ragged betta fins

hansgruber7 said:

The ammonia could be the problem. Although be careful. I find the API test under certain lighting can appear slightly green when it's really not. But any ammonia above zero will cause health problems in your fish.

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PheonixKingZ said:

I wouldn’t recommend adding any more chemicals right now.

Large daily water changes (The more the better, but I would start with 40% per day) every day for a week, or until things improve, will help her fins heal.

The water changes will also help get the ammonia

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finfayce said:

thanks to everyone for replies. i read to do 100% water change. i did almost that. i didn’t fill the tank to the very top. i thought water coming out of the filter getting air might be good. i changed the cartridge of the filter but didn’t clean the filter. and i had put him in a quart pyrex cup along with the old water. i added that old water. i will do daily water changes. online said every other day.
his body color is fading. so sad he was a deep navy blue with partly red fins.

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Slaphppy7 said:

DON'T change the cartridges, that's where your BB colony mainly grows, just rinse it in old tank water when it gets dirty.

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PheonixKingZ said:

I concur. Swish it out in the tank water you just took out. Never replace it or rinse it in tap water.

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hansgruber7 said:

I don't recommend 100% as that's unnecessarily stressful for the fish. No need to do more than 75-80% at a time. Also preserves more beneficial bacteria.

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hansgruber7 said:

I don't recommend 100% as that's unnecessarily stressful for the fish. No need to do more than 75-80% at a time. Also preserves more beneficial bacteria.

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PheonixKingZ said:

I concur. Swish it out in the tank water you just took out. Never replace it or rinse it in tap water.

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finfayce said:

thanks- i understand that’s the recommendation of several forum members. but does one ever replace the cartridge?

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PheonixKingZ said:

Not unless they are literally falling apart, and you can’t use it any more.

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finfayce said:

View attachment 129732

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