Something’s wrong - again

My betta was fine this morning, he was active, swimming normally, nothing was wrong. Then about an hour ago, I noticed that he was erratically swimming, and he had something on his tail. I’m not sure how to describe it the thing on his tail. I guess it’s just the tip of his tail that discolored? The tip of his tail is normally white, but now there is one spot that it a pinkish orange (maybe a little red?) color. He’s also not reacting to anything now (but he is moving his eyes when I move my finger outside of his tank). I’m currently doing a fish in cycle bc I didn’t know about cycling before I got him. I’ve been having trouble keeping the ammonia down. Currently, (after a 25% WC) the ammonia is 0.50ppm and almost 1.0ppm. My plants are also slightly discolored (anubias is slightly yellow and moss balls are slightly brown). Could this be ammonia poisoning?

I ordered a 10 gallon tank today and I’m going to start cycling most likely this week. I just need my betta to be okay until the new tank is ready.

One more thing:
I don’t know if this could be related to why he’s having problems or not, but ever since I got him he had a small white dot on his lip. It’s not fuzzy, it’s not getting bigger, it’s not affecting him in anyway. It’s just there.

Edit: He just looked like if he was coughing? That can’t be good right? He’s sitting at the bottom of the tank and he’s kind of turned upward. I’ll attach a photo. (The water also looks a little bit cloudy for some reason).

 

There should be no Ammonia that you leave in the tank, even during cycling. I don't know what's wrong but I'm sure it has to do with Ammonia. Water changes right now are very important. The tank he is in looks very small. The tank size, all water parameters, and any tank mates would be crucial for us to know right now. If I were you I would start by doing 50% water changes, filling the tank back up. And repeating until there is barely or no Ammonia left (tank flush). Best wishes for your fish.

 

I would also pick up a bottle of Seachem Prime to detoxify the ammonia in your tank

 

There has to be ammonia in the water to feed the bacteria to cycle your tank. You want it minimum though. Twig is right you need some Prime to protect your Betta from the ammonia and Nitrites. Do water changes to keep ammonia below 1ppm. Over that and the Prime won't work to protect.

 

There has to be ammonia in the water to feed the bacteria to cycle your tank. You want it minimum though.

I didn't really take that into consideration. Thank you for catching me there.

 

There should be no Ammonia that you leave in the tank, even during cycling. I don't know what's wrong but I'm sure it has to do with Ammonia. Water changes right now are very important. The tank he is in looks very small. The tank size, all water parameters, and any tank mates would be crucial for us to know right now. If I were you I would start by doing 50% water changes, filling the tank back up. And repeating until there is barely or no Ammonia left (tank flush). Best wishes for your fish.

The tank is 2.5 gallon.
No tank mates.
GH - 30ppm
KH - 40ppm
pH - in between 7.0 and 7.5
I’m using API test strips so it’s hard to tell what the exact number is.
Nitrite - probably 0ppm
Nitrate - either 0ppm or 20ppm I honestly can’t tell.
I’ll do the tank flush.

 

I agree with NBettas83....please get that ammonia level down to 0 if you can. If you have access to Indian almond leaves, you can add that to his water. It will help a lot.

If you can't get the ammonia level down right away, maybe you can move him to a container that you could use as a quarantine/hospital tank. I use a 2 gallon glass cookie jar as my hospital tank. It is easier to do frequent water changes and takes your fish out of the bad environment.

You can keep him in a suitable container without a filter if you do frequent water changes. He will need a heater for the hospital tank if you have one.

He is very beautiful. I wish you the best!

 

I would also pick up a bottle of Seachem Prime to detoxify the ammonia in your tank

I ordered Seachem Prime. I’ll most likely get it during the weekend. For now I have topfin water conditioner.

 

I agree with NBettas83....please get that ammonia level down to 0 if you can. If you have access to Indian almond leaves, you can add that to his water. It will help a lot.

If you can't get the ammonia level down right away, maybe you can move him to a container that you could use as a quarantine/hospital tank. I use a 2 gallon glass cookie jar as my hospital tank. It is easier to do frequent water changes and takes your fish out of the bad environment.

You can keep him in a suitable container without a filter if you do frequent water changes. He will need a heater for the hospital tank if you have one.

He is very beautiful. I wish you the best!

