Betta fish fin’s look a bit tattered

[tay10r_nich01e]

Hi! I just got a Betta fish about a month ago and have a 2-gallon tank with a filter and heater. I don’t know if I’m imagining it, but I feel like my Betta’s fins are a bit tattered. I thought it might be the plastic plants nipping them, so I just took them out and maybe that will help. Based on the photos, does any have any suggestions for what it is, or if they look normal?

 

[FishGuest5123]

That looks a bit tattered to me. How often do you do water changes? You may want to do daily ones for a couple of weeks. A betta needs a minimum of 2.5 gallons to live in but really should have at least a 5G tank. Do you check for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

 

[tay10r_nich01e]

That looks a bit tattered to me. How often do you do water changes? You may want to do daily ones for a couple of weeks. A betta needs a minimum of 2.5 gallons to live in but really should have at least a 5G tank. Do you check for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

I change the water about every 2 weeks. I can’t really get a bigger tank because I am in college and live in a dorm. I haven’t checked the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, but I can. I think it may be possible that the hard plastic grass I had in the tank was tearing his fins. I just want to make sure it’s not fin rot.

 

[FishGuest5123]

In a tank that small you should be doing 70% water changes once a week. I would do 70% water changes daily for the next 2 weeks and see if it improves. Clean water is the best cure for fin rot. Best wishes for you and your fin friend.

 

[FishFinatic77]

If the water changes don't help, you can buy some aquarium salt and follow the directions on the back to see how much you should put into his tank. I used salt when my betta had finrot and he healed really quickly. Just make sure to dissolve the salt in a little bit of tank water before putting it into the tank because it might burn his gills. Good luck!

 

[FishGuest5123]

I often use salt along with the changes. Add 1 tablespoon for 5 gallons. So for yours it would be about 1/3 tsp. You will have to replace what you take out each day. If you do 50% w/c then add 1/4 tbls. back in.