Salt Bath Formula?

[veen]

well my bettas jumped their divider so now their poor fins are torn to shreds can someone please give me the salt bath formula again? i can't remember it & don't want to overdose them on salt. i have aquarium salt for my saltwater tanks, so if someone can give me the formula using aquarium salt it would be much appreciated.

tia.

 

[wuvmybetta]

I would use less than half a teaspoon per gallon. Keep their water extra clean and they should heal quickly.

 

[veen]

I would use half a teaspoon per gallon. Keep their water extra clean and they should heal quickly.

how long should i leave them in the bath? not more than 10 or 15 minutes, right?

 

[sukie]

Usually you use the salt bath to decrease swelling. . . are the bettas swollen??

 

[WILDER]

Usually you gradually work up to half an hour, so say the first one ten minutes, but never leave the fish while in the bath, if is starts rolling or acting weird remove the fish straight away.

 

[wuvmybetta]

I thought your plan was to just add a bit of salt to their water as they heal, I didn't even notice you mentioning a bath. Personally I think salt baths can be stressful and in the case of ripped fins, unnecessary. How damaged are they?
Gotta pic?

 

[veen]

I thought your plan was to just add a bit of salt to their water as they heal, I didn't even notice you mentioning a bath. Personally I think salt baths can be stressful and in the case of ripped fins, unnecessary. How damaged are they?
Gotta pic?

they are very torn up, especially the crowntail. the veiltail fared a little better.

i got the salt bath idea from this forum actually. quite awhile ago, i think in 2004. they advised me to salt bathe them (2 different bettas) after their fight to help heal their fins. is this not a good idea?

here's a pic of the crowntail:

here's what the crowntail used to look like:

and here's the veiltail:

here's what the veiltail used to look like:

 

[wuvmybetta]

Gah!
That first one looks really awful. What sort of meds do you have on hand? Any methylene blue?

personally I think salt and daily water changes will suffice. Keep them clean, seperate them into different tanks if possible. I've never given a salt bath before,but if you feel confident by all means, don't let me stop you!

eta, On second thought, maybe if you gave them a salt dip? But don't leave them in too long.

 

[sukie]

My suggestions is isolate & treat. . . cause the bettas could get infections fr this.

 

[veen]

well i do plan on getting rid of 1 of the bettas (the veiltail) by giving him to a lfs. but it will have to wait until his fins have healed more because i know they won't take him looking like that - they'd never be able to resell him in that condition. i cannot isolate because i have no more tanks or space for another tank (i have 4 reef tanks & 3 other fw tanks).

so if i salt dip them, what's the formula for that?

i don't have meds in the tank, other than melafix, which is to be in the tank 7 days straight according to the bottle. i wasn't aware they needed any other type of meds for torn fins.

thanks everyone for your help!