Help! New To Betta Keeping. Possible Fungus?

HI everyone! I've never used a forum before so I hope i'm doing this right. I've had my betta for a little over a week now and this morning I noticed a small discolouration on his tail fin. After doing some research I think it is some kind of fungus but would like an expert opinion.




I'm not a good photographer and Lockheart is not good at staying still so I apologise of the poor quality! You can see the small white dot on his tail. He also looks a little bloated? I'm not sure as I said I'm new to betta care. Any advice is very much appreciated,
Star x

 

Hi, yes I do see the small dot on his tail, my first thought would be fin rot but I would need a closer photo to make sure. May you also take a birds eye views shot of his so I can see his bloat better? Are his scales raised? Is he eating?

 

It looks more like finrot, but I agree, do you mind providing more pictures?
Also parameters, that'll help with how to heal him. Please give your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate readings, thanks!

 

Hello. Welcome to fishlore. Thank you for allowing us into your finworld!

Like the others said, the more pictures the better.
As well as the water parameters listed above, the temperature of the water will be helpful.

 

Thank you all for the reply's, I've been quiet nervous about this. The water testing kit I was recommended only tests pH, Ammonia and nitrite levels. pH is 7.5, ammonia (NH3) is 0, and nitrates are also 0. Temperature is 26.4C. I'm absolutely going to get a better kit asap and will report back with other parameters. His scales are not raised and he eats as much as he can and defecating soon after, maybe I was worrying about over feeding? Even so, I will take more pictures tomorrow. Hopefully he will be more cooperative! Thanks again,
x

 

Thank you all for the reply's, I've been quiet nervous about this. The water testing kit I was recommended only tests pH, Ammonia and nitrite levels. pH is 7.5, ammonia (NH3) is 0, and nitrates are also 0. Temperature is 26.4C. I'm absolutely going to get a better kit asap and will report back with other parameters. His scales are not raised and he eats as much as he can and defecating soon after, maybe I was worrying about over feeding? Even so, I will take more pictures tomorrow. Hopefully he will be more cooperative! Thanks again,
x

While you’re waiting for a liquid test kit that covers everything, keeping the water clean as possible and betta warm can make all the difference. We’ll be looking for the pictures. Hang in there!

 

I re-tested the water this morning and the nitrate is now 0.25. I don't believe this is dangerous levels but not ideal, any advice?
Lock is very hard to take pictures of but I've done my best! I hope these are more helpful.






He seems to be quite energetic and has a good appetite. The thing on his fin looks in person to be white and cottony, that's why I thought it was a fungus. Should I do more frequent water changes? Could it be an injury? There are some rocks in his tank that he swims between and has knocked a couple of scales on them when he gets scared. Thanks for everything!

 

Is it fuzzy? Has it gotten bigger?

 

Is it fuzzy? Has it gotten bigger?

It has gotten a little bigger and it looks kind of fuzzy. It's like a tiny piece of cotton wool.

 

Can you swab the area with 3% hydrogen peroxide or methylene blue?
Rtessy can you take a look at this spot for me?

 

Can you swab the area with 3% hydrogen peroxide or methylene blue?
Rtessy can you take a look at this spot for me?

From the more recent pictures, it looks like a white blob stuck to the end of the tail, probably around the size of the eye and a bit bean shaped.

 

From the more recent pictures, it looks like a white blob stuck to the end of the tail, probably around the size of the eye and a bit bean shaped.

Not fuzzy?

 

Not fuzzy?

It could be, but I just really can't tell from the pics, a bit too blurry (sorry OP)

 

Have you tried to swab it yet?

 

Have you tried to swab it yet?

I'm just about to go get the supplies to do that. Would you mind giving me some step by step instructions to do so? I've never swabbed a fish before! I'm also going to look into a quarantine tank, he is sharing with a couple of amano shrimp and I don't want any treatments to upset them. Thanks!

 

Sure. Just put the swab in the liquid you chose. Soak it but don’t drench it. Of course if it’s the 3% hydrogen peroxide and the spot is on his tail, it won’t matter. But, lift him out of the tank with a net. Find the spot, get a super good look at it, picture if you can, and use the swab soaked in the med to gently dab it. Notice especially if it feels soft, hard, loose anything. Then let us know ok?

 

I fished him out for the swab and took a look, sorry for the lack of pictures I didn't have a fee hand. When he is out of the water there is no obvious white spot and there was no difference in texture from the rest of the fin. When back in the water it looked a little better, not as much white, just a little crooked. I got a new testing kit and the parameters are: No3 25mg/l and No2 0 mg/l.

 

I fished him out for the swab and took a look, sorry for the lack of pictures I didn't have a fee hand. When he is out of the water there is no obvious white spot and there was no difference in texture from the rest of the fin. When back in the water it looked a little better, not as much white, just a little crooked. I got a new testing kit and the parameters are: No3 25mg/l and No2 0 mg/l.

Were you able to swab it?

 

Were you able to swab it?

Yes. Would you mind explaining what the swabbing is for? disinfection?

 

Yes. Would you mind explaining what the swabbing is for? disinfection?

For helping get rid of whatever it may be before it spreads. It helps in healing, serves as an antibiotic by disinfecting the area. It also helps find out if it’s part of the fin or something on the fin. The main thing I’m concerned about is just the one spot. Hopefully it’s just a little injury healing. Super clean warm water is your best defense and offense.
How is it now?

 

For helping get rid of whatever it may be before it spreads. It helps in healing, serves as an antibiotic by disinfecting the area. It also helps find out if it’s part of the fin or something on the fin. The main thing I’m concerned about is just the one spot. Hopefully it’s just a little injury healing. Super clean warm water is your best defense and offense.
How is it now?

It's looking much the same as when I spotted it on Sunday. Do I need to swab again at all or just leave it? Should I do more frequent water changes? At the moment i'm doing about 20% once per week. What temperature should I be aiming for? At the moment it is between 26 and 27C. Should I get some almond leaves? I'm sorry for all the questions, I just want to be sure to give my lil' guy the best life I can and need some experienced guidance. Thank you!

 

The only question to be sorry about is the one you didn’t ask. My dad always said that. And here, your questions are most welcome. We not only want to help you help your fish, we want you to learn as much as possible so you can help others. Kind of a pay it forward thing.
As long as your water parameters are stable, weekly water changes are ok. I do 30%. Lots of people swear by almond leaves. I can’t breathe around them. So I’ll never know.
Temp is good. I would swab it twice a day for two days. I’m suspecting injury. Best to not let any infection of any kind in there. Keep updating and please, ask anything. We’re here for you.

 

The only question to be sorry about is the one you didn’t ask. My dad always said that. And here, your questions are most welcome. We not only want to help you help your fish, we want you to learn as much as possible so you can help others. Kind of a pay it forward thing.
As long as your water parameters are stable, weekly water changes are ok. I do 30%. Lots of people swear by almond leaves. I can’t breathe around them. So I’ll never know.
Temp is good. I would swab it twice a day for two days. I’m suspecting injury. Best to not let any infection of any kind in there. Keep updating and please, ask anything. We’re here for you.

Your dad's a wise man! I'll remember that saying Thank you so much!

 

Sorry for the lack of updates, things were going well for a while. The white spot has fluctuated in size for a while and the part of the fin it is on looks shorter now. Some of his other fin tips are looking a little pale, maybe something starting to happen there too. This past week I have been doing a malachite green treatment that's supposed to work on fungus, but doesn't seem to have helped. Yesterday I saw a small hole in his tail fin but it looks like it has healed a lot over night and is almost closed, probably unrelated? After more research it does seem likely to be fin rot. Any advice?