Fin Rot Help Please Urgent!!

So my Betta fish Henry seems to have fin rot, and I’m confused on the process of medicating him to help regrowth. He seems to only sit on the bottom of the tank now, but still swims up every so often to get inside of his log and get food. However, his tail is severely tearing off and he’s just not his normal self.

I was trying to do research, and it seems like I have the right idea but I just want go confirm it and make sure I do it correctly before I do anything.

He’s currently in a 5.5 gallon tank, and I have about a 1.5 or 2 gallon tank downstairs that I can use as a quarantine tank. In the quarantine tank does it need to have decorations? Or just plain? I know it needs a heater, but I’ve heard no filter because it cycles out the medication. But, I’ve also heard you can use just an air stone for water movement. So if I’m reading this correctly, you use 1/2 tsp of aquarium salt for every gallon and you do 100% water changes in the quarantine tank for 7-10 days? Do you just cup your Betta and set them on the side while you do the water change?

And as far as the big tank goes, is it okay to do a 100% water change on it and clean everything to avoid whatever was causing it? Should I leave the filter to keep the bacteria in or no? And should I treat that with salt too for when he returns to the tank?

Thank you so much, I really need some clarification because I read one thing and then the next someone says don’t do it that way!!

 

When my halfmoon had fin rot salt made it worse. There are mixed reviews on using salt so just be careful.
I wouldn't go straight to all of that work though. Have you tried daily water changes on the main tank yet? Usually clean water will heal damaged fins.
Could we get a picture? He may be biting his fins as well.
Also how long have you had him?
What is your water change schedule? How much?
Any other animals in the tank with him?
Parameters?

 

Welcome to Fishlore!
If you are unaware of the nitrogen cycle and its role in aquariums, please read this -------> Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle (look for the blue words and click on it, it's a link ).
We need a picture to prescribe treatment. Clean water is usually the best treatment, and following in second are the more natural remedies such as Indian Almond Leaves and tannins from driftwood. Then we can resort to meds like Kanaplex and Furan 2.

 

Yes clean warm water is the best medicine do 20% water changes everyday

 

I think that salt should be used as a last option because it irritates the skin and gills which helps build a better slimecoat and improve gill function, but it stresses them out. In the hospital tanks I would add a silk plant or two for comfort. I wouldn't put a filter in there because medication can sometimes ruin the cycle and also retain some of the medication, so water changes and an air stone should be used. Do not do 100% water change on main tank and clean everything. The only reason your betta would get fin rot is because of your water parameters. Due to not changing the water often enough, the betta will get stressed because of the ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates, giving opportunities for the gram negative bacteria attack. If you keep your water clean and pristine (0 ammonia, nitites, and nitrates) the gram negative bacteria is harmless. All aquariums have this bacteria. A picture would help determine the treatment.

 

When my halfmoon had fin rot salt made it worse. There are mixed reviews on using salt so just be careful.
I wouldn't go straight to all of that work though. Have you tried daily water changes on the main tank yet? Usually clean water will heal damaged fins.
Could we get a picture? He may be biting his fins as well.
Also how long have you had him?
What is your water change schedule? How much?
Any other animals in the tank with him?
Parameters?

I usually try and do a water change once a week. I took out the live plant that was in his tank today because it seemed half dead and I noticed that it was breaking off and producing a lot of waste. I have had him since November and have never came across any issues like thI yet! Nope, he is the only one in his tank.

I did a 50% water change today because I had added Bettafix not knowing how bad it actually is for them so I wanted to eliminate a lot of that, but for the next 7-10 days I’m going to try and do the 20-25% water change and syphon the crud!! I’m just learning this is all new to me.

The first picture is what he usually looks like, and obviously second is him now. I'm wondering if maybe he’s catching his tail on the plastic plants or driftwood? He likes to sleep under the driftwood at night. I don’t notice any miscoloring on his tail/body.

 

Welcome to Fishlore!
If you are unaware of the nitrogen cycle and its role in aquariums, please read this -------> Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle (look for the blue words and click on it, it's a link ).
We need a picture to prescribe treatment. Clean water is usually the best treatment, and following in second are the more natural remedies such as Indian Almond Leaves and tannins from driftwood. Then we can resort to meds like Kanaplex and Furan 2.

I have been thinking about going and getting some Indian almond leaves!!! I uploaded pictures above

 

I think that salt should be used as a last option because it irritates the skin and gills which helps build a better slimecoat and improve gill function, but it stresses them out. In the hospital tanks I would add a silk plant or two for comfort. I wouldn't put a filter in there because medication can sometimes ruin the cycle and also retain some of the medication, so water changes and an air stone should be used. Do not do 100% water change on main tank and clean everything. The only reason your betta would get fin rot is because of your water parameters. Due to not changing the water often enough, the betta will get stressed because of the ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates, giving opportunities for the gram negative bacteria attack. If you keep your water clean and pristine (0 ammonia, nitites, and nitrates) the gram negative bacteria is harmless. All aquariums have this bacteria. A picture would help determine the treatment.

Thank you for the reply! I posted pictures above! I will continue to do a water change everyday for the next 7-10 days. He seemed a little more active today which I suppose is a good sign!

 

Yes clean warm water is the best medicine do 20% water changes everyday

I am going to for sure!!!

 

It honestly, IMO, looks like he's biting his tail. It doesn't have the dark edges that fin rot would. One of my bettas bit his fins so he could swim better. Are those live plants or fake plants?
Beautiful tank, btw!
Regardless, clean water and IAL are the best treatment (and it can't hurt ).

 

Back when I was still dating my wife, she moved in with me and brought a betta with her. The poor thing had been living in a half gallon tank and she had been doing water changes with only tap water. The fish had terrible fin rot. I placed the betta into an established tank of mine and monitored its recovery. No meds, no nonsense. Clean water and a good diet was all the little guy needed to get his fins back.

My advice, ditch the test strips and get the API liquid master test kit. Focus on getting your water parameters under control. Sparkling clean water really will be one of the best medicines you can give your fish.

Good luck. I know it's not easy seeing your fish friends struggle.