Help with Sick Betta

[hansgruber7]

I suspect my Betta is suffering from fin rot and maybe a swim bladder problem? He often rests like in the picture. Sorry for the poor quality pictures. Any recommendations? Should I just do a daily 75 percent water change with gravel vac and aquarium salt for a few weeks? Anything else?

I have a filtered, heated 5G, so I'm not sure what could be his problem.

 

[JuiceBox52]

What are the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?
How often do you do water changes and how much water do you change each time?

 

[Circus]

Have you had him very long, and did you fully cycle the tank before putting him in?

 

[hansgruber7]

What are the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?
How often do you do water changes and how much water do you change each time?

Ammonia is closer to 0.25 than to 0. Though today water change day which I do every week for about 30% change. I assume it creeps up over the course of the week. Is that a problem? What could be causing it?

Nitrite is 0 and Nitrate is abour 10ppm.

 

[hansgruber7]

Have you had him very long, and did you fully cycle the tank before putting him in?

Yes, I've had him for about six months and fully cycled the tank. I've moved him between two different tanks over the last six months, though always completely cycled tanks.

 

[hansgruber7]

Here's a picture of the full tank if it helps. Thanks for being willing to help me trouble-shoot. I've tried to do lots of research but I'm relatively new at this.

 

[FishFinatic77]

I would do a 50% water change and add some aquarium salt.

 

[Lily781]

Hello, I actually have a similar problem and am quite new too. I have my Betta with Harlequins, Neons and Corys. I bought the API Fin Rot medication and aquarium salt. Should I try the medication or the aquarium salt? And if so can I add it to the communicty tank? I do not have a hospital tank To quarantine him.

 

[hansgruber7]

I would do a 50% water change and add some aquarium salt.

Will do. Thanks! Just once? Or repeatedly?

 

[Circus]

I would do daily water changes if you have any ammonia registering at all and add the aquarium salt each time.

 

[hansgruber7]

I would do daily water changes if you have any ammonia registering at all and add the aquarium salt each time.

Thanks! Do you think I need to troubleshoot why I have any ammonia registering? Or just do daily water changes until it's gone?

 

[EllRog]

Thanks! Do you think I need to troubleshoot why I have any ammonia registering? Or just do daily water changes until it's gone?

What do you feed your fish, how often and how much? I'd probably reduce feeding to once every other day the whole time you have ammonia readings, just while you stabilize the tank

 

[hansgruber7]

What do you feed your fish, how often and how much? I'd probably reduce feeding to once every other day the whole time you have ammonia readings, just while you stabilize the tank

Thanks. I feed bloodworms, and the last few days I've been putting in a few fruit flies (I also have dart frogs). He seems to love the fruit flies. If I switched to only fruit flies, I assume that could help with reducing ammonia, right? I'm not sure if that would have adverse effects on the betta.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

@PheonixKingZ - your sign off says to tag you for any problems with bettas.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Your betta seems to have fin rot, and possibly a swim bladder disorder. (As you said..)

Fin rot is caused by poor water quality. I would preform 50% water changes every day for a week, or until things get better.

Are you bloodworms you feed him freeze dried or fresh? (I have never heard of feeding bettas fruit flies - look into a quality food such as Bug bites, New Life Spectrum, or Omega One) For now, you can try to feed him a cut-up pea. This will help with the bloating. My best guess is that you are feeding to much, or, the blood worms aren't fresh.