Betta and oto with wounds? Or is this bacterial

[Many pets]

What does this look like? Did water change, cleaned filter. Started treating with Melafix. Should I treat with something else?

 

[Magnum Man]

need more info... tank mates, water condition, tank set up ( could they have gotten caught in something??? )

 

[Many pets]

2 bettas total,both have same condition. One Otto, one siamese algae eater, and one redline pencilfish. Redline and siamese algae eater seem fine. Planted tank, few ramshorn snails.
Did get behind on water changes. Did a 50 percent water change and cleaned sponge filter. 20 gallon tank.
Have done 3 doses of Melanie so far.
Should I continue with it or go to nitrofurazone?

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Two bettas in a 20 gallon tank are going to kill each other, and I suspect you're seeing injuries from fighting. You should rehome one of the bettas immediately if you want either of them to survive. The otto might have gotten hurt as collateral damage in the betta war. I wouldn't continue with the medications until you're completely sure what's going on; if these injuries get infected, treat the infection. For now, it's urgent that you find one of those bettas a new home. Once you get that done, there are some other issues with your stocking that could be fixed to make your fish a lot happier.

 

[Many pets]

They are female bettas. I should have clarified.

 

[Lcc86]

They are female bettas. I should have clarified.

Female bettas could still fight, female sororities are a tricky one to make work and usually needs lots of bettas with lots of space. As @WhistlingBadger said two bettas in a 20 gallon are going to come to blows in all likelihood.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

They are female bettas. I should have clarified.

That's a little different. Sometimes female bettas work, but often they are almost as aggressive as the males. Given the nature of the wounds, I suspect they are fighting when you aren't looking.

 

[outofwater]

Aren't the siamese algae eaters also somewhat territorial? The lone otto might be getting it from multiple fronts

Edit.
I don't recall where I read, heard or saw that the sae might be somewhat territorial, but what I read everywhere this afternoon all points to them being very peaceful, actually. Just updating my comment to prevent misunderstandings.

 

[Naughts]

Aren't the siamese algae eaters also somewhat territorial? The lone otto might be getting it from multiple fronts

Edit.
I don't recall where I read, heard or saw that the sae might be somewhat territorial, but what I read everywhere this afternoon all points to them being very peaceful, actually. Just updating my comment to prevent misunderstandings.

I think can sometimes get territorial with similarly shaped fish. This would be more likely when space and/or shoal size is inadequate.

 

[MuddyWaters]

Aren't the siamese algae eaters also somewhat territorial? The lone otto might be getting it from multiple fronts

Edit.
I don't recall where I read, heard or saw that the sae might be somewhat territorial, but what I read everywhere this afternoon all points to them being very peaceful, actually. Just updating my comment to prevent misunderstandings.

People mistake chinese algae eaters for them when small. They can also be mislabeled at a store- happened to me. A month later, I had a growing terrorist in my tank.

 

[GaryE]

Sometimes female Bettas are male. My local store used to find it infuriating when multiple suppliers would send them female Betta bags in which a fair percentage were short finned males. They couldn't tell at a glance but the fish knew. They had customers angry and heavy losses in the sales tanks - from more than one supplier.