Missing Dorsal Fin On Female Betta

We have a female beta, Starfire, who had fin rot and we were treating her for it with Melafix. The fin rot was improving but overnight her dorsal fin is completely gone, along with some of her scales around the area and some of her tissue. She does seem to be in great pain almost as if she lost a battle. She lives in her own little tank so that's not possible. She shouldn't have been able to bite it either as it should be too close to her head. We've never seen any fin rot do this and we don't know how to help her anymore than we are already at the moment. She has nothing sharp, rough, or catching in her tank She has a plant and a little skull but we have checked those just not as well as when we bought them before we put them in. Please anyone who can assist please message back. We have 13 betas and none of the others have this issue at all. We don't know or pretend to know everything so if there is something we missed please let us know. Thank you.


(will try to upload a better pic as soon as I can. A bit grainy my phone sucks)

 

Someone with eyes will look at your fish soon. Meantime, please post your water parameters, tank size, conditioners you use, heater?
I’ve learned the hard way the only thing melafix does is smell.
Hoping for the best.

 

It's a small tank, unfortunately. Just a half gallon, until we can get something bigger. No heater and just AquaSafe water conditioner. I haven't got a kit to check the parameters at the moment, sadly. Honestly, the thing that baffles me is that this seemed to happen overnight. It looks like a huge chunk of her back was taken out with the fin, like if she lost a fight with a bigger fish. If it weren't for that, I would just assume it's fin rot and try to treat it that way.

I didn't realize that Melafix was worthless, but it does explain quite a bit. She did have fin rot, but it was mild and was getting better before this happened. I was giving her treatments and everything. I'm still somewhat new to keeping bettas, so I probably made some mistake somewhere. I just want to know if there's anything I can do to help her.

Btw here is a better picture of Starfire.

 

One thing you can do is frequent partial water changes. I wish you had a liquid test kit. But if it’s fungal and eating into his body that fast you’ll need to do something my brain fog won’t let me get. Let’s see if I can find help. 75 gallon Discus Tank david1978 Hunter1 any thoughts? Please. I know there’s stuff he can do now. Help!

Btw here is a better picture of Starfire.View attachment 431877

Woke hubby up. Is that down to her spine?

 

Gypsy13 It looks like it might be, kind of hard to tell. Its definitely going into her a ways.

 

Gypsy13 It looks like it might be, kind of hard to tell. Its definitely going into her a ways.

If this is a continuation of the fin rot, it’s going to be tough. Keep the water as clean as possible. Do you have any non iodized salt?

Hubby says her body looks pale. Does it?

 

We have Himalayan salt and sea salt, don't know if either of those count.

Also that is about her usual color. My gf got her and that was why was because she had such an unusual coloration.

 

with that small a container you need to change the water. Try 30% at a time so as not to shock her too much. She’s in trouble.

 

k. Gf is doing a 30% water change right now.

 

We have Himalayan salt and sea salt, don't know if either of those count.

Is the sea salt non iodized? You can put a pinch in the water you add. It’ll help with gill function as well as slow the progress of the fungus or bacteria. I’m sorry I can’t think of what you can actually swab on her. I’ll keep trying though. You’re not alone!

 

Says it doesn't supply iodide. So that should work. I'll tell my gf to add a pinch in. And thanks, I just joined the site for this but also because both of us find ourselves here anytime we want to look something up about out betas since it is usually full of knowledge. It means a lot to both of us. We have 13 betas and love them all but this is her special baby so I know it really upset her a lot when she saw it. Also should we keep adding melafix or no?

 

Says it doesn't supply iodide. So that should work. I'll tell my gf to add a pinch in. And thanks, I just joined the site for this but also because both of us find ourselves here anytime we want to look something up about out betas since it is usually full of knowledge. It means a lot to both of us. We have 13 betas and love them all but this is her special baby so I know it really upset her a lot when she saw it. Also should we keep adding melafix or no?

Stop melafix. It’s truly a waste. Go to the aquarium forum tab. If you go to the sixth section you’ll find fish diseases. If you can find the search bar in there you can put in salt bath to help. I just have to listen till I find it. But there’s a table in there telling how much salt to use per gallon to give salt baths. Coradee we could use a link here please.

 

Thank you so much for your help! You have no idea how much it is appreciated by both of us.

 

I’ll be back in just a few. Have to check to make sure no fish swam out of my pond. I’m not going anywhere.

 

Ok. I went to the fish diseases in the sixth section of the aquarium forum but was unable to find a table for it. Will keep looking.

 

Thank you so much for your help! You have no idea how much it is appreciated by both of us.

I’m not a whole lot of help not being able to see but I’ll do the best I can.

 

Still, you are able to help some which is all that we hoped for and really expected. My gf says you have her eternal gratitude.

