Help With Diagnosis

[kimberly]

I've had a crowntail Betta for around 3 months. He's male (has long fins, blows bubble nests). However, he has what appears to be a ovipositor. I noticed it once or twice about a month ago. I did a search but haven't found any relevant information on it. I'm thinking maybe it's a rectal problem or parasite/disease. He hasn't shown any behavioral signs of illness. He eats, poops, and is active. However, lately, I noticed his dorsal fin has shrunk. Not by much, but one or two strips are gone. He is alone in a 1.5 gallon Marina Betta Pals Aquarium (while I cycle his 10 gallon). I have been changing the water 100% every 5 days as advised on the bettatalk.com website. I am starting to worry that he may have parasites or fin rot. He doesn't have any holes in his fins or any black or white spots, but two strips of his dorsal fin are definitely missing.

I plan on gradually adding some aquarium salt to the tank which I purchased along with Melafix, but I've read some conflicting stories about the latter. So I've decided to use the aquarium salt only.

Can someone please help me make a proper diagnosis?

 

[K.J.]

Some males - it's rare - will have oviposters, I myself have had a few. His rays missing may be due to rot or shredding, are there any sharp plants/ornaments in his tank? Or does he show any black edging around his fins?

 

[kimberly]

Some males - it's rare - will have oviposters, I myself have had a few. His rays missing may be due to rot or shredding, are there any sharp plants/ornaments in his tank? Or does he show any black edging around his fins?

There's one plastic plant that came with the tank. It doesn't feel sharp, but I can't be sure what caused his dorsal fin to shrink. There is no black edging or anything abnormal about his fins other than the missing rays. Here's a photo of the exact kit I have with the plant in it:

http/www.petco.com/product/10367/Marina-Betta-Kits.aspx

I could replace the plant with a small silk plant just in case. I saw some at the fish store.

 

[hollyp0p]

my male odin still has his eggbump too
nothing to worry about!

 

[Jaded12]

What are your tank stats? Crowntails are more sensitive then other bettas to ammonia in the water, and it can cause their spikes to litterally burn off.

 

[kimberly]

What are your tank stats? Crowntails are more sensitive then other bettas to ammonia in the water, and it can cause their spikes to litterally burn off.

I tested the ammonia right now and it's 0.6ppm. The last time I changed his water was 3 days ago. I usually change it every 5 days. Though I have let it go as long as 6 days, twice. I've been following the instructions from bettatalk.com. Which said to do a 100% water change "for 1/2 gal jar once every 5 to 6 days".

Edit: I got him a new amazon silk plant as a precaution. He appears to like it a lot more, too. He's sitting on it like a butterfly.