Betta trouble

[tttnjfttt]

One of my bettas in a divided tank has been having some trouble wiht finrot and possible sepcemia, so a week ago I medicated with both Maracyn and Maracyn 2. His tail appeared to be getting better for a while, but still just isn't looking right. He is in a divided tank with 3 other bettas, ammonia and nitrite are both zero. (long story, but 3 out of 4 bettas needed to be treated for finrot, this is the only guy I am worried about at this point).

Before, he was pure white, no red streaks on his fins. Here he is now, Last dose of Maracyn and Maracyn 2 were Monday, carbon has been removed, salt has been added.

EDIT: fixed pix.

 

[WILDER]

If he's not weak carry on with the meds, as it can take a while, worst thing to do is cut the meds short as all the problems will come back, if the septicemia has progressed it is very hard to cure, good luck.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Ok, so I probably should remove him from the divided tank and carry on the meds on his own?

I did a full round of treatment wiht Maracyn and Maracyn2. Is there something else I should use that might be more effective?

 

[tttnjfttt]

I should add he is still active and eating. He has even been building bubble nests.

 

[WILDER]

Tetracycline antibiotic.

 

[WILDER]

Tetracycline
Manufacturer: Aquatronics
A broad-spectrum antibiotic used in the treatment of gram-positive and some gram-negative bacterial infections. For infections of fin and tail rot, frayed fins, popeye, inflamed gills, mouth and body open sores/ulcers, livebearer disease, dropsy, Columnaris, and secondary infections such as fungal. Specific for livebearers and goldfish. Aerate the aquarium well when using. Useful for the control of some common bacterial diseases, including Aeromonias and Pseudomonas Genera and the Mysobacterial group.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Does it matter that septcemia isn't on the treatment list? If I were able to find some medicated food (meaning a trip down to carson city ~ 45 min away), could I use that in conjunction wiht the tetracycline? Or just keep him on the water based meds?

Also would adding melafix posibly help? The article you PMed me said it could be combined...

 

[WILDER]

No one or the other as you will end up over dosing the fish, if the fish is not eating the medicated food will be no good, blood poisoning needs a good strong antibiotic when it has progressed, tetracycline is gram negative and positive so it treat a large range of illness.

 

[xxSarahxx]

I am a bit of a melafix fan...when it is used appropriately I think it is a bit of a miracle worker. I've healed numerous things with it, including a very very severely mauled fish a while ago and am currently using it again for a similar reason. Whether or not it can be used in conjunction with other meds I am not sure but I just thought I'd mention how wonderful I have found it to be.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Ok, So I will start a round of tetracycline this time, isolating him in a 1 gal. If I can find internal meds, I will go ahead and switch him over.

Also, gonna give him a drop or two of melafix since I don't have bettafix.

 

[WILDER]

Good luck.

 

[xxSarahxx]

Yes...good luck. Let us know how he does.
I think it's a very positive thing that he is still himself...eating, active and bubble nests!

 

[rdd1952]

I was having a similar problem with what I thought was fin rot. Upon further inspection, I realized that their tales were more torn than diseased. Both of mine (this is 2 seperate tanks, not both in one tank) had a habit of swimming behind the HOB filter and heaters. I think they were tearing their fins on that. I used tank dividers which I cut and wrapped the filters and heaters so they couldn't get behind them. Both of theri tails and fins look great now. You may want to look at that possibility.

Also, their tails and fins are very delicate so they won't be back to perfect in a week of treatment with Melafix or what ever your using. It will take time.

 

[rdd1952]

Ok, So I will start a round of tetracycline this time, isolating him in a 1 gal.

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Be careful with tetracycline. My understanding is that it will totally wipe out your bacteria colony so you will have a completely uncycled tank after treating. That seems to defeat the purpose to me as the potential bad water conditions could be very stressful which is a major cause of fin rot.

 

[tttnjfttt]

I have actually double posted this on another forum, where there are lots of betta people whose experience (specifically with bettas) I really trust. They feel that it is indeed tail biting, even with the red. I was told that the red was most likely irritation, not sepcemia. I was also told that the divided tank could be the source of their stress and why I suddenly have two tail bitters.

As of right now, I've still got the melafix, but I will be getting some IAL soon, and I will switch to using that. If the redness does get worse (or the decomposition drastically continues), I will treat with tetracycline. If I use this med, it will be in uncycled 1 gal bowls, so no threat to the bacteria colony.