Problems With My Bettas (2 Pics)

First, Erick is changing colours, which is a bit weird. Or is that normal? The black is spreading and he's getting metallic sea green stripes as seen in pic below.

Second, Mr Melinko's tail has many splits from a fight at the pet shop, and some of the splits go straight to his fin base, what can I do to help him heal besides frequent water changes? Should I add salt or something?

Thanks all in advance! More pics of Erick are Here and more pics of Mr Melinko are Here (Cross posted everywhere, sorry! I want as much help and opinions as poss as they are both getting worse!)

Erick:



Water parameters
--Temerature range: 75-79F
--pH: 7.8
--GH: no test kit for this test
--KH:no test kit for this test
--Ammonia: 0ppm
--Nitrate: 0.2ppm
--Nitrite: 0ppm
--Water change frequency: 25% 2x week
Tank set up
--Size: 27ltr
--Substrate: sand
--Filtration: built in pad and bio
--Furnishings: lots of plants, terracotta plant pot
--Other tank mates: none
--How long has it been set-up? 2 years
--When was the last new fish added? 31/03/07 (when I got him)
--Is there a heater in the tank? yes
--Symptoms / Problem description: nibbled fins - some with white tip though not fluffy, got stuck to the filter the other day then just swam off on his own like he was just leaning on it, but has been fine for last 2 days and filter is very weak, also has colour change, was all pale pink with black scales when I got him. Nibbled fins are from panda corys that lived with him til I caught them nibbling his fins while he was sleeping (in all fairness I was feeding them worms that are the same colour, but they've been moved)
--Action taken (if any): more water changes, plants around the filter to block easy fish access
--Medications used (if any): none

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Mr. Melinko


Water parameters
--Temerature range: 74-76F
--pH: 7.2
--GH: no test kit for this test
--KH:no test kit for this test
--Ammonia: 0ppm
--Nitrate: 0.3ppm
--Nitrite: 0ppm
--Water change frequency: 25% 3x week
Tank set up
--Size: 10ltr
--Substrate: none
--Filtration: none
--Furnishings: terracotta plant pot
--Other tank mates: none
--How long has it been set-up? few days
--When was the last new fish added? 06/04/07 (I only got him on 04/04/07 and he was in a holding tub til I got the tank set up, I used water from another tank and a terracotta pot from another tank as well.)
--Is there a heater in the tank? no - room is heated
--Symptoms / Problem description: split fins, though no fungus or rot. Was rescued from a pet store where the divider had fallen and he got mixed in with a much bigger betta.
--Action taken (if any): more water changes
--Medications used (if any): none

just watch out for fin rot with the second fish. it will heal alright in time with clean water and a rich diet. heres before and after shots of my veilvail that had his tail ripped off through the bottom of a breeding trap.
his tail was ripped off almost to the base, but he has made a good recovery. plenty bloodworms, and frequent water changes. i was lucky not to get any fin rot problems, but the first sign of it and you should treat!

Black patches are ammonia burns thats are healing.

That looks like it's just Ericks natural colouring. Certainly doesn't look like anything to worry about, so long as he is active, healthy and eating well.
Mr. Melinko doesn't appear to have any infection on those splits so good clean water and avoiding over feeding will do just fine. If any fraying or black edges appear then he needs treating for fungal infection. A short salt bath will help too especially when it appears rapidly. Avoid Melafix. Myaxcin (spl) is excellent or any other anti-fungal remidy.
P.

blue_betta said:

just watch out for fin rot with the second fish. it will heal alright in time with clean water and a rich diet. heres before and after shots of my veilvail that had his tail ripped off through the bottom of a breeding trap.
his tail was ripped off almost to the base, but he has made a good recovery. plenty bloodworms, and frequent water changes. i was lucky not to get any fin rot problems, but the first sign of it and you should treat!

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Wow, I didn't know if they would grow back or just heal over and stay short and tatty. I feed them on bloodworms, brine, and all sorts of other frozen foods.

Wilder said:

Black patches are ammonia burns thats are healing.

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My last goldfish that had ammonia burn the affected bits turned white.. Ammonia is still testing at 0, and I just went and checked. So why does he have more black then when I got him when the ammonia has stayed at 0?

Miss Dib Dabs said:

That looks like it's just Ericks natural colouring. Certainly doesn't look like anything to worry about, so long as he is active, healthy and eating well.
Mr. Melinko doesn't appear to have any infection on those splits so good clean water and avoiding over feeding will do just fine. If any fraying or black edges appear then he needs treating for fungal infection. A short salt bath will help too especially when it appears rapidly. Avoid Melafix. Myaxcin (spl) is excellent or any other anti-fungal remidy.
P.

Click to expand...

-nods- thanks! Erick has been eating as far as I can tell, he wont eat when I am in the room as he likes to follow me, but if I leave for a min and come back the food is gone, and I did see him eat 2 bloodworms last night so thats good

Mr Melinko I feed with a pippet and give it to him bit by bit, once he has had enough or starts snubbing food I stop feeding him to keep down on waist as he doesn't have a filter yet.

Thanks so much guys!