Tail Rot?

[Prizm]

Two of my bettas have tail rot, in spite of meticulously cleaning their tanks

 

[fishmom]

Two weeks after getting Apollo he got it. I looked at him in the morning and he was fine and 12 hours later his tail was in ribbons. I immediately got on the internet and found this forum--I love this site! I got a lot of useful advice from: Bettamomma, Kiarra, and Mlee0332! So far my fish is still alive and I am wondering how long I have to treat him with the melafix. They also recommended salt(aquarium kind). I am sooo grateful to everyone who has helped me with Apollo. I just wish I knew what caused it too. He was only in his tank about a week and a half to two weeks so his tank was not extremely dirty. I wonder if he had something when I got him from Walmart.

 

[mm_simb]

Some bettas are just really prone to diseases. And some get it because of dirty water.

 

[Prizm]

Awe fish mom, I hope yours get better! The exact same thing happened to one of my fish last night--his tail was ripped to ribbons, and I don't think it was self inflicted The other two's tails are strangely clumping together at the tops ---Any ideas if it's linked w/ bacteria? I have something called bettafix, with an antibacterial agent from a kind of tea leaf (I can't remember how it is spelled, "Malaleuca?" but the same ingredient is in Melafix).

 

[Synirr]

Fin rot is caused by bacteria which are ever-present in the water. Clean water helps prevent it, but some fish just have weaker immune systems than others and are prone to getting it... I've noticed that fish become more susceptible to it as they age as well.

 

[Prizm]

My new guy was perfectly healthy, and living in a full tank in the petstore I purchased him from. Overnight, his fins were tattered Do you think there's something in the water?

 

[cynqueen]

Well I'm certainly no expert, but I think an amonia spike in the water can also cause fin damage

 

[Saucy]

Just try adding some aquarium salt and heat... how big of a tank do you have him in? If it's too small, it may be that you just need to clean more.. I know, annoying.

You could also try giving him a JFE (Jungle Fungus Clear) tab treatment. There may be something that he brought home from the pet store that is attacking him now.

 

[Prizm]

Well I'm certainly no expert, but I think an amonia spike in the water can also cause fin damage

Thanks, but the water was brand new (The amonia accumulates in dirty water from the fish's waste, right?)

 

[Prizm]

Just try adding some aquarium salt and heat... how big of a tank do you have him in? If it's too small, it may be that you just need to clean more.. I know, annoying.

You could also try giving him a JFE (Jungle Fungus Clear) tab treatment. There may be something that he brought home from the pet store that is attacking him now.

His bowl holds 2 1/2 gallons, and the water is new so I'm sure it isn't dirty yet---The bowl is brand new and fresh from the manufacturer though. Have you ever heard of toxins leaking from the plastic of a fish bowl? I suspect he could be mostly stressed, if stress can cause fin rot, and I've let him be with a towel covering the bowl for security.