Ragged Betta Fins, Dark Blob, and White Stuff

First, recently my newest betta's fins have been looking a bit ragged, (I don't think it's fin rot) but I'm not sure what it is. We got him about three weeks ago and he wasn't showing any signs of poor health. I don't know what could be wrong. We've been changing his tank water about 30% to 40% every 3 to 4 days. I'll insert a picture of him before and after the ragged fins.

Second, my other betta has a lump of darker colored scales on his side. They're not raised but they're definitely darker, and he isn't showing any signs of bad health either. I don't think it something I really have to worry about... I would just really like to know what it is, what caused it, and if it's normal. I'll insert one picture of him.

Third, there's some white stuff growing on one of my water heaters... is it algae? I will insert a picture.

Thank you guys!!!

 

I think your Betta has fin rot so just pick up some medicine

 

I’m not entirely convinced it’s fin rot, but I could be wrong. Do you have any sharp decorations in with him? Those could be tearing at his fins. It’s also possible he’s nipping them himself. Is the tank fully cycled?

The other betta’s lump looks like it’s just some sort of lump or growth under his skin. This can even occur just due to genetics. Has he always had the lump?

The white stuff on the suction cup and heater is quite common and is harmless. You can rinse it off in your dirty tank water when you do water changes if you don’t like the look of it. Is this tank cycled? That white algae stuff often grows while tanks are cycling.

 

I’m not entirely convinced it’s fin rot, but I could be wrong. Do you have any sharp decorations in with him? Those could be tearing at his fins. It’s also possible he’s nipping them himself. Is the tank fully cycled?

The other betta’s lump looks like it’s just some sort of lump or growth under his skin. This can even occur just due to genetics. Has he always had the lump?

The white stuff on the suction cup and heater is quite common and is harmless. You can rinse it off in your dirty tank water when you do water changes if you don’t like the look of it. Is this tank cycled? That white algae stuff often grows while tanks are cycling.

His tank isn't fully cycled. Due to the circumstance under which we ended up with him, I was forced to start cycling the tank with him in it. There are not any sharp decorations. The only things in there with him are three live plants, one Marino ball, and his filter and heater.

The other betta fish I got when he was still a betta fry. The lump appeared as he grew up. Is there any possibility that it's a tumor?

Thank you so much for replying! I was getting a little nervous about the fish!

 

His tank isn't fully cycled. Due to the circumstance under which we ended up with him, I was forced to start cycling the tank with him in it. There are not any sharp decorations. The only things in there with him are three live plants, one Marino ball, and his filter and heater.

The other betta fish I got when he was still a betta fry. The lump appeared as he grew up. Is there any possibility that it's a tumor?

Thank you so much for replying! I was getting a little nervous about the fish!

Gotcha. Well, that would explain why you're seeing the growth on the heater if the tank has not fully cycled yet. Are you dosing the tank with Seachem Prime? This would help to detoxify the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels while the tank is cycling. He may be biting his tail out of stress from the water parameters. Do you have a way to test your water?

Did he have the lump already when you got him? It is possible it is a tumor or growth of some sort. These are fairly common in betta fish.

 

Gotcha. Well, that would explain why you're seeing the growth on the heater if the tank has not fully cycled yet. Are you dosing the tank with Seachem Prime? This would help to detoxify the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels while the tank is cycling. He may be biting his tail out of stress from the water parameters. Do you have a way to test your water?

Did he have the lump already when you got him? It is possible it is a tumor or growth of some sort. These are fairly common in betta fish.

I'll go and buy Seachem Prime tomorrow, if that's what you would recommend. I have been testing the ammonia levels every two days and it has been at 0.5 ammonia consistently. I also have a ph tester, and the last time I checked the ph was at 7.6.

He didn't have the lump when I got him, it showed up later. If it is a tumor is there anything I can do?

 

If your ammonia is at 0.5, then yes, it would help him if you got some Seachem Prime. You can dose that once a day until the tank is fully cycled. I would just let the lump be. Chances are it's just a little growth or something. Happens all the time with bettas.

 

If your ammonia is at 0.5, then yes, it would help him if you got some Seachem Prime. You can dose that once a day until the tank is fully cycled. I would just let the lump be. Chances are it's just a little growth or something. Happens all the time with bettas.

Thanks for your help!