Betta fin rot treatment question

[pomegranatemoses]

Is your Nirate 2.0 or 20? Also your PH is a bit on the lowish side.

My nitrate is 20, how do I bring my pH up??

 

[Platyarelife]

My nitrate is 20, how do I bring my pH up??

Drift wood can bring PH up a bit. Other than that I'm not 100% sure. There are chemicals for PH but to be honest I haven't heard good things about those.

 

[pomegranatemoses]

One of the best things you can do to fix fin rot is keep pristine water conditions for your betta.
So here's how you do that when you aren't super familiar with the nitrogen cycle:
1. Do 25-50% water changes every day. When you do the water change make sure you suck up any detritus (crud) on the bottom of the tank. Make sure the water you add in after the water change is treated with a dechlorinator before it goes in the tank. Also make sure it is the same temp as the tank water.

2. Get a sponge filter in there. The sponge is where your BB (beneficial bacteria) will grow. Don't clean this out very often. The BB are good. You want them. Rinse the filter maybe once a month at most. And rinse it only in the dirty tank water from a water change. Never straight water from the tap. It has chlorine and will kill all your BB.

3. Get a proper test kit like the API kit. Its not hard to use, it has instructions. Start a log where you test your water daily or every other day.

4. What is your water temp? Your betta is a tropical fish. They heal faster in warmer waters. I recommend 82-86 for a healing betta. A tank heater may be useful to you to achieve this but make sure you also have a thermometer to check and make sure the temp is where you want it.

5. Get yourself some IAL. That's Indian Almond Leaf. They sell it on Ebay or Amazon. Not expensive Stick a leaf in his tank and let it float. It will eventually sink and it will stain the water a light yellowy-brown tea like color. This is what you want. The tannins in these leaves help encourage natural healing for bettas. You can leave a leaf in their tank for a month. Letting it break down in the tank is fine. Your betta will like it. They often build bubble nests under the floating IAL leaves.

I have a thermometer in my tank, the temp is 80 but I also have a heater I can put in there to bring it up a little bit if I need to. What sponge filter do you recommend? I'll buy a test kit and some IAL

 

[david1978]

Looking at your pics it doesn't really look like fin rot. With fin rot the edges are usually red and irritated these look almost cut like hes biting his tail.

 

[pomegranatemoses]

Looking at your pics it doesn't really look like fin rot. With fin rot the edges are usually red and irritated these look almost cut like hes biting his tail.

There used to be black on the edge of his fins. I read that white on the edge of the fins means his fins are growing back??

 

[Platyarelife]

There used to be black on the edge of his fins. I read that white on the edge of the fins means his fins are growing back??

It can! It is certainly something to watch. It can be a sign that the fin tissue is growing back.

 

[eraser.jpg]

HI everyone! My betta has fin rot . Before writing this, I've already done a treatment with aquarium salt and after no results, a treatment with Bacterial Infection Remedy. After reading a bit, medication probably wasn't necessary for the severity of the rot, so I probably won't try that again. This morning, I woke up to find him with a big chunk of his fin off. He has no other tank mates by the way, so I know this is fin rot but it's getting worse. Now I have him in a half gallon QT with a heater and an air pump. I'm treating him with 1 tsp of aquarium salt with 100% water changes everyday. He's eating fine and all but the rot is progressing. I also use API Stress Coat for dechlorinating the water.

Anyone have advice? This is the first time I've treated fin rot so please tell me your opinions!

 

[Alex Pasquale]

Well just because parts of his fin are falling off doesn't necessarily mean it's getting worse. Some of the rot could have been so bad that it fell off to make room for new fin to grow in. What I would do is treat your water with Melafix. What's nice about Melafix is it's almost 100% natural and doesn't harm them. It promotes regrowth of fins, scales, etc.

 

[WanhiBetta]

Do not treat a betta with Melafix EVER.

Extremely dangerous for their labyrinth organ. Aquarium salt is also not recommended because betta's are extremely sensitive to it.

The best to treat finrot is clean water. What are your tank's parameters? Temperature? Dimensions?

If you really need to medicate, use Paraguard or Methylene Blue dips.

