multiple fin rips

[Hanako]

Sorry to have to post something thats probably a repeat, but the search function doesn't work for me for some reason

Max has developed what looks like clean rips in his fins. This is a before pic to refer to the locations...

At first it was only a tiny rip on one side of that extra long ray on his bottom tail. Now it's become ripped on either side of the ray, and a little rip in the fin attached to the lower body. Really worried about it getting infected...

What would be the best thing to do for him?

 

[riogal_11]

I will go ahead and assume that he is in an unfiltered tank, so I would do a 100% water change, and add some salt..... wait a bit, and see if he starts to get better. If he gets worse or doesn't improve at all, you may have to use some meds. But clean water and salt can work wonders. Goodluck

 

[RandomWiktor]

The darkened fin tips could indicate fin rot, but your betta could just have that as his natural markings. However, randomly appearing "rips" usually are related to fin rot, or something in tank that is harmful. Does he have coarse gravel, sharp ornaments, or plastic plants? They, too, could be the culprit.

That aside, I would reccomend the same advice as riogal; salt and cleaner tank conditions usually cure fin rot unless it is in a very severe and advanced state.

 

[Hanako]

Yep unfiltered 2 gallon tank...there are some silk plants, gravel (not really sharp I'd say, like regular gravel), and a ceramic pot.

I just did a 100% water change and will pick up some aq salt tomorrow. How much should I add? And how long should I wait for results to show?

Is there any benefit to have gravel? I'm thinking of just going bare bottom.

 

[Hanako]

would it be best to just remove the plants right now?? or would that induce stress?

He seems to be acting a bit jittery right now...

 

[RandomWiktor]

Whenever any animal is sick, it is a bad idea to dramatically modify the surroundings, unless the surroundings are harmful. Gravel and silk plants shouldn't hurt him, so I would leave them in; if anything, distressed animals would like more hiding places.

Most aquarium salt I've read suggests 1 tbsp per 5 gallons, so you'd had to figure out dosing it for a 2 gallon. Maybe you can find a brand that tells you by gallon? Or perhaps someone here with a tank that size could tell you - my tanks are all 5-30 gal, so I wouldn't know It would obviously be somewhat less than 1/2 tbsp.

 

[Elise]

I always just estimate given that 5 gals=1tbsp.

Don't move the plants around unless there is sharp objects poking off the plants (I found that one of my silk plants has mock buds on the stem that come to a very sharp point and that's what tore up my fishes fins!)

He should be just fine. A few rips isn't anything horrible.

Just keep him very clean and salted and he should be fine.

I've also added Bettafix before if I think the fins need to heal faster. You could try this.