Fin rot worse after water change

[Caleb83837]

I noticed some very slight fin rot on my betta, so I began dosing melafix, and in the next couple weeks did 4 15-20% water changes. The fin rot did not seem to get any better or any worse, so I decided to do a larger water change, around 35%. The next day it was definitely worse. Any ideas why this would be, and has anyone had this happen before?
My tank is 7 Gallons, filtered, heated, heavily planted, and contains just the betta and 2 nerites.
Ph: 7.2 ish
Ammonia:0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 10 ish ppm

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

I shouldn't think the water change made any difference, replacing old water with fresh water is one of the best ways to treat fin rot, since it's often caused by poor water conditions.

@Deanasue Is Melafix one of the meds that are not recommended for bettas? I can never remember which ones cause a problem with the labyrinth organ.

@Colin_T can likely help more with what may be going on with your betta

 

[FishGuest5123]

Yes. Don’t use Melafix or betta fix as the aloe oil can coat their labyrinth organ and suffocate them.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Yes. Don’t use Melafix or betta fix as the aloe oil can coat their labyrinth organ and suffocate them.

Is it the same for pimafix?

 

[FishGuest5123]

Is it the same for pimafix?

Pimafix actually has Clove oil. I wouldn’t use It.

 

[Essjay]

All the -fix medications contain aromatic oils. According to API's website and safety data sheets:

Melafix contains cajeput oil
Pimafix contains bay oil
Bettafix contains melaleuca (a variety of tea tree oil)
Bettafix data sheet just says 'proprietary ingredients' but the web page warns it beta-Myrcene which California says is carcinogenic

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

All the -fix medications contain aromatic oils. According to API's safety data sheets:

Melafix contains cajeput oil
Pimafix contains bay oil
Bettafix data sheet just says 'proprietary ingredients' but the web page warns it beta-Myrcene which California says is carcinogenic

Ah, thank you! That will make it easier to remember when people are talking about meds for bettas.

 

[hansgruber7]

I assume you are controlling for temperature and dechlorinating for water changes? Try to make the water change involve as little stress as possible for the betta. (low flow in adding new water.) Sometimes fin rot can be exacerbated by stress, and water changes can be stressful. Not sure what else could be the problem. Seems like your water quality is good.

 

[Caleb83837]

I shouldn't think the water change made any difference, replacing old water with fresh water is one of the best ways to treat fin rot, since it's often caused by poor water conditions.

@Deanasue Is Melafix one of the meds that are not recommended for bettas? I can never remember which ones cause a problem with the labyrinth organ.

@Colin_T can likely help more with what may be going on with your betta

thanks for the notice about melafix! I had never heard about it before.

I assume you are controlling for temperature and dechlorinating for water changes? Try to make the water change involve as little stress as possible for the betta. (low flow in adding new water.) Sometimes fin rot can be exacerbated by stress, and water changes can be stressful. Not sure what else could be the problem. Seems like your water quality is good.

yes, my temperature is right around 78 and I treat my water for 24 hours before adding it. I slowly pour the water overtop a saucer type things so there isn't much disturbance. I'm pretty stumped as to what the problem could be as its super weird how it has progressed. Oh wells. I'll see if I can find some more suitable meds. I'm sure he'll get better. Thanks for the help

 

[hansgruber7]

Sometimes bettas just develop fin rot despite our best efforts. Especially if they have long flowy fins, they are more susceptible to it. Good luck!

 

[Essjay]

Bettafix data sheet just says 'proprietary ingredients' but the web page warns it beta-Myrcene which California says is carcinogenic

I have just realised that API's website does say that bettafix contains

Melaleuca – a variety of Tea Tree oil

I've edited my post to say that.


But google also says that cajeput oil is from the cajeput tree which is a species of melaleuca.
I know that it is always said that bettafix is the same as melafix, just more dilute to make it easier to dose in small tanks.