Betta Fin Rot Symptoms & Treatment Advice

Hey there,

I know this forum gets a fair number of fin rot threads, especially with Betta fish, so I'm sorry for the monotony!

Some details about the environment and history:
I've got a 3.7G tank. Got my Betta for it after about a month cycle back in February. All was well for a while, then around 2 months ago I had a pretty serious algae bloom. I've been doing what I can to contain it, primarily using a glass scrubber and I try and do my best to clean the substrate with the gravel vac during my water changes - although the substrate rocks are pretty well covered in algae. (I made this thread about that specifically).

I've maintained ~35-40% water changes every 3 weeks or so. I used to do it far more frequently, usually for smaller amounts every 1-2 weeks, but reduced the frequency as the tank has gotten more established.

My water parameters are largely normal: ammonia 0, nitrite 0, pH ~8.1 (has always been there), nitrate ~3.0. I maintain a water temperature around 78.6 F. All of those parameters have been that way for months without major fluctuation.

The actual problem:
I've got pretty clear signs of fin rot on my betta, pictures attached. The first 2 are clear s of the fin rot, however it is not regularly very noticeable - it's only very evident when he's in certain positions (the third shows him in a more "normal" position). I've started treatment using Melafix after a fairly large (~45%) water change tonight, and I also turned up the tank temperature to ~80F. Are the ends of his fins too far gone? Is there anything else I should be trying?

 

Keep doing what you are doing and if it's not working and getting worse, move onto medication. To treat use Kanaplex, Maracyn 2, Furan 2, or Methelyne Blue.

Edit: Also stop Melafix, it's a controversial medication for bettas because it covers the surface of the water and coats the betta's labyrinth organ when they go up to breathe.

 

Keep doing what you are doing and if it's not working and getting worse, move onto medication. To treat use Kanaplex, Maracyn 2, Furan 2, or Methelyne Blue.

Thank you for your reply! Would those medications you suggested be a bit stronger than Melafix if using it for 7 days doesn't help?

 

Thank you for your reply! Would those medications you suggested be a bit stronger than Melafix if using it for 7 days doesn't help?

I added one more thing to my message above. Yes the medications mentioned should be stronger because it's man made. You shouldn't use medication yet because clean and pristine water usually works best. You should try to get the main water parameters at 0 and keep it there. Also do more water changes to lower the amount of gram negative bacteria that may take advantage of the weakened betta.

 

Stop the melafix. Like stated above. Also could do epsom salt baths while you do the water changes. I would also get a larger tank because it needs a larger tank.

 

I added one more thing to my message above. Yes the medications mentioned should be stronger because it's man made. You shouldn't use medication yet because clean and pristine water usually works best. You should try to get the main water parameters at 0 and keep it there. Also do more water changes to lower the amount of gram negative bacteria that may take advantage of the weakened betta.

Stop the melafix. Like stated above. Also could do epsom salt baths while you do the water changes. I would also get a larger tank because it needs a larger tank.

Thanks very much for the responses. As suggested, I’ve discontinued the MelaFix and am pleased to be already seeing improvements in my betta’s behavior - he’s built 2 bubble nests for the first time in about a month.

I’ll continue monitoring him and maintaining frequent water changes and hope he gets better! If a timeframe had to be estimated, roughly how long could I expect before I start seeing improvements to the fin rot? In other words, at what point should I start doing something more if it doesn’t get better?

 

There's many factors in how long it takes to heal fin rot, but you'll see improvements in about a week and see new clear fins growing. If you see rapid fin degeneration, move onto one of the meds mentioned above.