New betta - fins look like swiss cheese!

[Polardbear]

Hi all,

I picked up a new betta last night and let him get settled in before taking a real close look at him. This morning when I turned on his light it looked like he has swiss cheese for fins. Any suggestions for what I can do for him?

 

[BettaMomma]

Holy MOLY.
or Holey FINS, I should say.

He's had some nasty stuff attacking him.
Since he's in some good clean water right now, I'd make SURE to keep his water really clean - keep an eye on him, and watch those holes. IF you see them getting any worse, you'll need to treat him with meds. For right now, though, I'd keep him in with the clean water and get a bit of aquarium salt in there. Do you have some of that?

 

[cation]

Holes like that can be due to a lack of minerals in the water, from what I understand. They usually start as "pinholes", then get bigger. I've had a fish or two who had a little pinhole in their fin, and I usually treat with BettaMax. This is good for pinholes, because they add minerals and lots of tonic-y stuff to the water, and is a great preventative antibiotic, so the holes won't get infected. Lots of water changes, BettaMax, a pinch of salt, and some healthy frozen foods, and the pinholes should be getting better in no time!

Good luck.

 

[Polardbear]

Thanks. I've got aquarium salt and I'll pick up some BettaMax for him. Poor little guy, he looks pretty pathetic when he flares.