HELP!!! dieing betta!

sickbettaneedshelp

i have had my female crowntail betta fish for roughly a month, i feed it 5 pellets of food a day and my betta fish would usally eat them no problem. but about a week ago my fish just started lying around on the bottom of the tank, and not eating. i think she has been showing signs of fin rot but im not sure, the ends of her tail fins are turning darkbrown/blackish color.
if it is fin rot that is my problem what medication do i use???? also should i move it into a smaller tank to try and get it to eat??? WHAT ARE YOUR SUGGESTIONS PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meatpuppet

hi sorry to hear about your situation
first of all you only need one thread for your topic.

and then to help us help you can you tell us
the size of tank
is it heated? (hope so)
filtered?
what are the water parameters (nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, and ph)
what is your water changing scedual?
how long have you had your betta and does he have any tank mates?

if it is fin rot, it usally helps to change 25% of water every two days. or you could get a specific fin rot medication or a more general antibiotic and your LFS.
but it would would be helpful if you answered the questions abouve

sickbettaneedshelp

the tank is 1.5 gallons
it has a air filter and a light at the top that supplies heat in the water
i usually change her water once a week or so. i do use water conditioner
she is the only fish in the tank

also i should add that iv tried feeding her flake food, along with pellets.
my fish seems to want to eat a little because she will go to the top of the tank and then attempt to eat a pellet and then she will spit it out.

Meatpuppet

when you said "air filter" did you mean an inside tank filter like a tetra whisper or does it just blow bubbles. if its an airpump just blowing bubbles there could be too much current for the betta. betta love still water/peacefull water.
and i recomend an acctuall submersable heater. most of the time lights wont take the temp up to a constant 78degrees. and since you have to turn out his light at night anyway, his temperature could drop drasticly, which could shock him.
and since she is the only one in the tank, you should just treat him in there.

do you have any pictures you can upload to confirm its fin rot?
you should try doing 25% water changes every couple of days to clear out any poor quality water

ErinBBC

Totally agree with Meatpuppet, get a heater, the light won't provide enough and at nigh the temp. drop will shock the fish for sure! Bettas that are too cold won't eat because their metabolism shuts down. Also make sure you supply a hiding place like a plastic cave with no rough edges or a silk plant, bettas that are stressed because they have nowhere to retreat to don't eat either. Also agree with Meatpuppet about the filter, the less disturbance the better.

What are your water parameters? By that I mean pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and chlorine levels. If you don't know, go get a test kit. If your water parameters are unsafe, the fish will get sick or poisoned.

Good luck!!