 

[Alex Pasquale]

Do not treat a betta with Melafix EVER.

Extremely dangerous for their labyrinth organ. Aquarium salt is also not recommended because betta's are extremely sensitive to it.

The best to treat finrot is clean water. What are your tank's parameters? Temperature? Dimensions?

If you really need to medicate, use Paraguard or Methylene Blue dips.

You do realize Melafix and Bettafix are basically the same thing right? One just has less concentrated Melaleuca in it. All you have to do is use a 1/5 of Melafix and boom you have Bettafix. Everyone thinks you have to buy Bettafix to treat Bettas, meanwhile its just a marketing scam.

 

[WanhiBetta]

Both Melafix AND bettafix are extremely controversial medication because the oil can cover the labyrinth organ, making it impossible for the betta to breath correctly.

I only said Melafix because it is what you mentioned. If you would've said bettafix my answer would have been the same.

 

[Alex Pasquale]

Do not treat a betta with Melafix EVER.

Extremely dangerous for their labyrinth organ. Aquarium salt is also not recommended because betta's are extremely sensitive to it.

The best to treat finrot is clean water. What are your tank's parameters? Temperature? Dimensions?

If you really need to medicate, use Paraguard or Methylene Blue dips.

Both Melafix AND bettafix are extremely controversial medication because the oil can cover the labyrinth organ, making it impossible for the betta to breath correctly.

I only said Melafix because it is what you mentioned. If you would've said bettafix my answer would have been the same.

No you are absolutely wrong on this topic. They both have the EXACT SAME INGREDIENTS! It's Tea Tree Oil, one has 1.0% Melaleuca (Melafix) and the other has 0.2% Melaleuca in it (Bettafix) other than that has the SAME EXACT INGREDIENTS. It's a marketing scam. All someone has to do is dilute the Melafix with 5 drops of water and they are good to go. It is not "harmful" or "dangerous" to Betta fish. If you don't believe me then LOOK IT UP!

 

[WanhiBetta]

..... I'm sorry if you got confused but I am aware that it is the same ingredients . That is why I'm saying that both are dangerous...

 

[CanadianJoeh]

Both Melafix and bettafix are known to be potentially dangerous for Bettas because the oil will cover their labyrinth.

 

[Alex Pasquale]

..... I'm sorry if you got confused but I am aware that it is the same ingredients . That is why I'm saying that both are dangerous...

Lol they are NOT dangerous... As long as you use the recommended dose for the fish they are perfectly 100% safe to use. This isn't my first rodeo, I've helped hundreds of people with their Betta fish recommending they use Melafix for finrot and every single one of them have had nothing but great results. The only thing I tell them to do different is change their water after 1 day of Melafix treatment.

Both Melafix bien and bettafix are known to be potentially dangerous for Bettas because the oil will cover their labyrinth.

Please read above so I don't have to explain it again.

 

[CanadianJoeh]

Please read above so I don't have to explain it again.

You're alone in your argument, good luck when the cavalry shows up..

 

[WanhiBetta]

I will not argue with you anymore, you seem very impolite.

OP, I would recommend you not to use Melafix. There is much controversy about Melafix, so why not use a safe medication like Methylene Blue or Paraguard?

 

[eraser.jpg]

Do not treat a betta with Melafix EVER.

Extremely dangerous for their labyrinth organ. Aquarium salt is also not recommended because betta's are extremely sensitive to it.

The best to treat finrot is clean water. What are your tank's parameters? Temperature? Dimensions?

If you really need to medicate, use Paraguard or Methylene Blue dips.

Ph 6.8
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate 0 ppm

I will raise the Ph a bit for him right after I'm done writing this. His tank is 2.5 gallons. I know it's a bit small but I'm setting up a 20 gallon long for him soon. His temperature hasn't been the greatest which could be a reason for him to get sick. I don't have a good heater for him because the smallest one I have right now is for 5 gallons and it goes way above 80 degrees if I just leave it on for an hour. His temps are usually 72 degrees which sucks. I think that could've stressed him out and led to his fin to rot. Do you think I should continue with the saltwater treatment or put him back in his tank and do a water change everyday for a week or so?

