Pieces Of Fin

[PhishyPhriend]

Hey guys, as you may or may not remember, my fish was having some trouble with his fins thinning out/going clear. It seemed to have stopped, and I really don't see much of a difference (at least not a major one) however, when I cleaned out his tank... there were what looked like chunks of fin floating in the water. The Betta's happy, he had a really big bubble nest going before I cleaned out. Right now he's in his tiny little petsmart cup before I decide if I need to put him in my one gallon hospital tank.

What's happening to my poor fish? Do I need to put him in his hospital tank?

These are the tanks stats:
pH of about 7
Nitrite= 0
NitrAte= 0
Ammonia= less than .2 ppm

His tank has a small amount of aquarium salt as well.

Temp of about 78.
His usual tank is a 2 gallon with a mini hydor heater (I'm getting an adjustable one this weekend) and a whisper 3i filter.

Medication wise I have:
BettaFix AND Melafix
Pimafix

 

[bronzecat]

Has he got any pieces missing from his fins? New pics would also assist too

 

[PhishyPhriend]

I hadn't really noticed chunks missing from his tail. I returned from a weekend away last night and thought his fins seemed a bit funky, but I didn't realize why. The bits in the water were definitely bits of his fins, and some of them were pretty big!


ETA: I'm in the process of uploading to Photobucket, so there will be more

 

[PhishyPhriend]

More Pictures.

I took a bunch more if you feel you need them, I chose which ones I thought came out best.

 

[bronzecat]

Ok. When you are away, what size tank is he in? Does anyone else provide any care while you are not there? What temp is the tank and is it filtered?

 

[PhishyPhriend]

When I am away, he is in his usual tank, 2 gallons, it's around 78, and yes, it is filtered. My roommate cares for him, she is a fully functional betta sitter.

 

[love4aquatic]

When I am away, he is in his usual tank, 2 gallons, it's around 78, and yes, it is filtered. My roommate cares for him, she is a fully functional betta sitter.

could he possibly be a tail biter?

i know that some fish, when their tail is growing back it is white then slowly gains the color.

 

[PhishyPhriend]

When I am away, he is in his usual tank, 2 gallons, it's around 78, and yes, it is filtered. My roommate cares for him, she is a fully functional betta sitter.

could he possibly be a tail biter?

i know that some fish, when their tail is growing back it is white then slowly gains the color.

No, I watch him alot, and I check on him alot. I have never seen any evidence of tail biting.

 

[love4aquatic]

When I am away, he is in his usual tank, 2 gallons, it's around 78, and yes, it is filtered. My roommate cares for him, she is a fully functional betta sitter.

could he possibly be a tail biter?

i know that some fish, when their tail is growing back it is white then slowly gains the color.

No, I watch him alot, and I check on him alot. I have never seen any evidence of tail biting.

it usualy dosent happen when you are watchin, it happens when stressed or bored, so at night or while you are out or not looking, mabey while you were gone he missed you and bit his tail up? my cockatiel does that.

 

[bronzecat]

LOL Betta sitter

It looks like you're going to need to treat him with something. I would use Myxacin but it does require dosing everyday for the course of the treatment. Also Aquarium salt can help treatments at a ratio of 1 tablespoon per 19L, so half a tablespoon for your tank if my maths are right. Dissolve it in some dechlorinated water before adding. If you can turn the heat up slightly to 80 that should help to.

 

[PhishyPhriend]

I'm going to transfer him to my 1 gallon hospital tank which is set up in my bedroom. It's unfiltered, because I think the filter in his usual tank tugs on his fins a little bit until I stick something in the bottom to minimize the suction. I don't have any Maracyn right now, I do have Melafix which I will dilute and treat him with, and I'll see if I can pick up some Maracyn tomorrow. I'll probably keep him in the hospital tank for about a week. The heater I have isn't adjustable, it just raises the temp a couple degrees, so if I move it into the hospital tank in my bedroom it should raise it to about 80.

Does all that sound about right?

and yes, I make sure everyone who will ever be responsible for any pet of mine is fully qualified and functional. I'm going to be gone for 2 weeks this summer, going to England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales and I'm having my mom's petsitter come by for training at least twice before I go.

 

[bronzecat]

Hi

Yep, if the filter is not suitable that wont help

Bear in mind that in an unfiltered 1 gallon its more difficult to treat and will require water changes daily.

One thing, why move him?

 

[PhishyPhriend]

Hi

Yep, if the filter is not suitable that wont help

Bear in mind that in an unfiltered 1 gallon its more difficult to treat and will require water changes daily.

One thing, why move him?

My bedroom is a warmer place than the kitchen where his 2 gallon is, so it'll be easier to keep him warmer until I get a better/adjustable heater, and I don't have room on my bookshelf for his 2 gallon tank.

My roommate and I will be going to a petstore tomorrow to get bedding and food for our guinea pigs. I'm going to look for a better heater, and a cap for his filter. If I find all that tomorrow I'll move him back to the kitchen.

 

[bronzecat]

Ah, i see now

As its a small tank (2 gallons) why dont you use a sponge filter? You can restrict it with an air line clamp. you can pick them up few a few pounds and a cheap air pump doesn't cost much. Then wrap some of the media from your present filter around the sponge to help seed the new sponge

 

[PhishyPhriend]

Ah, i see now

As its a small tank (2 gallons) why dont you use a sponge filter? You can restrict it with an air line clamp. you can pick them up few a few pounds and a cheap air pump doesn't cost much. Then wrap some of the media from your present filter around the sponge to help seed the new sponge

AHA! Now, why didn't I think of that... My filter runs off an airline, so I used a regular old office clip and it restricted the suction by just the right amount. Now all I need is a better heater!

Thanks so much!