 

Ok. I went to the fish diseases in the sixth section of the aquarium forum but was unable to find a table for it. Will keep looking.

It’s ok. Don’t worry so much about the baths. Just keep the water as clean as possible. Bettas are a little sensitive to salt and I’d hate for you to use the wrong table. It won’t be much longer and someone with eyes will be checking in with us. I’ll feel much better then.

Still, you are able to help some which is all that we hoped for and really expected. My gf says you have her eternal gratitude.

Awww. I’ve been in this sad place before too. I know how hard it is especially if there’s no one there in the middle of the night. I’m forever grateful y’all care enough to keep trying!

Found someone active I hope. DoubleDutch could you please please look at this poor fish? Thank you!

 

Found someone active I hope. DoubleDutch could you please please look at this poor fish? Thank you!

I am not a betta knower, but I am afraid the tissue is to far gone that it won't regrow (sorry). I'd euthanise it (sorry again).

 

I am not a betta knower, but I am afraid the tissue is to far gone that it won't regrow (sorry). I'd euthanise it (sorry again).

Thank you DoubleDutch. I’m very sorry to hear this. Hubby said it looked really bad. Thank you for being so quick to answer.

 

Thank you DoubleDutch. I’m very sorry to hear this. Hubby said it looked really bad. Thank you for being so quick to answer.

Sorry to give the worst possible answer.
Maybe other members (knowing Bettas) come up with a different opinion.
But it looks quite bad !

 

I’m still hoping others will chime in. But DoubleDutch can see what I can’t. How is she acting right now?

 

Stop melafix. It’s truly a waste. Go to the aquarium forum tab. If you go to the sixth section you’ll find fish diseases. If you can find the search bar in there you can put in salt bath to help. I just have to listen till I find it. But there’s a table in there telling how much salt to use per gallon to give salt baths. Coradee we could use a link here please.

Hi, I can’t find the table you mention but there is some information here that may be helpful Help - Treating Fin Rot

 

Hi, I can’t find the table you mention but there is some information here that may be helpful Help - Treating Fin Rot

Only thing is there isn't any fin left to treat Coradee.

 

I have heard that bettas under stress will sometimes rip off their own fins, but I don't think Starfires quite that flexible to reach that particular area. If she is that flexible I'd like to be in her yoga class.

So it seems far more likely that Starfire was near decoration got startled/excited and she caught herself up on the decoration and ripped off her fin and a chunk.

As per moving forward I would definitely change the water at least every couple days, everyday would be best to prevent any kind of bacterial infection in the wound and continue adding salt after each water change, and make sure that the salt you're going to be using regularly has a high Purity percentage

And Gypsy13 I don't have eyes I have an eye but I need a monocle to see with it.

 

Sorry, haven’t read the whole thread

 

ok. thank you DoubleDutch for being quick to answer as well. We had to step out for a second as she wanted to take a walk around the block. Ya If she is in too much pain we might have to but we'll see where it goes.

I’m still hoping others will chime in. But DoubleDutch can see what I can’t. How is she acting right now?

Thanks Gypsy13, she is acting a little lethargic.

Hi, I can’t find the table you mention but there is some information here that may be helpful Help - Treating Fin Rot

Coradee, thanks I will check that out.

Only thing is there isn't any fin left to treat Coradee.

Ya unfortunately, that was the most worrying thing about it/startling.

I have heard that bettas under stress will sometimes rip off their own fins, but I don't think Starfires quite that flexible to reach that particular area. If she is that flexible I'd like to be in her yoga class.

So it seems far more likely that Starfire was near decoration got startled/excited and she caught herself up on the decoration and ripped off her fin and a chunk.

As per moving forward I would definitely change the water at least every couple days, everyday would be best to prevent any kind of bacterial infection in the wound and continue adding salt after each water change, and make sure that the salt you're going to be using regularly has a high Purity percentage

And Gypsy13 I don't have eyes I have an eye but I need a monocle to see with it.

Ya I don't think she is either. Possible, but the only decoration she has is a small skull which doesn't have anything that should have caught it. No sharp or rough edges. We also can't find her fin in the water at all.

 

Sorry, haven’t read the whole thread

DoubleDutch says looks really bad. In a half gallon bowl no testing, no heater, filter etc. been treating w melafix, advised to stop, says nothing in blow for fish to get hung up on. Been treating for fin rot. Advised to do water changes w a pinch of salt till someone can see.
That would be bowl not blow.

 

I have heard that bettas under stress will sometimes rip off their own fins, but I don't think Starfires quite that flexible to reach that particular area. If she is that flexible I'd like to be in her yoga class.