 

[WanhiBetta]

Ph 6.8
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate 0 ppm

I will raise the Ph a bit for him right after I'm done writing this. His tank is 2.5 gallons. I know it's a bit small but I'm setting up a 20 gallon long for him soon. His temperature hasn't been the greatest which could be a reason for him to get sick. I don't have a good heater for him because the smallest one I have right now is for 5 gallons and it goes way above 80 degrees if I just leave it on for an hour. His temps are usually 72 degrees which sucks. I think that could've stressed him out and led to his fin to rot. Do you think I should continue with the saltwater treatment or put him back in his tank and do a water change everyday for a week or so?

I would put him back in his tank and change 50% of the water everyday... pristine water is by far the best medicine! As for your pH, don't mess with it it's actually not a problem at all. You can have a pH from 6 to 8 and your fish will be safe, what can be dangerous is variation in the pH. Stability is the key, so just keep it at 6.8 it's not a problem at all. 72 is very cold for a betta.... so yes it is probably stressing him. Do you plan on upgrading for the 20 gallon soon? It's a very good idea.

Is your tank cycled? Because the 0 nitrate reading leads me to think it is not. So you know about the nitrogen cycle?

 

[eraser.jpg]

I would put him back in his tank and change 50% of the water everyday... pristine water is by far the best medicine! As for your pH, don't mess with it it's actually not a problem at all. You can have a pH from 6 to 8 and your fish will be safe, what can be dangerous is variation in the pH. Stability is the key, so just keep it at 6.8 it's not a problem at all. 72 is very cold for a betta.... so yes it is probably stressing him. Do you plan on upgrading for the 20 gallon soon? It's a very good idea.

Is your tank cycled? Because the 0 nitrate reading leads me to think it is not. So you know about the nitrogen cycle?

Yes, my tank is cycled. I've had it running for around a year. And I do know about the nitrogen cycle. All I know is that when I tested the nitrates 20 minutes ago, the reading from my API Freshwater Master Test Kit was very yellow which matched with 0 ppm.

I'll go ahead and put him back in his tank. I'll add the heater and just keep a close watch on it. Is the 0 nitrate something to be super worried about? I thought it was ideal to get it as close to 0 ppm as you could. I have a rough estimate of setting up the 20 gallon in a few weeks or so. I still need a couple of things for it.

 

[WanhiBetta]

Yes, my tank is cycled. I've had it running for around a year. And I do know about the nitrogen cycle. All I know is that when I tested the nitrates 20 minutes ago, the reading from my API Freshwater Master Test Kit was very yellow which matched with 0 ppm.

I'll go ahead and put him back in his tank. I'll add the heater and just keep a close watch on it. Is the 0 nitrate something to be super worried about? I thought it was ideal to get it as close to 0 ppm as you could. I have a rough estimate of setting up the 20 gallon in a few weeks or so. I still need a couple of things for it.

If the water temperature gets higher than 82 remove stop the heater! As for your nitrates, when and how bug was your last water change? If it was very recent, maybe you just don't have a lot which is good. But if it is really 0, it could mean your cycle has crashed. Normally nitrates should be less than 40 to be safe!

 

[eraser.jpg]

If the water temperature gets higher than 82 remove stop the heater! As for your nitrates, when and how bug was your last water change? If it was very recent, maybe you just don't have a lot which is good. But if it is really 0, it could mean your cycle has crashed. Normally nitrates should be less than 40 to be safe!

I did a 75% water change just a few hours ago. Normally I just do a 25% water change once a week but due to the bettas illness, I decided I should do a big chunk of cleaning.

 

[WanhiBetta]

I did a 75% water change just a few hours ago. Normally I just do a 25% water change once a week but due to the bettas illness, I decided I should do a big chunk of cleaning.

that explain the 0 reading. No need to worry then!

 

[eraser.jpg]

that explain the 0 reading. No need to worry then!

Thank you so much for the info! I will update you in a week on how he's doing . One last thing, he spends a considerable amount of time at the bottom of his tank, under the filter where the water is being taken in. I don't know if it's because there's more oxygen there or what. I still have his air pump in there but he still camps under his filter. I don't want to increase the bubbles because he can't swim well enough against the current. Any advice?

