Ahh! They All Have Fin Rot!

[Mugen]

x.x Ok so.. here's the story. I went home for three wekks over Christmas break and left a friend who I trusted to live in my room so that he could keep his job. In return, I asked him to feed my fish. Well.. when all was said and done, there were complications and now I have six over-fed, lethargic, fin-rotted bettas. A couple of them barely have any fins at all and definitely don't look good. I gave simple and explicit instructions taped to the tanks and truly trusted in this friend.. still.. I can't help but feel it's all my fault.. I really don't want my little guys to die..

I need some help. So far, I've taken out all of the ornamental stuff.. all the gravel, plants.. everything. Totally washed every tank and added conditioner, a little bit of salt, and the reccommended dose of bettamax. I left the gravel and plants out because I decided it would be easier to clean while my fish heal. All of the fish have about 1.25 gallons. I have two 2.5 gallon tanks. One is split, the other has just one fish in it.. then I have three kritter keepers that are a little over a gallon, each with one fish per keeper. I was in the process of buying more 2.5's for them before I left on break.

Please help. I am sort of freaking out and would like to know if I am taking the right procedures..

 

[matty101]

how many are we dealing with? Upgrade your meds to melafix. Use half the dosage and use 1teaspoon of aquarium salt per 5gallons. For the 1g's, just use a pinch or a little bit of salt. Keep the bottom of the tanks empty so you can clean waste easily. Try to keep filtration good but low currents to reduce stress. Make 1-2week water changes (50-100%) depending on the size of the tank. Hope everything goes well and you get everyone all healed up

 

[Glod]

Sorry to hear about your Bettas.

I'd suggest adding some salt (cooking salt or aquarium salt is fine but not table salt. Make sure it does not contain any additives or caking agents.) about 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons (bit less than a teaspoon per gallon). Water changes are essential to make sure the water is crystal and clean, but sounds like you're already on top of that.

If the finrot is quite advanced go with an anti bacterial treatment such as Maracyn or Myxazin. If it's very minor you could get away with melafix/primafix but in my opinion better safe than sorry. Why do you think they developed the rot ? Lack of water changes ?

Also be sure to remove activated carbon from the filter while treating with any medication. With a lot of TLC your fish should recover and be fine.

Good luck with the treatment.

 

[jollysue]

Matty: BettaFix and MelaFix are the same medication, just different strengths, I believe, although I am a bit confused about the PimaFix.

I agree with Glod, go to antibiotics. If you use a Mardel product (Maracyn), I don't believe it is necessary to remove the carbon filters, although I doubt there are filters in the KritterKeepers. You can double check the instructions.

 

[Glod]

Carbon absorbs toxins and unwanted substances from the water. Removing the carbon stops the effectiveness of the med being reduced. Always best to remove the carbon. Adding the carbon after treatment removes leftover meds from the water, so it always a good idea.

If there are no filters then it's a moot point indeed Still always better to mention it.

 

[jollysue]

Mardel products are specifically produced to not require the removal of the carbon. Don't know why. They just are made that way. For all other meds I have seen you are indeed correct about removing the carbon.

BTW, just reading over the post from Wilder. The med recommended is Maracyn II not Maracyn. Maracyn II is the Negative rod med and Maracyn is the positive. So they may be used together to achieve a broad based spectrum. Mardel products are very complex.

And actually Jungal Fungus Eliminator and Tetracycline are the first recommendation. Kanacyn is also a secondary recommendation. It is now my intent to get some Jungal Fungal Eliminator.

 

[Glod]

oops, yep, Maracyn II is the one you want, sorry.

 

[Mugen]

Thanks so much for your help. All of the tanks are carbon free and I am off today so I can go buy some MaracynII. Sometihng that really worries me is that two of them (brothers actually) are really timid.. and since getting sick they've refused to eat. I was thinking of maybe setting them a little way away from the commotion in my room.

 

[Glod]

Going off their food may be because they're feeling poorly. If it's only for a couple of days I wouldn't worry too much, when they are feeling better they should start eating again

If you think being in a quieter area will help, by all means try it. Won't do any harm, just keep an eye on them for signs of depression.

 

[matty101]

hope everything works out ok