used to swear was "hexed" -- I was even at one point going to sell it to replace it with a different one just like it, because I was convinced that nothing could ever live in mine. -_- Invest in an API kit and don't trust test strips for your readings.
Terrible news, but I hope that this experience helps you to rescue another betta and I am sure that with proper preparation he will live a long happy life.

COBettaCouple

I'm so sorry to hear that you lost Dusty last week. Sounds like you did all that you could for him.

tanker83

Dont worry TFA101. Dusty knows you did everything you could! Good luck with your next fish!