 

[Jabberwock]

Do you have live plants? That can also zero out your nitrates.

 

[eraser.jpg]

Do you have live plants? That can also zero out your nitrates.

I recently got rid of the small amount of live plants that I had in there. I think the nitrates at 0 ppm was caused because of the 75% water change that I did earlier.

 

[Jabberwock]

My Beta loves his amazon sword. He made a sleeping bag out of two leaves and zipped it up with a bubble nest. And the plant keeps the nitrates down.

 

[eraser.jpg]

My Beta loves his amazon sword. He made a sleeping bag out of two leaves and zipped it up with a bubble nest. And the plant keeps the nitrates down.

That's really cute!! I'm going to be setting up a 20 gallon long with a lot of different plants! I think we are getting a bit off topic though and I'm sure there's a moderator lurking somewhere waiting to bite us in the butt. Best wishes for you and your betta!

 

[Jabberwock]

I don't think it is off topic at all. Overall comfort and ideal water conditions lead to healthy fish. I gotta go do a water change! BBL

 

[Dingomama]

That's really cute!! I'm going to be setting up a 20 gallon long with a lot of different plants! I think we are getting a bit off topic though and I'm sure there's a moderator lurking somewhere waiting to bite us in the butt. Best wishes for you and your betta!

Oh goodness, lots of emotions. I had tail rot start up about 2 months ago with my betta. I used apI fin and tail rot. I warmed it up to 79, and I put in a katappa leaf, all within a week, and the rot stopped. I used the apI fin and tail rot exactly as directed. He also has a bubbler, but I turned off filtration and a uv sterilizer because he was struggling to swim and that was adding a small current to his tank. He had also stopped using his hammock and stayed at the bottom. I lowered his water depth to about 4 or 5 inches once his medication was done so it wouldn't be so hard for him swim up to get air. With less water in his tank, I ended up doing small water changes daily, which I am still doing while he heals.
He lost A LOT of tail and it breaks my heart to see, but there is new growth coming in and he is getting more energetic all of the time and his appetite is monstrous.
Speaking of appetite, I also went to an all frozen blood worm diet. I read that advice somewhere that the pure protein helps with tissue regrowth.
I am just saying what worked for me. I'm not sure if all of those elements contributed to his recovery, but he is getting better.
Good luck!

That's really cute!! I'm going to be setting up a 20 gallon long with a lot of different plants! I think we are getting a bit off topic though and I'm sure there's a moderator lurking somewhere waiting to bite us in the butt. Best wishes for you and your betta!

Oh goodness, lots of emotions. I had tail rot start up about 2 months ago with my betta. I used apI fin and tail rot. I warmed it up to 79, and I put in a katappa leaf, all within a week, and the rot stopped. I used the apI fin and tail rot exactly as directed. He also has a bubbler, but I turned off filtration and a uv sterilizer because he was struggling to swim and that was adding a small current to his tank. He had also stopped using his hammock and stayed at the bottom. I lowered his water depth to about 4 or 5 inches once his medication was done so it wouldn't be so hard for him swim up to get air. With less water in his tank, I ended up doing small water changes daily, which I am still doing while he heals.
He lost A LOT of tail and it breaks my heart to see, but there is new growth coming in and he is getting more energetic all of the time and his appetite is monstrous.
Speaking of appetite, I also went to an all frozen blood worm diet. I read that advice somewhere that the pure protein helps with tissue regrowth.
I am just saying what worked for me. I'm not sure if all of those elements contributed to his recovery, but he is getting better.
Good luck!

 

[WanhiBetta]

Thank you so much for the info! I will update you in a week on how he's doing . One last thing, he spends a considerable amount of time at the bottom of his tank, under the filter where the water is being taken in. I don't know if it's because there's more oxygen there or what. I still have his air pump in there but he still camps under his filter. I don't want to increase the bubbles because he can't swim well enough against the current. Any advice?

Betta's don't need a lot of oxygen in the water, or at least not as much as other fish. If your filter has at least a decent flow I'm sure there's enough oxygen... maybe he just likes it under the filter

Which filter exactly do you have?

