I Think My Betta Has Fin Rot! Can Someone Help?

I really need help. I recently got a betta fish in late March, he's a vibrant blue with a beige-ish orange tail and black at the tips. When I first got Neptune (the fish), I thought the blackness at the tip was his natural colour, but now I think it's fin rot. It started with a little tear in his tail that I thought was due to a rock so I took it out, but the tear got bigger and his tail doesn't look as good as it use to be. I know how to treat it with aquarium salt but I read somewhere that if betta fish don't have fin rot, aquarium salt can do more harm than good. I really need a second pair of eyes because even after hours of research and emailing experts, I'm at a standstill.


Someone please help!

 

His fins really don't look that bad. I wouldn't add anything, but you can remove the sharp decor in his tank (plastic plants can be sharp) and do daily or every other day 50% water changes for a few weeks.

 

The reason your fish has a black edged tail is because he was originally bred to be a mustard gas morph. The black edge is normal, but I do see fin rot beginning to take effect. The thin spots on the fins and the slight tearage gives it away. As for treatment, never use aquarium salt. While some species of fish can tolerate the salt, bettas have a very low tolerbility and it does them more harm than good. The only time I recommend aquarium salt is as a last ditch effort, life or death, but not for fin rot, usaully other diseases. I would begin first my making sure the aquarium water is clean, this is going to be your best deter for fin rot. Second, I would put in some indian Almond Leaves which have antifungal properties in them. As for medication, use ApI or tetras fin rot medication. Stay away from betta fix which has oils in it that suffocate the betta due to it's labryinth organ.

 

His fins really don't look that bad. I wouldn't add anything, but you can remove the sharp decor in his tank (plastic plants can be sharp) and do daily or every other day 50% water changes for a few weeks.

Thanks, I probably overreacted a bit

 

The reason your fish has a black edged tail is because he was originally bred to be a mustard gas morph. The black edge is normal, but I do see fin rot beginning to take effect. The thin spots on the fins and the slight tearage gives it away. As for treatment, never use aquarium salt. While some species of fish can tolerate the salt, bettas have a very low tolerbility and it does them more harm than good. The only time I recommend aquarium salt is as a last ditch effort, life or death, but not for fin rot, usaully other diseases. I would begin first my making sure the aquarium water is clean, this is going to be your best deter for fin rot. Second, I would put in some indian Almond Leaves which have antifungal properties in them. As for medication, use ApI or tetras fin rot medication. Stay away from betta fix which has oils in it that suffocate the betta due to it's labryinth organ.

Thank you, I did a 50% water change today, as for the water I'm moving him into a tank with live plants and a better filter. Thank you again.

 

I wouldn't bother with any medications at this point Good luck!

 

I really need help. I recently got a betta fish in late March, he's a vibrant blue with a beige-ish orange tail and black at the tips. When I first got Neptune (the fish), I thought the blackness at the tip was his natural colour, but now I think it's fin rot. It started with a little tear in his tail that I thought was due to a rock so I took it out, but the tear got bigger and his tail doesn't look as good as it use to be. I know how to treat it with aquarium salt but I read somewhere that if betta fish don't have fin rot, aquarium salt can do more harm than good. I really need a second pair of eyes because even after hours of research and emailing experts, I'm at a standstill. View attachment 435591 View attachment 435592
Someone please help!

The most important thing is to keep the water crystal clean. Since the fin rot is not at an advanced stage, the betta is very capable of healing itself. Adding an almond leaf and stress coat will also help but the most important thing is the water quality. So water changes every other day and siphoning the bottom to remove the deritus. Medication is not necessary at this point but if not fixed, will lead to need of medication and later after that if not treated, death. Also make sure a heater keeps the tank at a comfortable 78 or up. Fin rot is very easy to avoid and treat if you don't let it get too far.

 

The most important thing is to keep the water crystal clean. Since the fin rot is not at an advanced stage, the betta is very capable of healing itself. Adding an almond leaf and stress coat will also help but the most important thing is the water quality. So water changes every other day and siphoning the bottom to remove the deritus. Medication is not necessary at this point but if not fixed, will lead to need of medication and later after that if not treated, death. Also make sure a heater keeps the tank at a comfortable 78 or up. Fin rot is very easy to avoid and treat if you don't let it get too far.

Thank you, I'm moving him into a new tank with live plants and a much better heater also I ordered some almond leaves