Fin Color (help!)

[Wikipedian]

I have a male betta fish named Brutus who is completely red, but today I noticed that the tips of some of his fins are white. I've been keeping him in a bowl for the past few months because I couldn't get him a tank, but today I did, and I'm afraid he might be sick. Do any conditions match those symptoms?


Also, is it absolutely necessary to get him a heater for the tank? He's been perfectly fine living in his bowl for the past few months (since December) with just room temperature water. Is it just different for tanks?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[OpalineAqua]

Is he moving about like normal? Look for other signs of illness. Is it possible to show a pic? Most bettas have white tips to some of their fins, and it's normal. The only thing I could think of would be fin rot, but that would mean the fins would look torn and frayed.

 

[OpalineAqua]

Oh ,yeah, BTW, good idea switching to a regular tank,Brutus will be much happier in there. For the heater issue, my betta doesn't have one and he is just fine. We just keep the house on the warm side.

 

[ReMz]

Is he moving about like normal? Look for other signs of illness. Is it possible to show a pic? Most bettas have white tips to some of their fins, and it's normal. The only thing I could think of would be fin rot, but that would mean the fins would look torn and frayed.

Oh ,yeah, BTW, good idea switching to a regular tank,Brutus will be much happier in there. For the heater issue, my betta doesn't have one and he is just fine. We just keep the house on the warm side.

Ignore the quoted advice.

OpalineAqua - Plz reserve posting advise in this section until you have a clue what you are talking about. Blunt, but true.

Wikipedian-

This sounds like the start of fin rot. Keep in mind that bettas are fairly hardy - but are still the EXACT same as other tropical fish species (with the exception of having a labyrinth organ allowing them to breath surface air). Heating and filtering (for the sake of chemical control, not airation) are required for bettas. A couple of months of 'surviving' does not even compare to the 4-5 years (sometimes more) that these fish can thrive in a proper setup.

Room temp is not sufficient. Bettas need 72-81ish Degrees Farenheight. I keep my betta tanks right at 79-80 all year round. You also need to consider the temperature fluctuations inside your house (seasonal, drafts, air conditioning, windows). In their natural envirionment, bettas do not experience extreme temperature fluctuations in large bodies of water. A betta tank can change temperature very, very fast without a heater. Temperature fluctuations and low temperature (even room temp) make bettas much more susceptible to disease.

As far as the "possible" finrot is concerned: You may need to treat with Maracyn 1 and Maracyn 2 in conjunction. One is specific to fin rot and external fungus/bacteria (I cannot remember which one off the top of my head), but bettas in sub-par conditions that pick up a disease commonly develop multiple symptoms. Maracyn 1 and 2 will knock out just about anything.

Keep in mind your betta will be weakened during treatment (these are antibiotics). A proper housing situation is necessary.

What size tank is your betta in?
Is it heated?
Filtered?
What sort of maintenance do you do on the tank?

These questions will help in further consultation.

 

[loraxchick]

is it white or translucent? new growth looks almost clear-ish. and then colors up. just a thought.

 

[The Village Idiot]

OpalineAqua - Plz reserve posting advise in this section until you have a clue what you are talking about. Blunt, but true.

Surely there's a more tactful way to get this point across.

As far as the "possible" finrot is concerned: You may need to treat with Maracyn 1 and Maracyn 2 in conjunction. One is specific to fin rot and external fungus/bacteria (I cannot remember which one off the top of my head), but bettas in sub-par conditions that pick up a disease commonly develop multiple symptoms. Maracyn 1 and 2 will knock out just about anything.

With respect to your obviously vast knowledge, ReMz, I take issue with this portion of the post. As loraxchick stated, there are other explanations. Antibiotic treatment should be used only when one is certain it is needed.

My recommendation (take it as such) is to use MelaFix as a treatment/preventative measure. It is a natural and very mild medication which should work fine in such an early stage of finrot, if that is, in fact, the problem.

Other than that, I agree with your post, in its entirety. Bettas are "tough" so they can survive lower temperatures and poor water conditions better than other fish, but the results will be shortened life-spans that are rife with problems. A betta housed in cold and/or polluted water can't compare in vibrance or personality to one that is housed properly.

 

[bronzecat]

Other than that, I agree with your post, in its entirety. Bettas are "tough" so they can survive lower temperatures and poor water conditions better than other fish, but the results will be shortened life-spans that are rife with problems. A betta housed in cold and/or polluted water can't compare in vibrance or personality to one that is housed properly.

Hi
Just out of interest, what temp is your house/room kept at? and what temp is the tank water?

Ha ha linked the wrong quote I meant to ask that question to OpalineAqua

 

[The Village Idiot]

Don't feel bad. Once a person reads one of my posts, they have a hard time pulling themselves away from the wealth of knowledge and genius. <---joke

 

[bronzecat]

Don't feel bad. Once a person reads one of my posts, they have a hard time pulling themselves away from the wealth of knowledge and genius. <---joke

 

[Honeythorn]

Is your house kept at fairly constant tropical temperatures? Do you live in a very warm area of the globe? If the answer is no, then you need a heater. Bettas are tropical fish. They come from warm slow moving waters.

 

[ReMz]

OpalineAqua - Plz reserve posting advise in this section until you have a clue what you are talking about. Blunt, but true.

Surely there's a more tactful way to get this point across.

As far as the "possible" finrot is concerned: You may need to treat with Maracyn 1 and Maracyn 2 in conjunction. One is specific to fin rot and external fungus/bacteria (I cannot remember which one off the top of my head), but bettas in sub-par conditions that pick up a disease commonly develop multiple symptoms. Maracyn 1 and 2 will knock out just about anything.

With respect to your obviously vast knowledge, ReMz, I take issue with this portion of the post. As loraxchick stated, there are other explanations. Antibiotic treatment should be used only when one is certain it is needed.

My recommendation (take it as such) is to use MelaFix as a treatment/preventative measure. It is a natural and very mild medication which should work fine in such an early stage of finrot, if that is, in fact, the problem.

Other than that, I agree with your post, in its entirety. Bettas are "tough" so they can survive lower temperatures and poor water conditions better than other fish, but the results will be shortened life-spans that are rife with problems. A betta housed in cold and/or polluted water can't compare in vibrance or personality to one that is housed properly.

No reason to be tactful when inexperienced people dive into a thread and pretend that they know what they are talking about. I was being deliberate on purpose. I've seen it too many times.... beginner asks question.... another beginner with google answers question..... original beginner takes advice and leaves to go kill of their fish.

As far as my Maracyn treatment recommendation, you are correct. Perhaps I should reserve my 'fish advice' for when I haven't been partying all night and venturing onto the forums during wee hours of the morning.
What I meant was that if the problem IS in fact identified as finrot, quick measures need to be taken. Melafix will not do anything in stopping the progression for finrot, but it is certainly a good start if you are uncertain.

 

[loraxchick]

Where's the OP for some answers to some important questions BEFORE treating the fish with ANYTHING?