Finrot

[Essjay]

My betta has finrot that won't go away. He's a crowntail and bits have been coming off his fins and tail. I haven't seen any red streaks as his main colour is orange red. He also has purply blue patches on his body and fins, and the damaged edges are all this colour.
I first treated with melafix but this had no effect. I've been using King British finrot and fungus control (all the nearest shop had) for the last couple of weeks. This seemed to be working at first, but then the bits started coming off again.
What should I do? Carry on with this med, or is there anything better I could try (bearing in mind that I'm in the UK).

Before anyone asks, the tank is 13.5litres/3.5 gallons. It has a filter (Elite mini set to slowest flow) and heater. NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 5, pH 6.9. Water changes are 20% twice a week. I would like to get him a bigger tank, but trying to persuade my husband is the biggest problem!

 

[hollyp0p]

My betta has finrot that won't go away. He's a crowntail and bits have been coming off his fins and tail. I haven't seen any red streaks as his main colour is orange red. He also has purply blue patches on his body and fins, and the damaged edges are all this colour.
I first treated with melafix but this had no effect. I've been using King British finrot and fungus control (all the nearest shop had) for the last couple of weeks. This seemed to be working at first, but then the bits started coming off again.
What should I do? Carry on with this med, or is there anything better I could try (bearing in mind that I'm in the UK).

Before anyone asks, the tank is 13.5litres/3.5 gallons. It has a filter (Elite mini set to slowest flow) and heater. NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 5, pH 6.9. Water changes are 20% twice a week. I would like to get him a bigger tank, but trying to persuade my husband is the biggest problem!

I've found myxazin by waterlife good for halting and treating finrot......melafix doesn't cure anything, but do use it with the myxazin, as it helps heal the damaged fin!
Also a little bit of aquarium salt (not too much as this adds to damage) helps healing!

 

[Essjay]

Thanks for that, I'll see if I can find someone who stocks myxazin. I had wondered about using aquarium salt but the King British med says not to use them together. Is it OK with myxazin?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yes myaxin is good

stress can stop fish from healing effectivley, is there plenty of cover in the tank? is it in a busy area of the house?

 

[hollyp0p]

yeah myxazin and salt are fine together (and melafix), I used that combo on my fish (one of which is a VT male betta) and all was fine!

 

[Essjay]

The tank is in the kitchen. He has a half coconut shell covered in Java fern (what my son calls a betta kennel!) and a silk plant. I don't like to put too much in there as it's only a small tank.
He was moved into a quiet part at the back of the lounge a few months ago while my husband was painting the back door, and he sulked while he was there - ignored us when we went near and just sat in a corner of the tank. He seemed to perk up when he was put back in the kitchen. Do you think it's too stressful there - it's only really busy at mealtimes.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

not by the sound of things, bettas are fairly expressive fish, you can see if he's happy or spooked so it sounds like he's fine where he is.

I'd put a couple more silk plants in, give him a bit more cover throughout the tank. Generally if fish have plenty of cover they feel safe, if they feel safe they are relaxed, if they are relaxed they'll heal better.

 

[hollyp0p]

not by the sound of things, bettas are fairly expressive fish, you can see if he's happy or spooked so it sounds like he's fine where he is.

I'd put a couple more silk plants in, give him a bit more cover throughout the tank. Generally if fish have plenty of cover they feel safe, if they feel safe they are relaxed, if they are relaxed they'll heal better.

agreed, he'll heal fast (once its cured) if he's tip top happy

 

[Essjay]

Maybe I'll pinch some hornwort from one of my other tanks see if he likes that! I also do have a couple of small silk plants if that wouldn't make him too overcrowded.

This fish is certainly an expressive one. Flares at eveything - mirrors, my (grown up) son, his food.....

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah stick some hornwort in and just see what he does.

 

[liz2]

i have had cts with fin rot and it seems to go on and on then suddenly you notice there are no more bits of tail falling off I usually just treat with really clean water and a smidge of aqua salt. Is he Ok with the filter my boys all hate them and sulk for England if I pot one in a tank?

 

[Essjay]

He seems to be fine with the filter. It's a really small one with an adjustable flow which I've got set as low as it'll go. There's not much water movement and the silk plant is right in front of the outlet. With only the one fish in there, it seems adequate as there's never been any ammonia or nitrite.