My First Visit Of...

[fuman_chica]

Okay, I got this girl on May 12th. Just 19 days ago. This is what she looked like after having her for a day or two.

She was dull in color, but other than that, she was beautiful.

So yesterday when I went to feed the bettas I always check them to see if they have any visible problems. Her bottom fin was half missing. It was just gone. She was fine the day before when I did her water change. Her fins were all full and normal looking. But yesterday they were partially gone. So I did another water change on her (she's in here own tank. has been since I got her.) I added some stress stuff and a pinch of aquarium salt.

We went all over (we walked to three or four places) to find some BettaFix. And we couldn't find it at any of the places in my city. So I just had to leave her yesterday.

Then today when I went to feed them, it was worse. I took pictures today to show what it looked like.
This is her left side (not the worst side):

And her right side (horrible...open wounds now. )

She has what looks like blood on her belly. I went out to the next town over and looked in four more places and finally found some BettaFix. So I did a water change and put that in with her today.

So what I want to know, is there anything else I should do? I didn't put any stress coat or salt in with this water change. Should I do 100% water changes everyday adding the BettaFix? Or does it need to be that often? Can I still feed her normally? I have been so far. She is eating like normal. She's swimming around normal. She doesn't act like she is in pain. But I want to do what is best for her and what is going to get her better the fastest.

 

[JoLtNbolt]

Any idea what caused the damage? Could she have bitten her own fin?

 

[fuman_chica]

I figured it was fin rot. You don't think that's what it is? I don't see how she could have gotten down there to bite it herself. And she had some white fuzz on her about a week or two ago. But it went away in a day or two with 100% water changes everyday. So, do you guys not think it's fin rot??

She's in a one gallon tank by herself. I got her from Walmart and her cup was pretty nasty there. I've been doing at least one 100% water change a week, and usually do it twice a week. I do it when there is more than two poo's on the ground.

 

[kimmers318]

Why did you not use stress coat with the last water change? Are you SURE there aren't any chemicals in the water (chlorine/chloramine) that will aggravate the problem you are already dealing with? I use stress coat with ALL water changes to neutralize chlorine/chloramine and have success several times with nipped fins/ick/damage to fins from other illness. Granted we haven't had alot of illness around here, but the stress coat has helped the fish heal in my opinion. With my nipped fin issue from a dwarfpuffer my worst victim received a squirt directly on her and was looking better in 24 hours. Have only had ICK once at home, and purchased 1 clown loach with small ICK amount, neither time did I use meds.....heat, water changes, and stress coat. I could be just extremely lucky here, but stress coat is a staple at my house, and I would definitely recommend using it to help the betta regrow fins while you are treating for any other issues.

 

[fuman_chica]

Well, I use declorinater at EVERY water change. I had only put the stress coat in before because I had nothing else to treat the fin-rot (if that's what it is). I didn't know if I was suppose to mix the BettaFix and the Stress Coat, and since the BettaFix is the stuff that is made specially for fin-rot and reparing betta fins, I used that. And plus I searched for it in 8 different stores over a two day period. If I was only going to use one thing in the tank (since I didn't know if they could mix) it was going to be the BettaFix.



But I still don't know, should I do 100% water changes everyday? Can I feed her normally? I saw somewhere that I wasn't suppose to feed her, but I'm thinking it was on the back of a medication I picked up and read the label. I want to be sure I can feed her.

and so, it's okay to put Stress Coat in with the BettaFix (in addition to the declorinater I already use)?

 

[TammyLiz]

If she wants to eat, do feed her.

I don't think they can bite their own anal fin. Males sometimes shred their tails but anal fin? Never heard of that one.

This is very bad, seeing as it has progressed into her skin. Bettafix is not going to be enough, I'm afraid. Considering it has been progressing quickly, you need to act fast, and get some stronger anti-bacterial med. Do you have any Quick Cure, which is normally used for ich? It would be a good thing to try, in case it is water mold. Here is an article on it:
http/www.fishyfarmacy.com/articles/water..._infection.html

I've never seen it in person but it is affecting the skin in your fish and progressing rapidly so I'd think it is possible. Someone let me know if I'm off track here.

 

[starrynightxxi]

fin rot and body rot are the same thing, i believe, just diferent levels of progression. this is a particularly nasty case if its moving this fast and you need to treat it immediately. I don't think a medicine that treats ich specifically is going to help you any, you need one that treats rot.

betta talk - betta diseases

 

[fuman_chica]

As I said, I bought BettaFix. I got that because it is easier to dose for small containers since it is made specifically for bettas.

I put the BettaFix in with her yesterday and she looks a little better today. The red on her right side above the open wound isn't nearly as bright. She has more of her normal color there now. And the open wound doesn't look as big now.

I just wondered if there was anything else I should do to help her get better faster.

And I NEED!!!! to know if I should be doing 100% water changes everyday with the BettaFix being added at each water change. Or if I should just leave her in the water with the BettaFix (not add any more) for a day or two then do a water change.

 

[liz2]

I would leave her alone for 2 days if she looks ok, put some water ready now then do a 100% water change with a tiny bit of meds but thats just me...I tend not to use meds a lot just salt but bless her wait until one of breeders answer or pm somebody. Hope she makes it.

 

[fuman_chica]

I guess don't you guys worry about it. I'll just do what I think is best. And if she dies...there is nothing I can do about it.

I guess the only way you can get replies that actally partain to what you posted about in the first place is if you are posting pictures of some beautiful new boy you got from over seas. The important things don't matter.

Edit:
But thank you for those of you who did actually stick to what I was talking about. I'll leave her for a day or two and see if she gets better. I'm just aiming in the dark right now. I don't know what I'm doing. I hope she doesn't die because of it.

 

[starrynightxxi]

erm, if that was directed at me at all, i just want to say that i thought i did stick to the topic as you asked if there was anything else you should be doing, though i was also speaking in lieu of the other posters' responses. that's a very advanced infection and personally i would be concerned about the effectiveness of bettafix as it is only watered down melafix, and i wouldn't trust that melafix could make a quick job of body rot.

i agree with the 100% every two days (or possibly 50% every day) mostly because you want to keep her as stress free as possible, but you must keep her environment clean of as much organic matter as you can.

and yes feed her as long as she's willing. not feeding her will only make her weaker and less able to fight off the infection.

i won't comment on the salt because i've heard that it works wonders as well as hearing that it does nothing. my fish aren't in salt right now and get sick as infrequently and heal (when they do get sick) just as quickly without it.

 

[TammyLiz]

I guess don't you guys worry about it. I'll just do what I think is best. And if she dies...there is nothing I can do about it.

I guess the only way you can get replies that actally partain to what you posted about in the first place is if you are posting pictures of some beautiful new boy you got from over seas. The important things don't matter.

Edit:
But thank you for those of you who did actually stick to what I was talking about. I'll leave her for a day or two and see if she gets better. I'm just aiming in the dark right now. I don't know what I'm doing. I hope she doesn't die because of it.

You got several comments, why write us all off as if our information was useless? If it was some pretty boy from overseas, honestly, I wouldn't have bothered posting. Of course you should do what you think is best--was just trying to supply you with some information that might pertain. I don't think I saw any posts that didn't pertain, each person was trying to help you figure out why it happened or how to fix it. One person misunderstood something you said but that's really not a big deal.

EDIT: Of course do as many water changes as you'd like. Good water quality always helps with rotting-type issues. Like keeping a wound clean.