Crawford has tail problems.

[lolly]

Some of the smaller fish were struggling with current anyway!
Even on low it seems to provide good flow.

Crawford is now in own tank with expensive Melafix added. I have noted on forum that bettas might need a lower concentration of stuff so i will halve the recomended dose? (i.e. from 2.5ml to under 1.5ml)

New question: I have a filter that also oxygenates but the cartridges come swith carbon bits in. As far as I understand this will extract the Melafix, so should i take is out and just do weekly water change?

P.S. He is alone in a 5 galon tank.

And finally How long do you think I needto keep him in isolation??

 

[ral]

I don't have any experiance on Malefix, so I will pass on that issue.

As for the isolation I would keep him there until his fins are completely healed. My VT Max, was doing pretty well. His Caudal (?) (tail?) fin was complete, but just opague. Than I decided to clean his tank. Even moving him with a cup (I used to use the sink and suction the betta in method I read somewhere) destroyed a good part of the growth.

 

[wuvmybetta]

He might prefer the isolation so you may not ever want to move him back. As for melafix, I would do a quarter dose instead of a half. It really is quite strong.

I'm going to agree with the filter theory,even though my first impression was nerves and tail biting because you were away. Not trying to lay guilt on ya Just saying that bettas are weird like that. But frayed ends sounds like the filter to me too. I hope he gets well soon

 

[_groove_]

I'd keep monitoring the fish very carefully. I had a case of finrot in late November where the tail fin was slowly dissolving from the edge. It looked stringy, but there was no discolouration. The afflicted fishy is the one in my avatar, his tail is crimson red.

I just dont want you to automatically rule out a case of mild rot just because of the absence of a black or red discolouration. In my experience, watching him closely over a day or 2 to see if theres changes will help diagnose what you're dealing with Meantime, what you've done so far sounds great!

 

[AlexsDaddy]

Are all the fish in your signature in 1 tank? If so, there are a few fin nippers in there who could have done it to him. Guppies and bettas don't really get along so well, so you might be better off keeping him in the 5 gal for good if you don't want a repeat of this. Oh, and yes to removing the carbon from the filter for treatment. It does say that on the back of the bottle.

 

[lolly]

Thank you all for your help, I will probably keep pestering untill Crawfords Tail is fully back.

I know i should remove carbon it is just the type of filter is a sealed cartridge & i have not seen any replacement ones without carbon. So if i remove the filter altogether, Crawford no longer has fresh air or filtration in his tank. Advise please?


As for him liking isolation, he spends most of his time staring out the end of tank into big tank. I have never seen the female guppys nip @ anything. Do you think they could be doing it in secret??

Another posibility is him biting own tail! Have never even seen him interested in it, but anything is possible.

I think he missed me as well, or the food he gets hand fed? The rest of fish munched on holiday food stick, but i dont think Crawford had any as he is not good @ competing.

Sorry for the big essay but i just dont want him to die

 

[ral]

Thank you all for your help, I will probably keep pestering untill Crawfords Tail is fully back.

I know i should remove carbon it is just the type of filter is a sealed cartridge & i have not seen any replacement ones without carbon. So if i remove the filter altogether, Crawford no longer has fresh air or filtration in his tank. Advise please?

He really does not need air in his tank. He breaths from the surface. If you really want to give him air maybe you can just add an air stone.

Keep up the water changes though. Just be careful when you pour in the water to por it in slowly.

As for him liking isolation, he spends most of his time staring out the end of tank into big tank. I have never seen the female guppys nip @ anything. Do you think they could be doing it in secret??

Betta's like to look out of their tanks. As I tyo this I have 4 pairs of eyes staring at me

Another posibility is him biting own tail! Have never even seen him interested in it, but anything is possible.

I don't know why they do it, but I have seen Betta's who have. Think they might do it when they get relly hungry.

Sorry for the big essay but i just dont want him to die

He wont

 

[lolly]

I will be really careful with him.
So they do not die of fin rot??

Regular water cahnge should give enough air i suppose top surface area of tank is quite large!

You are a help, & i like chatting as it helps get rid of my anxiety.



Every day new water (15% or so), does that sound nice for my betta?

 

[ral]

I will be really careful with him.
So they do not die of fin rot??

Not the way you are taking care of him.

I think your partial changes are okay, will a full (or large 80-90%) water change every week or so.