Okay I’ll order Indian almond leaves today. I don’t have a container to put him in rn. All I have is the one he came in. If I flush the tank, will he be better?

 

I forgot to mention that I think my filter may be the cause of this? It has a pretty strong flow, so I covered it with a sponge, but I’m scared that the sponge might be causing it not to work properly. Any suggestions on what I should do?

Also how would I flush a 2.5 gallon tank? How do I know it’s fully flushed?

 

Same with my fish. Right before I got his new tank he became sick for a whole month. I used Furan-2 and Jungle brand Fungus Clear. Just keep the tank nice and clean (conditioner water BEFORE adding to the tank) Vacuum the. gravel, and keep an eye on him. Try and keep the water around 80-83 degrees. That's what helped my fish the most. If it is an infection (because when there is a lot of ammonia it weakens his immune system) don't use bettafix or melafix. Those are just oils and can actually hurt their organ that allows them to breath air and water. Please give updates!

 

I forgot to mention that I think my filter may be the cause of this? It has a pretty strong flow, so I covered it with a sponge, but I’m scared that the sponge might be causing it not to work properly. Any suggestions on what I should do?

Also how would I flush a 2.5 gallon tank? How do I know it’s fully flushed?

You can buy 'filter media' at a pet store but the easier thing is to make a buffer. Look up "easy water bottle filter buffer". its made from a water bottle so it doesn't cost money.

 

Watch him closely after you flush the tank. He should show some signs of improvement.

Is the sponge an in-take sponge that fits on the actual filter? Or is it attached to the outflow from the filter?

As long as the tank water can go through the filter, that shouldn't be a problem. Yes, bettas do not like a strong current, and I like many others have had to create a baffle of some sort.

 

Same with my fish. Right before I got his new tank he became sick for a whole month. I used Furan-2 and Jungle brand Fungus Clear. Just keep the tank nice and clean (conditioner water BEFORE adding to the tank) Vacuum the. gravel, and keep an eye on him. Try and keep the water around 80-83 degrees. That's what helped my fish the most. If it is an infection (because when there is a lot of ammonia it weakens his immune system) don't use bettafix or melafix. Those are just oils and can actually hurt their organ that allows them to breath air and water. Please give updates!

I got him back in November, but these problems started up recently. I always make sure I do all the things you mentioned. The only thing is that the heater I currently have isn’t the best either and the temperature is about 77-78°F. I’ll make sure to keep you updated!

I’m not too worried about the dot on his lip for now, it could just be his coloring. It doesn’t really seem like a fungus to me, but I could be wrong. I think I’ll make a separate thread for that after I get the ammonia down. Here’s a picture of the white dot though:

 

I got him back in November, but these problems started up recently. I always make sure I do all the things you mentioned. The only thing is that the heater I currently have isn’t the best either and the temperature is about 77-78°F. I’ll make sure to keep you updated!

I’m not too worried about the dot on his lip for now, it could just be his coloring. It doesn’t really seem like a fungus to me, but I could be wrong. I think I’ll make a separate thread for that after I get the ammonia down. Here’s a picture of the white dot though:

ive seen a couple fish with that and it didnt bother them much. My rule is as long as he is eating and you're taking are of the water then he should be ok. Give him 2 weeks at least because you might not see improvement until then

 

Watch him closely after you flush the tank. He should show some signs of improvement.

Is the sponge an in-take sponge that fits on the actual filter? Or is it attached to the outflow from the filter?

As long as the tank water can go through the filter, that shouldn't be a problem. Yes, bettas do not like a strong current, and I like many others have had to create a baffle of some sort.

How would I flush a 2.5 gallon tank? And how would I know it’s flushed?

The sponge is on the outflow of the filter. I’ll try to buffer it with a water bottle like others have mentioned.

 

How would I flush a 2.5 gallon tank? And how would I know it’s flushed?

The sponge is on the outflow of the filter. I’ll try to buffer it with a water bottle like others have mentioned.

So I flushed my 2 gallon tank once and that actually made my betta sicker. My opinion is 50%-75% waterchange then next day 50% then day 3 50%-75%. Idk I won't flush my tank again because it made him so sick I thought he would die. Just don't ever change 100% at one time because you might lose good bacteria.

