Ill Betta Fish

[Approaching Zero]

Tank size: I moved him into a 1 gallon bowl, away from its divided partner (wich is in a small, temporary container).
pH: 7.1
ammonia: .2
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 0
kH: 0 (I have trouble keeping this up..)
gH: Very soft
tank temp: 76, it is very cold today and I'm desprately trying to get a heater for the fish.

My poor betta fish was acting strange this morning once I had first noticed his fins. They were already problematic; they are white and red tipped and torn. I began to think it was fin rot until he had no movement at all. He is constantly laying at the bottom and has no appetite. He is breathing rapidly and has trouble swimming; he darts and struggles to move himself. His fins are all clamped.
His partner seems very frisky and healthy, so thankfully whatever he has, has not infected him too.

Please help me identify this!

 

[stang1]

Ammonia sounds like the main problem, it's incredibly high and should have a reading of 0.
Try doing a water change to get the ammonia down and wrap a towel around the bowl to bring the temperature up slightly. Bettas prefer a temperature of about 27C (80F) so only needs to warm up slightly.

 

[Approaching Zero]

Is it okay to change the water again? It was fresh from this morning- those color strips are difficult to read so I assumed it was either .1 or .2, just a twinge of green. But if it will help my poor betta out, I'll do another change and use warmer water this time.

 

[stang1]

I'd do about a 50% water change and make sure the water is only a fraction warmer than what he's already in. adding water that is a lot warmer will cause distress to him.
It sounds as though you have the test strips, my advice would be to bin them and buy a liquid test kit. The test strips are inaccurate and will never give a true reading whereas the liquid ones are a lot more accurate.
Also, do you have any medicaion at all?

 

[Approaching Zero]

Ok, thanks for the advice! I may have some medication, but I'm not exactly sure what kinds. I'm new at betta owning, so I'm still learning the best I can how to take care of them. (I've had 2 before, 1 died of dropsy and the other.. well, jumped out of its bowl.)

 

[stang1]

Don't worry, we all have to start somewhere and you will learn more and more as you go along. Sorry about the loss of your other two, it's heartbreaking when you lose a fish.
I used Melafix when one of my boys had finrot and it cleared up nicely. Only use half the recommended dose though as Bettas are quite sensitive. Treat the water for 7 days and then do a water change. If you have a filter then you'll need to remove the carbon as the medicaton won't work.
Good luck, I'll kep my fingers crossed for you and let us know how you get on.

 

[Approaching Zero]

Thanks a lot! I'll go buy some right now. Also, he has an appetite, but he spits some of it back out. I hope this medication will help!

 

[stang1]

As long as he's eating something then he should be fine. They're greedy little beggars!
Try not to worry too much, you are doing everything you can for him and he's lucky to have such a caring owner.

 

[Approaching Zero]

Things have been getting worse; he's not eating anymore and his fins are crumbling at an alarming rate. I have been giving him medicine for two days (Melafix), and I have increased the temperature about 2 degrees ever since he has been in the other bowl (also, the ammonia has been producing too fast in the bowl, I think because off all the pieces of fin deteriorating. I'm afraid to try and change him more than 50% in this condition!). The way he is becomming worse makes me afraid that he isn't going to make it... Please, does anyone have any other advice...? I don't want to loose this guy! Especially when I have to see him suffer all the way through.

 

[*Fishkies*]

You could also try adding Pimafix to the mix. You can use Pimafix and Melafix medications together. However like mentioned above half doses have to be used on the bettas. Pimafix is an antifungal medication, I am currently using this on a corydora who has fungus, and possibly the beginnings of fin rot on him. It is almost gone and this is treatment day number 5.

 

[Approaching Zero]

Thanks for the suggestion! Do I mix it with Metafix, or put in a dose of Primafix by itself? I'm getting really scared for my betta because his fins are nearly gone. I don't want it to attack his body.

Edit: I'm using Maracyn- TC now instead. His fins are about 3/4 gone...