 

[eraser.jpg]

Betta's don't need a lot of oxygen in the water, or at least not as much as other fish. If your filter has at least a decent flow I'm sure there's enough oxygen... maybe he just likes it under the filter

Which filter exactly do you have?

Sorry it's taken so long for me to get back to you. Its a Marina 360 Splash. It sucks. He's still eating alright. I'll get back to you soon with any info on how he's doing

Here's an update! More fin seems to be disappearing. Should I start treatment?

 

[WanhiBetta]

I can't See the picture.. could you try uploading it again?

No I still can't see it... but if it's worst than the first picture you posted I would try medication. Id go with a simple Methylene blue dip for 15 minutes then put him back in his tank. Then do a dip every two-three days.

 

[eraser.jpg]

No I still can't see it... but if it's worst than the first picture you posted I would try medication. Id go with a simple Methylene blue dip for 15 minutes then put him back in his tank. Then do a dip every two-three days.

He seems to be growing his fins back! Do you have an estimate of how long I could do the treatment for? I know with a lot of medications you have to stop at 10 days but since I'm dipping him is there a limit to how many days I could do it?

 

[WanhiBetta]

There is no real limit but I would say that you could give him a dip every two days for two weeks, then stop for a week to see if fins are still growing without the treatment!

 

[Hajer]

HI everyone! I'm new here, and came to ask a question about my male betta fish, Sunny.

I have a 5 gallon tank, filtered, with live plants, gravel substrate, 2 moss balls, and almond leaves. I'm using the PRIME as a conditioner, and the API liquid test kit. My water perimeters are:

Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 5 ppm
pH: 7.0

About a month ago I noticed Sunny's tail getting holes and tears. I assumed it was because of the decor in the tank, and had them removed. The tears/fin loss continued to worsen for a while, before it stopped progressing any further (didn't get better, but also didn't get worse).

But last week I noticed his lower fin/tail is starting to get new tears too, when it didn't have any before! The fins don't look clamped, but because of the large amount of loss, they look very small, and I feel so sad for him!

I am doing 15% water changes every other day now to make sure his water stays as clean as possible, but the tears keep getting worse! I don't know if this is rot or just him getting his fins snagged on things? The plants maybe? We do have floating plants with exposed roots, which he likes to swim through, but they don't seem like they could be that damaging? I have already removed these floating plants just in case, but I am still noticing more new tears!!

He's also been hanging around and resting on top of the corner filter. I hope someone here can help and advise me on what to do to for Sunny. I miss seeing him so beautiful and fanned. I feel like I am at my wits end, and am so so worried

Thanks in advance!! (The pictures I attached shows the floating plants before having removed them)

 

[Initiate]

Welcome to Fishlore,
Your betta could be a fin nipper because it doesn't seem that anything in the tank could be tearing his fins. I could only see what could be fin rot in one photo so I'm not too sure it is. Search some photos of fin rot up and if you do see a comparison then step up to 50% daily water changes. The floating plants can be re-added they aren't a problem.

Thanks

 

[AleksTheFish]

HI everyone! I'm new here, and came to ask a question about my male betta fish, Sunny.

I have a 5 gallon tank, filtered, with live plants, gravel substrate, 2 moss balls, and almond leaves. I'm using the PRIME as a conditioner, and the API liquid test kit. My water perimeters are:

Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 5 ppm
pH: 7.0

About a month ago I noticed Sunny's tail getting holes and tears. I assumed it was because of the decor in the tank, and had them removed. The tears/fin loss continued to worsen for a while, before it stopped progressing any further (didn't get better, but also didn't get worse).

But last week I noticed his lower fin/tail is starting to get new tears too, when it didn't have any before! The fins don't look clamped, but because of the large amount of loss, they look very small, and I feel so sad for him!

I am doing 15% water changes every other day now to make sure his water stays as clean as possible, but the tears keep getting worse! I don't know if this is rot or just him getting his fins snagged on things? The plants maybe? We do have floating plants with exposed roots, which he likes to swim through, but they don't seem like they could be that damaging? I have already removed these floating plants just in case, but I am still noticing more new tears!!

