Finrot Back Again Grrrrrrrrrrrr

[BethK]

Hi ALl

My male VT betta isn't having a happy time of it at all!

His finrot keeps reappearing, I'm changing 30% of his water a day, using an anti-bacterial/finrot solution too. Water states;

pH: 8 (same as tap)
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
Temp: c
Tank: 17L

I'm not sure what to do anymore, each time it seems to have stopped and looked like new bits were forming, he would go downhill again.

Any advice would be grateful

xx

 

[Ft fisher]

Have you tried syphoning the gravel as part of your water change regime? Rubbish and left over food can get in there and rot and cause problems? Dno if you've tried it already, just a suggestion.

Hope it helps!

 

[BethK]

Have you tried syphoning the gravel as part of your water change regime? Rubbish and left over food can get in there and rot and cause problems? Dno if you've tried it already, just a suggestion.

Hope it helps!

Got sand in them, Been doing that. I added in his plants and it seems to have calmed it back down and I'm doing him up more on meds, switched to brine in garlic too, seeing if that gives his immune system a kick

 

[stang1]

Silly question but, could he be chewing his fins?

 

[BethK]

Silly question but, could he be chewing his fins?

That's what I thought but you can see the black and it's traveling down his rays

Got half a tail left and one of his flippers is half there, the other is fully there. He is still swimming about, happy as larry but I keep thinking i'm fighting a losing battle.

 

[stang1]

Have you tried Melafix/Pimafix?
I rescued a Betta that had been ripped to shreds and ended up with finrot. A week of the Melafix/Pimafix dosing and his fins grew back. You only need use half the recommended dose though as they are a little sensitive to the meds.

 

[BethK]

Not used that one yet, been using intrepid anti bacteria and finrot, might swap and use the one you mentioned x

 

[stang1]

Just remember to half the dosage as it can be quite hard on them. Should hopefully do the trick and start to see improvement within a week. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I think melafix is generally not recommended for bettas.

Ironically I was just going to ask how he was doing?

Could you try some aquarium salt?

 

[stang1]

Melafix is fine with Bettas provided you use half the dosage.

 

[BethK]

I upped the dosage of the intrepid yesterday and the blackness seems to have gone down noticeably. I am going to my LFS today, to see about getting a new filter, I have a feeling the one in the tank, isn't coping too well and wonder if it's adding to his issue.

I'll get some melafix too, worth a try x

 

[loraxchick]

i would not ever recommend melafix with bettas. half dose or not. bad things can happen!
id finish the round of finrot treatment and give him a rest from any and all meds for a week. meds used long term can do more harm than good.
best of luck
cheers

 

[BethK]

Thanks, yeah I opt'd out of Melfix and sticking with Intrepid. I've also brought brand new sand substrate, replacing the sand that was in there and I've cleaned the whole tank and plants etc.


So now hoping that helps, I've gone with black sand, which looks good, however, I can't see him now also brought some brime shrimp in garlic, hoping to boost his immune system (seeing as he is shop brought).

I'll let you know how it goes x

 

[stang1]

Surprises me that people are very anti Melafix with Bettas when I've never had problems with it.
Glad that he's doing better though and hopefully he's on the mend.

 

[loraxchick]

Surprises me that people are very anti Melafix with Bettas when I've never had problems with it.
Glad that he's doing better though and hopefully he's on the mend.

i bought some for a "natural tonic". used it on a VERY healthy betta with just a smal tear in his fins. stable tank stats. clean water and good food. used the recommended dosage and he was dead a few hours later. with no other signs of disease, and was in my care, active and healthy for months, to die of a cause that wasnt from melafix? unlikely. so im not saying its not a fine product and serves a good purpose, i just wouldnt take a chance again with another betta when clean water serves the same purpose as melafix. if not, you would need actual medicine (ie antibiotics) instead. pimafix is fine. used it many times, but is a different plant extract, for a different purpose, and never had a bad reaction with fish.
just my two cents.
cheers