Betta Fish- split fins & fin rot

Torn

fishiness, that thread in the link you provided are talking about saltwater fish, a Betta is a freshwater fish. Although I think you and they are right in saying that Erythromycin can damage your biological filter. Also, I think it's best to only follow advice from people posting in the language that you speak or can fully understand, to avoid misunderstandings and possibly making things worse.

I have 5 piercings in my ears (including one in ear cartilage) and used a salt solution to help with the healing process and it works great. Don't knock it until you've tried it!


I'm glad Jimmy's feeling better monapica. :D

geekchicklet

Hello.

I am in great need of help. It's like my bettas fins are deteriorating before my eyes.

A couple of months ago, I noticed one of his fins was 'curling.' I made sure to keep his water clean and hoped for the best (as I read not too medicate too quickly).

Things were looking up.

One day, I woke up and fed him and he jerked his body. Pieces of fin fell off!

I changed his whole setup to a larger bowl with fresh plants. (I had considered an Eclipse 3, but my betta does NOT like water movement at ALL.) He seemed better for a while.

Then, clear signs of fin rot started showing.

I tried a medication they are supposed to eat. He won't eat it.

I tried Betta Fix -- No improvement.

I changed everything in his bowl and tried Melafix -- No improvement.

I changed everything and tried Maracyn -- There was improvement for about 2 1/2 days. Then, a big chunk of tail flaked off.

I changed everything and tried Fungus Clear. Within 24 hours, I noticed major improvements. This only lasted about 2 1/2 days, as well. Again, chunks of tail started coming off and a hole appeared.

Today, I put him in a 5.5 gallon aquarium. All plants have been removed. All he has is a mini heater and round stones. I put a fresh dose of Fungus Clear in. I also added 1 T of Aquarium Salt (after calling Jungle Labs to make sure this could be used in combination with Fungus Clear).

Some things to note:

- I have caught him turning and nipping his own tail.
- I give him complete water changes at LEAST once per week.
- I give him a partial change at LEAST once per week.
- I test his water with strips and tubes. All tests show normal levels. I have no ammonia, no nitrates, no nitrites. His pH always seems slightly acidic at first and is normal after a day or so. It does remain in the normal levels for bettas.
- I use Jungle's 'Tank Buddies' Water conditioner in filtered or spring water and test before putting him in.
- I have not been able to maintain steady water temps. They fluctuate between about 76 and 82.
- Some of his top fins are curled. His bottom fins are half perfect and half clumped and curled (but these are still quite long). It seems the bad half of his bottom fins are showing regrowth. There are some translucent, but slightly coloured patches where there were some fragile fins and tears before. Some damaged areas now have semi-translucent but semi-coloured bottoms. His back fins/tail are a MESS. The top half is showing a lot of shredding and within the past few hours I have noticed white ends. I can't tell if this is a secondary fungal infection or regrowth.
- His behaviour has seemed okay until these last few days. Now, he is showing discomfort.

I took photos but can't find my USB cable.

I bought that Eclipse 3, today, hoping I could nurse him back to health in the 5.5 gallon without a filter and move him to it afterward. I also purchased tetracycline (in case I needed it) and ordered Fungus Eliminator and Methylene Blue. No one here sells it and I won't get this for DAYS.

I hope that's more than enough information, but I will try to answer any other questions. I want to help him, but I don't know what else to do.

Thanks for your time.

Little-Fizz

Please post this in a thread of your own either in the betta section or freshwater disease and emergency. More people will notice that way and help you out.

geekchicklet

Thanks. I wasn't sure about the whole new thread/use existing thread thing.