"sticky" Fins... (poorly Betta)

So, Rocket's fins have been growing out nicely after his finrot at the end of last year. Steady regrowth and a seemingly happy fish.

Yesterday I noticed he was being abit on the lethargic side, not like him since he's usually pretty active. Even wedging himself into corners and just staying there. So this morning I did a water change just in case and noticed his fins are somewhat clamped/stuck at the ends. I say stuck because eevn when I get him to flare they don't open up. (see the pic)



Has anyone encountered this before ? Know what's wrong with him ?

And before anyone asks (Ph 6.5, Ammonia 0, NitrIte 0, NitrAte <10, temp 24.5 C, 5.5 gallons)

Im assuming you mean Nitrite 10 and Nitrate 0?

if not id test the water again, as if my ates/ites serves me nitrate and ammonia should be 0 but nitrite is ok to have a small amount.

DarkEntity said:

Im assuming you mean Nitrite 10 and Nitrate 0?

if not id test the water again, as if my ates/ites serves me nitrate and ammonia should be 0 but nitrite is ok to have a small amount.

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Thanks for the thoughts. I think you have your I and A swapped tho' .. NitrIte is highly toxic to fish. You don't want any to be present. NitrAte is the end result of the nitrogen cycle. Ammonia is converted to NitrIte which is converted to NitrAte.

NitrAte is the least toxic form and is reduced by water changes. (The others are too, but your filtration should be coping with those and converting them to the less toxic nitrAte.)

*edit: and I think I need to go take typing lessons...

*edit 2: P.S. My tap water doesn't have measurable nitrAtes either. Unusual, from what I can gather.
*edit 3: Trying to sound less like a pompous a$$.

Hmm.. guess I've discovered a new betta problem then.. I must really suck as betta keepers go.

*breaks out his google skills*

IME this can happen due to a lack of vitamin C in the diet.
short term solution is to let him have access to direct sunlight for 3-4 hours a day for a week
long term is to use a betta specific food like hikari betta-bio gold or tetras betta flake.

if you can't find any betta specific foods in your area look for vitamin suppliments such as Seras fishtamin
or waterlifes vitazin

thats what I did with mine sat him in the garden on a table so he could have a sunbathe really perked him up. Mind you pushed to find sun at the moment..

Well his main food is Hikari betta bio-gold with occasional bloodworm treats. Sunshine ... could be a good trick indeed.

It's not that he's acting out of sorts, I think he has been a bit stressed so that may be a factor. He's still as chirpy and inquisitive as ever, eating well and flaring at black plastic (don't ask it's the only thing he flares at, lol), building a bubble nest as I watch and generally being an attention whore.

Just when he flares his tail does not open up. I have found references to it being a symptom of velvet during my google search, but he is not exhibiting any other symptoms that I can discern. I've knocked the temp up a bit to 26C to see if that helps him. He does get light in his tank for 8 hours a day (flourescent "daylight") tho that may not be enough. He should also be getting indirect sunlight since the tank is on my computer desk adjacent to the window (usually has the blind down).

Thanks for the thoughts guys. If anything else springs to mind please share

could be old age as well. one of mine who had a fight with one in a divider ..his fins are clumped where they healed. His sparring partner who died only last week through old age was the same. I think as they get older they do get a bit clumpier!

I believe that too. When one of my boys is getting up in betta years, their fins tend to get more "fused" together.

Well, since I don't know for sure what is wrong with him I am giving him an anti bacterial treatment and treatmentfor ich/velvet. Today his tail has unfulred a little bit but there is a white substance on parts of his tail and ventral fin. I'm not sure but I suspect it may be "excess mucus" which was causing his fins to stick. They're still not fully opened but it's certainly progress.

I suppose it could be fungal, I'll certainly keep an eye on it.

Excess mucus implies to me there may be some kind of parasite affecting him so I plan to complete the velvet treatment. Apart from the sticky fins he still seems quite happy.

As for his age I can't say anything for sure. He was bought at a pet shop but already full grown, so he could be any age before I got him. I've only had him 3 months so I still think of him as being quite young.

I'm relatively new to betta keeping so I'm liable to panic at any slight change That's why i keep harrassing you lot. I appreciate the comments so far.

You are far from pompus and absolutely correct!

Pleas, keep asking. We learn too from the exchanges. It is nice that you are concerned.

I had two bettas die from this and now my crowntail is showing signs (harder to stick together). I know the water is pretty good, but he doesnt get much light as the only light I have is way too powerful for it...

Do you reckon I should have the light on more? I don't want to lose another fishie!

Well Rocket's recovery is continuing. Poor guy looks like he's been through the wars. His tail is less sticky, but still far from right and his ventral fin has opened back up normally but the edges are a little ragged. Velvet can be stubborn so I will be continuing treatment for another few days at least.

The "white stuff" on his fins did indeed clear up by itself overnight with no intervention from me. I'm guessing it was indeed excess slime coat to ward off some irritant.

The cause of this bout "appears" to have been his ex tank mates. I noticed one evening when Rocket was snoozing on the bottom of the tank one of the Aspidoras pauciradiatus (false spotted corydora, I think is the common name.) swam up and nibbled on his finnage. I don't think there was malice in the action, the Aspidora merely thought the strand of fin was food. In any event they have been removed to another tank and Rocket is once again sole tennant. Maybe this is a warning to others with corydora type tank mates. They're not necessarily harmless ! (Tho I'm sure they intend no malice.)

So it looks like he'll be back to fin regrowth treatment in a week all going well.

lisa_perry75 said:

I had two bettas die from this and now my crowntail is showing signs (harder to stick together). I know the water is pretty good, but he doesnt get much light as the only light I have is way too powerful for it...

Do you reckon I should have the light on more? I don't want to lose another fishie!

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Light can't hurt, I've found it really perks them up!!

Glod said:

Well Rocket's recovery is continuing. Poor guy looks like he's been through the wars. His tail is less sticky, but still far from right and his ventral fin has opened back up normally but the edges are a little ragged. Velvet can be stubborn so I will be continuing treatment for another few days at least.

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Glad to hear that the little guy's on the mend, my fingers are crossed for him!!