finrot?? **added pics**

[gale]

My betta's tail was perfect when I went to bed but now is all frayed and shorter than normal. He's alone in his tank so it has to be finrot OR the filter intake. All I have is salt and there's an ice storm going on right now (4-8 inches) so I won't be able to go to town. I was going to buy some melafix last week but then read in the chit chat forum (I think) that a lot of people didn't think it really works and one person said it burned her fish. So I didn't get it. Plus walmart only had the huge bottle. Will just the salt help? If so how much? I'll also do a 50% water change. Should I shut off his filter? His tank is cycled so I was hoping to not have to do that.

 

[gale]

Here are before and after pics. Ignore the white thing on the after pic-it's just reflection from the flash. Also he's swimming around like normal.
before (without flash so the color looks different, but it's the same fish)

after:

 

[gale]

Wanted to add that I do have one of those little half carbon/half floss filters that suction to the side of the tank if that would be a better one to use. I like this one because of the bio wheel but if it's the cause then it should probably be taken out. I can't find sponge filters around here.

 

[sylvia]

Can you rap something around the filter intake so the bettas fins don't get trapped? I think that's probably what did it. It could be fin rot in which case you'll want some anti-bacterial meds soon. Clean water is what you realy need though.

 

[AlexsDaddy]

Fin rot wouldn't have done that much damage over night. One of the tell tale signs of fin rot is discoloration (black or dark edging) at the edge of the fins and I don't see any of that in the pics. It is more than likely the filter intake, or he is a tale biter. Add salt with your water changes, and make sure to keep the water extra clean to help prevent fin rot during healing. Some Betta Max or stress coat will help along in the healing process if you have any. Pretty boy by the way.
Mela fix is a very strong medication, and those of us here who do use it only use half the dosage. Some say it is not good for bettas though.
One thing you could do is go out and buy a brand new pair of panty hose, rince it really well in hot water, and cut a piece big enough to go around your filter intake. Secure it with a rubber band. That will keep him from getting his tail caught in there but you will have to change it every couple weeks once it get's all gunked up with all the stuff that would normally get caught in the filter meidia. GL! HTH!

 

[gale]

I think I might try putting the foot of a nylon around it with some fishing line. I'll do a big water change too (I have to wait until my husband gets home or else the kids will be in my way). He's acting perfectly normal and flaring at everything in sight like he usually does.

 

[gale]

Fin rot wouldn't have done that much damage over night. One of the tell tale signs of fin rot is discoloration (black or dark edging) at the edge of the fins and I don't see any of that in the pics. It is more than likely the filter intake, or he is a tale biter. Add salt with your water changes, and make sure to keep the water extra clean to help prevent fin rot during healing. Some Betta Max or stress coat will help along in the healing process if you have any. Pretty boy by the way.
Mela fix is a very strong medication, and those of us here who do use it only use half the dosage. Some say it is not good for bettas though.
I like to use 3 or 4 drops of pima fix and 2 tsp aquarium salt/gallon for fin rot, then some betta max or stress coat to help it heal after the rot is gone. I use the duetto 50 submersible filter by marineland in my smaller betta tanks. They are adjustable flow, and the output can rotate a full 360 degrees so you can turn it right into the glass if you want. One thing you could do is go out and buy a brand new pair of panty hose, rince it really well in hot water, and cut a piece big enough to go around your filter intake. Secure it with a rubber band. That will keep him from getting his tail caught in there but you might have to change it every couple weeks once it get's all gunked up with all the stuff that would normally get caught in the filter meidia. GL! HTH!

I was posting at the same time you were. lol. I do have stresscoat so I'll put some extra of that in there plus some aquarium salt. I will use a rubber band instead of fishing line so it'll be easier to change the nylon. I can't believe it. My boy already has his own blanket, and now his own stocking.

btw I have never seen him go after his tail so I'm betting it's the filter. He used to lay up against it a lot until I put a plant there to keep him from doing that, but he can still get up to it on one side.

 

[gale]

Well I just looked over and saw him lay up against the intake so I'm almost positive that is the problem. Darnit I give him 2 whole gallons (vs the 8 ounces in the store) and he won't stay away from that corner.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Aah.. poor baby hope he gets better soon

 

[AlexsDaddy]

Well I just looked over and saw him lay up against the intake so I'm almost positive that is the problem. Darnit I give him 2 whole gallons (vs the 8 ounces in the store) and he won't stay away from that corner.

My CT used to spend a lot of time on the intake too, and he's got a whole 5 gallons with 3 or 4 plants in front of the filter! Weird fish I guess.

 

[yeeviabetta]

Wou. You need to get some foam filter to wrap around the suction inlet. That is my thought. I will trim the tail so he will growth back pretty again. I use a small hair cutting sharp scissor. Don't cut the tail.

 

[ral]

I did some fin trimming on my VT too when instead of finrot the blood seemed to be clotting at the ends of the fins. Growing back fine. Just sterilize your materials well. I did it by folding a soft damp cloth on my betta to keep him from moving.

The way the "tearing" appears makes me think finrot. I am a newbie though so...

 

[gale]

I did a 75% wc tonight and put the stocking on the filter. It looks funny. I put in about 2 tsp of salt-it's a 2 gallon tank. Should I add more salt? I'm going to do a 50% wc every day for a while until he gets better. 2 tsp per gallon isn't too much? I was going to put that much in but the salt carton says 1 tbs per 5 gallon which is only about 1 tsp per 1.7 gallon. I didn't want to oversalt him.

 

[clover]

it looks like what one of my doubletails done and he is in a tank with no filter, i think he chewed his tail or some thing but he is all better now.

 

[lolly]

Gale
Just to say that this looks the same as my betta.
Who is now by himself in a 5 gal tank.
I was advised to take him out in case he did have finrot.
I am treating with Melafix (@ half dose), no idea if it is working or not!
I will try doing more water changes as well!
Keep your spirits up & I will keep you posted on Crawfords (his name) situ!