Betta issues

[Abbeygeer]

hello everyone,

I'm new here, but I have read a lot of the questions and answers on here in the past.
I have a male Betta that I've had for about a month now.

Tank: roughly 25Litres (6ish gallons)
Heater: yes
Filter: yes
Food: pallets and bloodworms as a treat

Ever since I got him I have been having troubles and I have tried everything. I am aware that it is because my tank is cycling but I have been doing regular water tests and changes to reduce ammonia. Each time treating the water with Aquaplus. The pet store insures me he is fine and I have used Melafix and tonic salts to help cheer him up. He is definitely a lot happier than he was and still eats when he is feed. But his small side fins are almost fully transparent and there weren't like that when I got him, and also I noticed this morning the end of his lower fin looks ratty. He clamped his fins within the first week of me having him and has been that way since. I just want him to get back to his beautiful self.

I'm sure I need to try medicating for fin rot do you think this s the case?

Thanks,
Love from worried fish mum.

 

[SeanTrollope]

hi and welcome

what are the results of your most recent water test.

oh and also never believe anything anyone at a pet shop tells you.

 

[Abbeygeer]

I had my test done at the pet store, and she said there was still a small amount of ammonia in the water. She didn't comment on nitrite or nitrate.

 

[Essjay]

You are better getting your own test kits as shops can't be relied on. For example, yours didn't mention nitrite or nitrate. It is possible that the woman who did the test knows that ammonia is bad but doesn't know that nitrite is bad so she doesn't know she needs to mention it.

I would stop using the melafix. Bettas are labyrinth fish. This means they have a bony structure in their heads which allows them to absorb oxygen from air. They have evolved this because they come from water with little dissolved oxygen. But although our tanks have plenty of oxygen, bettas still need to be able to use their labyrinth organs. Chemicals like melafix which contain aromatic oils (melaleuca oil in melafix) can stop the labyrinth organ working properly.

 

[Abbeygeer]

You are better getting your own test kits as shops can't be relied on. For example, yours didn't mention nitrite or nitrate. It is possible that the woman who did the test knows that ammonia is bad but doesn't know that nitrite is bad so she doesn't know she needs to mention it.

I would stop using the melafix. Bettas are labyrinth fish. This means they have a bony structure in their heads which allows them to absorb oxygen from air. They have evolved this because they come from water with little dissolved oxygen. But although our tanks have plenty of oxygen, bettas still need to be able to use their labyrinth organs. Chemicals like melafix which contain aromatic oils (melaleuca oil in melafix) can stop the labyrinth organ working properly.

Thanks so much for your help and advice. I will invest in my own test kit and I haven't used the melafix for a while but will make sure not too from now on. Do you think it is worth medicating for fin rot?

Thanks

 

[NickAu]

Do you think it is worth medicating for fin rot?

Fin rot is the direct result of poor water conditions, All your fish needs is lots of clean warm water.

Until you get a test kit I would suggest at least 25% daily water changes.

 

[Abbeygeer]

Thanks Nick, I'll continue with my water changes. I have been doing them daily for over a week now, making sure the new water is treated with Aquaplus and that it is the right temperature.