Fin/tail Rot

[BethK]

Hi All

I came down this morning to find my male betta VT's tail starting to look bad. On a closer look, he doesn't have fin rot but he has been flaring a hell of a lot and showing off, since I got my female betta (who is in a diff tank but next to his).

I haven't noticed him biting his tail and I can't see him snagging it, as it would have happened before. He is in with black neon tetras, which I haven't seen nipping at him. He also has 2 pin type holes in his upper fin.

Do you think he is tail biting? Or would it be more chunky? Or is it due to him fanning/flaring himself out a lot over the last 4 days?

What can I do to help him? I am going to put something inbetween the tanks, so he can not see the female betta.

Thanks

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

If he has holes in his fin I'd guess its fin rot. Do more regular water changes. Change 20% daily for a week or so to see if it improves. Also just as a prevention I'd put a piece of paper between the two tanks just in case it is having some effect on him.

 

[BethK]

Wouldn't fin rot turn his tail/fin a blackish color, before they appear?

I've put a barrier up between tanks and turned the main tanks light off.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I thought a sign of fin rot was pin sized holes appearing in their fins.

Either way as his fins are damaged I'd increase the water changed and "hide" the female from his view.

 

[BethK]

I've swapped tanks; he is now in a tank on his own and the female is in the community tank. There is a barrier up between both tanks.

The female is rather happy in the community tank. I hope he gets better, it lit was an over night change with his tail

 

[loraxchick]

pin holes in the fins is certainly a sign of finrot. finrot is caused by bacteria and there are a few species of bacs that may be the culprit. black edging is dependent on which type of bacteria is doing the damage (black margins can also be from ammonia burns). i would certainly have him in his own tank, keep up on waterchanges and block his view from the other fish for a while. give him a nice break from the constant flaring. i would give it two weeks or so in these conditions and see if there is improvement. in the meantime think about treatment options if his fins show no improvement.
best of luck!
cheers

 

[BethK]

#40## it

He's not got any black edging to his tail.

He's been in a tank on his own for a few hours now and is starting to already perk up. color wise.

 

[BethK]

Ohhhh I am so upset now his top fin is deteriorating pretty fast. I can see bits falling off, that weren't before! I dunno what to do

 

[BethK]

I can't get a good picture of it but I have been able to record a short vid;

 

[BethK]

As from 6pm last night, I've treated his water with an anti-fungi and fin-rot treatment.

I came down this morning and his rays and membrane seem to have stopped flaking/breaking off. Fingers crossed he gets better!

 

[BethK]

Update for today, it seems to be going well. His fin and tail have stopped flaking and it doesn't looks so 'dead'.

Sorry about the pics being blurry, was trying to get a full pic of his tail, can you see a difference though?

 

[wastegate]

Maybe try adding Melafix after fin rot treatment. I have found its great for repairing damaged fins/tails and it also seems to perk up fish after medication. Good luck

 

[BethK]

Thanks x

 

[loraxchick]

i would not recommend melafix with bettas. ive had bad results
very good sign that the dead tissue has fallen off. just keep a watch that the fins dont continue to erode. tbh, i would just keep his water clean and keep feeding high protein foods. watch him closely for a week-by that time, you should begin to see clear ends which indicate re-growth.
he seems to be in good hands. just dont panic and over-medicate.
cheers

 

[BethK]

I opt'd out of the melafix, as I am using stress coat and an anti-fin rot.

He is perking up but I think I will leave him in his own tank from now on x