 

As long as the sponge isn't backing up the water in the filter and overflowing its ok. I put one on mine because it was too loud...lol

 

So I flushed my 2 gallon tank once and that actually made my betta sicker. My opinion is 50%-75% waterchange then next day 50% then day 3 50%-75%. Idk I won't flush my tank again because it made him so sick I thought he would die. Just don't ever change 100% at one time because you might lose good bacteria.

Okay so I shouldn't do a tank flush then... I already did a 25% WC, and I tested the water after the WC. Should I do another 25% WC so that it would be a 50% WC? Or should I do one tomorrow? He's swimming a little bit more now and he gets mad when I do water changes, so I'm thinking I'll just wait to do the next one tomorrow?

 

As long as the sponge isn't backing up the water in the filter and overflowing its ok. I put one on mine because it was too loud...lol

The sponge might be backing up the water tbh... I'll try to use a water bottle to buffer the flow. The sponge is also making my filter quieter lol, but I guess I'll have to change it.

 

What is the ammonia at right now after the water change? If its still kinda high I would do another 25% today. (hes already mad at you right? lol then tomorrow he can be happy all day! ) Then do at least 50% (or some say more) every water change.

 

What is the ammonia at right now after the water change? If its still kinda high I would do another 25% today. (hes already mad at you right? lol then tomorrow he can be happy all day! ) Then do at least 50% (or some say more) every water change.

I didn't check the water before the WC, but currently it is 0.50ppm and almost 1.0ppm. I guess I should do another 25% WC right? And should I do another 50% WC tomorrow?

 

I didn't check the water before the WC, but currently it is 0.50ppm and almost 1.0ppm. I guess I should do another 25% WC right? And should I do another 50% WC tomorrow?

I would if its still that high.

 

How would I flush a 2.5 gallon tank? And how would I know it’s flushed?

The sponge is on the outflow of the filter. I’ll try to buffer it with a water bottle like others have mentioned.

If you did a 25% and he looks like he is perking up, I would think that is ok. But I would continue to do water changes daily so that ammonia doesn't build up to a dangerous level again.

He will put out enough waste in order to keep your small tank cycling if he is eating . And Prime is great for keeping the ammonia from hurting your fish. I have had my cycle crash on me a few times, and I dosed with Pime (you can overdose in an emergency) until I got the cycle back.

 

Sorry just saw your note about the .5 ammonia. Yes, please do another water change!

 

Sorry just saw your note about the .5 ammonia. Yes, please do another water change!

I'll do one rn and I'll test the water again. Ty!

 

Okay so I shouldn't do a tank flush then... I already did a 25% WC, and I tested the water after the WC. Should I do another 25% WC so that it would be a 50% WC? Or should I do one tomorrow? He's swimming a little bit more now and he gets mad when I do water changes, so I'm thinking I'll just wait to do the next one tomorrow?

yeah maybe in the morning. If you have to take him out to clean you can sometimes my betta tries to fight my gravel vacuum

 

Just suck some water out and put some back in. Shouldn't bother him too much. I would only vacuum once a week.

 

yeah maybe in the morning. If you have to take him out to clean you can sometimes my betta tries to fight my gravel vacuum

Just suck some water out and put some back in. Shouldn't bother him too much. I would only vacuum once a week.

I did the 25% WC and I improved the filter. The ammonia still seems to be 0.50ppm, but it's closer to 0.25ppm now. Should I do a 3rd WC that's 25% or should I wait? Also ty for all the help!

 

I did the 25% WC and I improved the filter. The ammonia still seems to be 0.50ppm, but it's closer to 0.25ppm now. Should I do a 3rd WC that's 25% or should I wait? Also ty for all the help!

You changed 50% your good I think until tomorrow. Do 50% or more tomorrow. When you get your prime put it in right away..

 

I did the other 50% WC today. The ammonia is now at 0.25%. Should I do a 25% or 50% WC tomorrow?

 

I did the other 50% WC today. The ammonia is now at 0.25%. Should I do a 25% or 50% WC tomorrow?

50%

 

I did the 50% WC again today. I haven't checked the water yet, but how long will I have to keep doing a 50% WC? I'm also doing fish in cycling, so what should I do next?

 

I would do a 25 to 50% water change daily. I would check the water parameters daily as well. If you have Prime and are dosing according to the instructions on the bottle (the over-dosing instructions), you could probably get away with water changes every other day (every 48 hours).

It's going to take time, patience, and Prime!