sick betta

[reddeerhobbiest]

my poor little guy is stressed and sick. he has clamped fins and the ends are turning black and are curling over. it cant be water quality as i do faithful water changes. i used to do it every 5 days, but now that hes sick im doing it everyday. also adding salt and bettamax. how long should i do this for, or should i just cut the black ends off? if cutting his fins will cure him faster and keep him alive ill do it. its very depressing for us to see him this way. should i cut?

 

[BettaMomma]

I would NOT cut at this point - unless the black is creeping way up by his body.
Are you medicating at all or just going with salt and bettamax, along with water changes?

I would try some meds that are a bit stronger.
One of the mods here, wuvmybetta, suggests getting some colloidal silver and it cures just about anything. I am definitely going to pick some of that up. YOu could try that, or you could try something along the lines of Maracyn.

Most times, clean water, salt and bettamax will do the trick. But I, personally, would not cut until it becomes a real, irreversible problem, and you've tried some meds that are a bit stronger.

Oh - what size is your tank and how warm is it?
He might just not be happy with his home.

And, giving him that many water changes could also be stressing him out.
Post back on your tank specs and we'll get back with you.

 

[GuppyDude]

betta momma is right, unless the blackness is developeing towards his body, u dont want to risk infection and even more stress. you doing a great job, but bettamax just isn't strong enogh. do some research and try to pinpoint what exactly is botheirng him and then find a med for it. if its something as minor as fungus it should be easy to treat. for now keep him on salt and fresh water, u can continues bettamax if u think it'll make a differance but if nothing is happening with it, it'll be alright to discontinue that. also i recommend some stress med, stress weakens a fish's ability to fight off infections and can cause him not to eat. and thats another thing, make sure he is eating plenty of good foods, somthing natural and with little or no ash content (filler) blood worms, brine shrimp, black worms, even properly prepared earth worms would be great.