So it seems far more likely that Starfire was near decoration got startled/excited and she caught herself up on the decoration and ripped off her fin and a chunk.

As per moving forward I would definitely change the water at least every couple days, everyday would be best to prevent any kind of bacterial infection in the wound and continue adding salt after each water change, and make sure that the salt you're going to be using regularly has a high Purity percentage

And Gypsy13 I don't have eyes I have an eye but I need a monocle to see with it.

Also I'm not sure how to check if it has a high Purity percentage, should it be on the sea salt box?

 

Thanks Gypsy13, she is acting a little lethargic.



Coradee, thanks I will check that out.



Ya unfortunately, that was the most worrying thing about it/startling.



Ya I don't think she is either. Possible, but the only decoration she has is a small skull which doesn't have anything that should have caught it. No sharp or rough edges. We also can't find her fin in the water at all.

Also I'm not sure how to check if it has a high Purity percentage, should it be on the sea salt box?

Yes, it will state if it has any additives.

I have heard that bettas under stress will sometimes rip off their own fins, but I don't think Starfires quite that flexible to reach that particular area. If she is that flexible I'd like to be in her yoga class.

So it seems far more likely that Starfire was near decoration got startled/excited and she caught herself up on the decoration and ripped off her fin and a chunk.

As per moving forward I would definitely change the water at least every couple days, everyday would be best to prevent any kind of bacterial infection in the wound and continue adding salt after each water change, and make sure that the salt you're going to be using regularly has a high Purity percentage

And Gypsy13 I don't have eyes I have an eye but I need a monocle to see with it.

Hey, at this point I’ll take all the eye I can get! Thank you!

 

We're going to do the salt and water changes for the next few days and if she doesn't improve, then we're going to put her down. The only problem is, I can't figure out how to. We don't have a fish vet in our state, much less near us. So we don't really know what method to use...

 

We're going to do the salt and water changes for the next few days and if she doesn't improve, then we're going to put her down. The only problem is, I can't figure out how to. We don't have a fish vet in our state, much less near us. So we don't really know what method to use...

That’s covered under the aquarium forum tab as well. They suggest using clove oil so you may want to get some while you’re out and about. It sedates the fish. Evidently an overdose will kill it or some people then add vodka to do the deed. I haven’t tried it.

 

That’s covered under the aquarium forum tab as well. They suggest using clove oil so you may want to get some while you’re out and about. It sedates the fish. Evidently an overdose will kill it or some people then add vodka to do the deed. I haven’t tried it.

Thanks.

 

I hope this works. I’m hoping this is a link to the most humane way.
Keep me posted ok? I’m still hopeful.

What is the Most Humane Way to Euthanize a Fish?

 

We are gunna go to sleep, 2:49 am here. When I wake I'll check any messages I have missed and respond right away. To anyone who has or might help further thank you all so much. I know this fish is important to her and I have one like it that I spoil and is my special baby so I know its hard on her, cause she and I bond a lot with animals and I know it would hit me hard if anything happened to my baby Tui. And thanks for the link Gypsy13, I'll check it out and will defiantly post updates in our attempt to problem solve this.

 

Awesome. Best wishes.

 

Also I'm not sure how to check if it has a high Purity percentage, should it be on the sea salt box?

Some salt companys will say on there box others won't so pretty much if your ingredient list says salt your good, most likely though. Probably have a second ingredient and that's the anti-caking ingredient so the salt doesn't Clump up in high humidity environments. So whatever salt you have I would Google whatever that anti-caking ingredient is cuz some are really bad others aren't so much. And if you did want to go out and buy salt I would either get rocksalt intended for human consumption not for driveways or aquarium salt.

As per the missing piece of Starfire it could have landed down in the gravel, under the decorations, in the skull Starfire may have even eaten it

 

We are gunna go to sleep, 2:49 am here. When I wake I'll check any messages I have missed and respond right away. To anyone who has or might help further thank you all so much. I know this fish is important to her and I have one like it that I spoil and is my special baby so I know its hard on her, cause she and I bond a lot with animals and I know it would hit me hard if anything happened to my baby Tui. And thanks for the link Gypsy13, I'll check it out and will defiantly post updates in our attempt to problem solve this.

Yes I'm going to bed now too it's 2:05 here. Best wishes and I really hope she gets better

 

It looks like it has progressed to body rot. As others have mentioned, frequent water changes and some salt may help. Some medicines may also be required:

Fungus Clear by API
Erythromycin by API
Tetracycline by API
(copied from bettabox)

Medicate as per instruction on each one.

 

I'm so sorry you're going through this had you been treating with melafix without daily water changes? In an aquarium that small, treating fin rot requires daily water changes...
I couldn't tell you how to help her once it's this advanced, but I really hope she gets better!!!