How Long Should It Take To Recover?

[fourthtimelucky]

My new VT Mr Fantastic has been in his new home for a couple of weeks now, and although he has been blowing bubblenests, patrolling, scarfing down flake, pellets, guppy pellets and bloodworm like there's no tomorrow... he is still a bit raggedy around the edges. He was getting a bit knocked about in a tank of platies when I bought him and he has quite a few splits in his tail and dorsal fin - all under 1cm long and not getting any worse so I'm not too worried, but I'd like to see him all better.

I am treating with melafix at half the recommended dosage but although I think I see a very small amount of regrowth (difficult to tell) he's not recovering as fast as I would like. He's in a filtered 6g tank so I am wary of doing too many water changes in case I send my filter into a mini-cycle.

Is there anything else I could be doing to improve his condition faster? I am considering adding a small amount of salt to the tank, or possibly doing a salt bath next time I change his water. Should I take the filter out for a couple of weeks (I can run it in my main tank to keep the bacteria going) and change the water daily? Or should I just give him some more time? Any expert betta help gratefully appreciated!

 

[*Bethie*]

I know alot of people recommend using salt when fins get ragged. So I would definetely try that.

My other question is, how long have you had him? Regrowth takes at least a good month, depending on the damage. It can take several months if the damage is severe.

I hope someone else has more that they can chip in, and I hope I helped!

*Bethie*

 

[fourthtimelucky]

Thanks Bethie!

I have had only had him for a couple of weeks so I guess I should just be a bit more patient.

There is definitely some clear re-growth at the very edges of the tail so hopefully he will continue to improve.

 

[modaz]

what youve been doing so far is the right thing to do but now just keep up with daily 60% water changes and stop the melafix as this has had the desired effect and the growth has started, melafix is to stop wounds becoming infected and this hasnt happened, also dont add salt either as this is for the same reason as the melafix, just do the water changes and feed him some live of frozen food twice a week as well. And yes you are being a little impatient, as long as he's active then he will be fine

 

[CathyGo]

stop the melafix as this has had the desired effect and the growth has started, melafix is to stop wounds becoming infected and this hasnt happened,

Melafix will also help fins to regrow faster. We use it a lot at half strength once the rot has stopped. Otherwise just be patient.

 

[cowbla1]

it took my pacu a year to recover

 

[fourthtimelucky]

Won't daily 60% water changes send my filter into a mini-cycle?

I have a 3g (approx) hospital tank I could put him in (with a heater but no filter) so if the daily water changes are the most important thing I could do that.

I took him off the melafix day before yesterday. He was fine last night but this morning he seems quite a bit worse, the regrowth seems to have vanished and the edges are looking almost "spiny" for a good 4mm. I'm getting quite worried.

I have a driving lesson right now but going to give him another salt bath when I get back. Do you think I should move him into the unfiltered hospital tank for now?

 

[fourthtimelucky]

Well, I gave him a salt bath whilst cleaning out his tank. I did a really good gravel vac and about a 50% change, also dosed the tank with melafix. I will be testing the water daily from tomorrow to make sure this hasn't uncycled the filter. I also removed a piece of plastic driftwood as I was a little worried about the edges on it. Not sharp exactly, but I wanted to be safe.

He is still acting fine, rushing around, eating, rebuilding his bubble nest. He just looks so raggedy. I am going to go get some frozen food for him this afternoon, hopefully that will help.

 

[fourthtimelucky]

Tried him on some frozen daphnia (defrosted) earlier and he ignored it for ages. Just as I was about to vacuum it out of the tank he took a nibble of it off of the moss balls so I will leave it in overnight and do another vac tomorrow.

 

[*Bethie*]

What size tank do you have him in? I have a girl that got severly beat up about 2 weeks ago in a 2.5 unfiltered tank with 1/2 tsp. of aquarium salt and melefix. When I pulled her out I thought she was going to die, she looked so bad. However now I can see clear areas where her fins are growing back. She is recovering very nicely. I say not too bad considering I thought she was going to die!

I'm doing a 100% water change on her once a week. The bottom of the tank is bare too, so I can keep an eye on her poo and such.

I hope this helps, and keep us posted on how your guy is doing!

*Bethie*

 

[fourthtimelucky]

Thankyou bethie. He is in a 5 gallon filtered hex, lots of plants, one small apple snail. I do have a small hospital tank I could set up for him in but he is so active that I am reluctant to put him in the smaller tank. Really except for his frayed edges he seems in the pink.

I think I'm going to up the water changes. I have filters running in my main tank that I can nick some media from if this one uncycles as a result. I'll give him a few more days and then make a decision about the hospital tank.

I got one of those "tropical quarted" frozen foods so I'm going to try him on one of the different "flavours" and see if I can get him to eat a bit more of it today, since the daphnia one didn't go down too well.

 

[*Bethie*]

I have a boy that's a tail biter, and that's what I do with him. I keep in his regular tank but add aquarium salt everytime I do a water change, which is one a week. Why he's tail biting I have not a clue, but at least I can keep it from being infected.

I hope he likes the new food! Keep us posted on how its going!

*Bethie*

 

[*Bethie*]

Just checking in to see how your fish is doing. Is he doing any better? How are his fins, are they still growing back nicely? Let us know!