Really Bad fin rot

Hello, my betta fish, Reef has had fin rot for over a year. Over the past few months, (6) I have been able to stop the fin rot. His fins even started to grow back a little. However, I put him in a new 20 gallon tank (do 15 because the water evaporates and is not filled to the top) and a month later, the fin rot has been shredding his fins. I use API betta fix to treat his fins, but I really am worried this would progress into body rot. The betta fix used to do its job properly, but now all it does is stop the fin rots rapid progress. I I miss a day of putting medicine, his fins would be devoured a whole bunch. All my parameters are fine, and I have no sharp objects in the tank. There is a filter and heater, a couple plants (I can’t get live ones), two logs, a coral reef decoration, and an air bubbler.

 

Betta fix can damage a bettas labyrinth organ, I would stop using it. Doing daily 25% water changes and adding in some Indian almond leaves would be my recommendation.

 

It could be stress, changes in water temperature and/or quality, substrate or plant density.
WC are the first defense while identifying additional causes.

 

Ok then, I’ll stop using the betta fix and buy som Almond Leaves off of Amazon. I can’t believe I used the betta fix for over a year! I really hope he can still breath from the top easily!

One question, will the Almond Leaves lower the PH? The PH in my aquarium is pretty low as it is, and I don’t want him to get burned.

 

Ok then, I’ll stop using the betta fix and buy som Almond Leaves off of Amazon. I can’t believe I used the betta fix for over a year! I really hope he can still breath from the top easily!

One question, will the Almond Leaves lower the PH? The PH in my aquarium is pretty low as it is, and I don’t want him to get burned.

They will only lower your pH if you have low kH, you use A LOT of them AND you leave them in long enough they start to decompose (3-4 weeks). What's your pH currently? Bettas actually prefer soft, slightly acidic water.

 

It’s around a 5 and 6. I try to bring it up, but it doesn’t seems to work. I have the maximum GH and KH in my fish tank.

 

It’s around a 5 and 6. I try to bring it up, but it doesn’t seems to work. I have the maximum GH and KH in my fish tank.

That is pretty low, have you noticed swings in pH over time or does it stay the same? How exactly have you tried to bring up you GH? What are you gH and kH in exact numbers?
It's very strange that your pH is so low but your kH is at the maximum as you put it. kH is acts as a buffer that would prevent your pH from dropping so low.

 

The PH is stable, no matter what I add, It doesn’t work. I don’t use any chemical things either.
Here is a picture of my PH Strip, and a couple images of my betta.

 

My betta had fin rot problems too and he thrived from 15% water changes every other day and Indian almost leaves.

 

I have also just gotten some almond leaves off Amazon. Should Instill but the Bettafix in his tank today? Or should I hold off until tomorrow?

 

There are also powdered medicines you can use to treat the fin rot such as API fin and body cure.

 

You have a bubble bar in the tank, are you using it on a regular base?
It may be hard on him as his fins are like a huge sail.

 

The bubble bar is on all the time, but only at a few bubbles, so he doesn’t get too annoyed by it, and out of fear that it will damage his fins more. He likes the current of the bubbles. Should I add something to lower the Ph?

 

The bubble bar is on all the time, but only at a few bubbles, so he doesn’t get too annoyed by it, and out of fear that it will damage his fins more. He likes the current of the bubbles. Should I add something to lower the Ph?

The Indian almond leaves will help lower the pH. What is the current pH? As long as the pH is stable, you don’t have to worry about it.
It would help if you filled this out:
Fish Emergency Template | 376562 | Freshwater Fish Disease and Fish Health

IMO it looks more like fin biting than fin rot.

 

Ahhhhh I ment upper PH! Oops!
Anyway, the PH is 6 or less, here is the Emergency Template.


Tank
Volume - 20 gallons
How long has the tank been running? - One month, I just switched.
Does it have a filter? - Yes
Does it have a heater? - Yes
What is the water temperature? - 78 degrees
What is the entire stocking of this tank? - One Halfmoon Male Betta

Maintenance
How often do you change the water? - Every week.
How much of the water do you change? - Usually I change 20 % of the water.
What do you use to treat your water? - I use spring water, not tap water. I cannot use my tap water because it is hard water.
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water? I - vacuum the water

*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish? - Yes
What do you use to test the water? - I

Ammonia: N.A
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0.25
pH: 6 or less

Feeding
How often do you feed your fish? - Every two or three nights and every afternoon.
How much do you feed your fish?- A pinch
What brand of food do you feed your fish? - Micro Pellets, and bloodworms
Do you feed frozen or freeze-dried foods?- No

Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish? - Twelve months
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms? - Twelve Months
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms? - Ragged fins
Have you started any treatment for the illness?- Yes, I use API Bettafix. However, I stopped when I learned when it damages his labyrinth organ.
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase?- He was very pale, but then he regrew his color
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all? - His behavior is the same, but his fins are choppy. There is a lot of blue and green in his fins.

 

We just moved him to a 1/2 gallon tank and started treating him with aquarium salt.

 

We just moved him to a 1/2 gallon tank and started treating him with aquarium salt.

How much aquarium salt are you using? A 1/2 might be hard to dose with salt, at least from my experience.
Like I mentioned above, I think he might be biting his fins. Betta fish can bite their fins from stress, boredom, or other causes. I think what might help after you’ve finished treating him with aquarium salt, is adding Indian almond leaves to his tank and maybe adding more decorations like driftwood (or a different hardscape) and live plants (if you can ofc), so that he has more to explore.
Your Fish Stuff : Bulk Fish Food and Aquarium Supplies has some great deals on plants

 

Ok, then, would adding a tankmate be a good idea? I feel he's doing it out of boredom, and I've been thinking of adding some Neon Tetras as long as they dont multiply.

 

Ok, then, would adding a tankmate be a good idea? I feel he's doing it out of boredom, and I've been thinking of adding some Neon Tetras as long as they dont multiply.

In the 20 gallon? Imo I don’t usually recommend neon tetras to be with bettas because they can sometimes bully your betta, stress him out, and even nip his fins. You could maybe try pygmy rasboras (or other rasboras) or corydoras.
Another thing that can help him be entertained is adding live plants or even teaching him tricks.

 

I have been teaching him tricks, I use the R2 fish training kit.

I’ll see if I can add some other fishes in his tank.I’ve been hoping to add other fish but my family is hard to convince.

My tank is also very full with plants. I can send you a picture after I full clean it.

Do you have any other ideas on what do do if he’s bored?

Thank you so much for helping!

 

I have been teaching him tricks, I use the R2 fish training kit.

I’ll see if I can add some other fishes in his tank.I’ve been hoping to add other fish but my family is hard to convince.

My tank is also very full with plants. I can send you a picture after I full clean it.

Do you have any other ideas on what do do if he’s bored?

Thank you so much for helping!

Adding tannins, like I mentioned earlier would probably help. I noticed my betta become a lot more active when I added them in. He’s also keeping himself entertained making bubble nests lol. He would rarely build bubble nests before I added the tannins in. Do you have floating plants? I heard bettas like those too.

 

API fungus cure helped my bettas fin rot. I do think it looks more like biting then rot. Might be both...
Imo, you could add 6 neon tetras and 6 corydoras if you want.