He's also been hanging around and resting on top of the corner filter. I hope someone here can help and advise me on what to do to for Sunny. I miss seeing him so beautiful and fanned. I feel like I am at my wits end, and am so so worried

Thanks in advance!! (The pictures I attached shows the floating plants before having removed them)

It’s not fin rot, if your water is clean like you say. He could be tailbiting, which my boy used to do, so I treat him with aquarium salt to keep it from being infected, but he never stopped biting. He had a ripped tail for his whole life but never got infected tanks to keeping the water clean and the aquarium salt (a small pinch every few cleanings). I hope this helps!

 

[Repolie]

I don't think he's tail biting. If he was, it would mostly be focused around the center of the caudal fins and not the upper or bottom caudal and dorsal fins where it would be harder to reach. I also don't believe it's fin rot because that would eat away the webbing between the rays, but he's missing both the webbing and rays. Can we see a picture of of his tank?

 

[Iverg1]

I think the most likely culprit is the filter

 

[Hajer]

Hi! Thanks for the responses! I've attached pictures of the tank. This is the latest setup where the floating plants are gone, and I even removed the pot. He never uses the pot as a sleeping place, and always just sleeps right on the floor, could that also be a cause?

I think the most likely culprit is the filter

If it were the filter, does that mean it's too strong? I'm using those corner filters, and attached a valve to adjust the pressure. And he's only been sitting at the filter in recent days with these new tears. When he was getting the previous tears, he never bothered at the filter.

Other notes to mention - which may or may not be relevant - is that Sunny's a pretty feisty fish, lol. He likes to peck(?) or charge at anything he sees floating about. And also likes to vertically dart from the very bottom of the tank to the top when he sees me coming. I did hear before that a betta's flaring could cause tears. Although he doesn't flare, maybe this extra exertion is putting pressure on his fins? I don't know, I'm just trying to make sense of this.

Thanks again!

 

[Iverg1]

Oh there's really nothing in their that can hurt him unless the filter somehow sucks him in. Hmmmmm

 

[Hajer]

Oh there's really nothing in their that can hurt him unless the filter somehow sucks him in. Hmmmmm

He does sit on the filter a lot these past few days. Hmm. But it doesn't seem like he's getting stuck or being sucked in. I have reduced the flow a little bit more, just in case though. Could it be some sort of fungus/parasite? Would any of that cause it? Or maybe he's stressed because of something? Ah, feeling really lost!

 

[Hajer]

HI again everyone! I just wanted to update on Sunny's tail.. it seems like things have gotten worse. Tears on his lower tail is getting bigger, and I've also noticed some dark spot with some white stuff hanging from it?? Is this fungus? I have an anti-fungal treatment (it's blue though), should I be using it? The pet store where I bought it from says that it can be used as a preventative as well as treatment. Please do advise!

Thanks! I've attached the pictures so the dark/white spot can be seen.

 

[Repolie]

Hmmmm. I have no idea what his tail can be catching it on. If it's getting worse, he probably has fin rot from the open wounds. The white does look to be fungus. Is the medication Methylene Blue?

 

[Hajer]

I'm not sure if its methylene blue. It's some local brand (I live in South East Asia).

 

[Repolie]

I have no idea what that medication is and can't find any information about it's content online which can be bad when trying to treat for things with an unknown substance. Could you try getting Methylene Blue?

 

[Hajer]

More update: the white stuff + that part of the tail is gone now I’m so heartbroken, I don’t know what to do to help Sunny. Does anyone here know about using salt? Can I add it straight to my tank or should I do dips? I don’t want Sunny to hurt or suffer

Edit: I haven’t bought methylene blue (yet). Is it safer than salt? Thanks in advance!! ❤️

 

[goonersid]

Have a 7g split tank with two sponge filters running minimum current.. Split 1 is a Betta and split 2 is 5 guppies and a couple of Zebra danios... Things have been working really nice until I found my Betta having his fins split.. I'm really confused if this is rot or just physical damage as I have a couple of fake plants that I feel could be the culprit.. there are no behavioural changes otherwise and he has been pretty active like before... Can someone help?

 

[BigManAquatics]

That split looks pretty clean cut and that grass looks suspect. Try a couple silk plants for him. Clean water and some stress coat should help that fin heal though!