Not Fin Rot But Something Else?

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

GRR

There is something wrong with my betta’s fins. It doesn’t look like fin rot and it doesn’t look like ammonia burns; he’s managed to tear his top fin too .

Apart from extra water changes what can I do to help him along?

There is nothing in the tank to snag his tail on;

Stats from late last week were:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: Less than 5ppm
Temperature: 25 celsius (ish),

I didn’t have time this morning to measure the stats before I left for work.

The nitrate in the tank is fairly low as I keep his tank clean

So as I’ve said what can I do to help him? Increase the temperature?

I have melafix at home and I know it’s generally advised not to use with betta fish; could I use this but in tiny doses? I also have aquarium salt; should I add some; and if so should I add it to the full dose or should I just add a little at first since he’s never had it in his water?

 

[lilacamy931]

If it is a clean tear and doesnt look like it could be infected or finrot just keep that water crystal clear. I have had bad times with melafix and bettas even in small doses so wouldnt recommend it, if you can get some try for oh what is it called...blue stuff that really stains if you get it anywhere but the water (havent had the med in ages, any help peeps?). As to salt havent done it myself except epsom salt bath for a case of dropsy, so cant advise. I had a chap with ripped up torn fins come to me and his fins grew back with good water and right temp and filtration..speaking of could he have caught in on the filter?

Medicine - Waterlife Myxazin! I have find it gentle for most fish and helps to get them healing.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Brilliant; thank you. I'll see if I can get the medicine on e-bay or something; all my LFS just seem to sell melafix and something else that does the same thing (we used the other thing on my boyfriends fish and it didn't go down well with them).

I don't think he could have caught it on the filter; but I can't say for sure .

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Would Waterlife Myxazin stain my tank and ornaments?

 

[BethK]

Intrepid anti fungal and finrot is very good.

If it isn't any of the above, keep the water clean and use stress coat

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I dont know what it could be .

I'm going to do a 100% water change tonight and clean everything out; and then do water changes daily until the medicine arrives . I'll also test his water before I clean it tonight just to make sure there is nothing in the water.

I added a moss ball to his tank yesterday but that wouldn't have done anything .

I've got bog wood sitting waiting for his tank and live plants on the way ; he has silk at the moment

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Tested his water last night when I cleaned him;

Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = Less than 5
pH = 7.6
High pH = 7.4

(the pH is exactly the same as my tap water; I thought it changed as the water "sat" there).

I added a little salt; I didn't put much in as I read somewhere that some bettas tolerate it and some don't. There is just a tiny bit in to see how he goes.

I'll continue doing 50% water changes daily until medicine arrives/improvement occurs.

Checked his fins out this morning and they don't seem any worse which is good

 

[BethK]

Good to hear!

May invest in some almond leafs, they are good at helping a betta boost their healing process x

 

[sampster5000]

I faced a similar problem as you with your betta. Some work friends brought me a blue/green crowntail a few weeks ago in a very small fish container. (Had to of been less than a gallon. Makes me sick seeing betta or any fish in such small spaces.) The betta was in very bad shape. His fins were torn from top to bottom and he just looked sick in general. I put him in my 2.5 gallon rescue tank and covered the top with a towel overnight. When I saw that he was acting less stressed I added the freshwater aquarium salt. Directions say 1 tablespoon per 5 U.S. gallons so I added half a tablespoon. This stuff has always yielded good results for me. After 3 days I decided to check his physical and mental health. His fins had almost completely grown back and he was very active. This salt is magic! I recommend it for use on any fish but catfish or snails. Pretty much any fish with scales. The only other thing I did was fed him New Life Spectrum community fish formula 1mm pellets 1 time daily and every other day I added in some blood worms. He has been doing great so far and is very happy to be out of that straight jacket-like container!

P.S. My water paramaters are exactly the same right now so hopefully you see the same results!

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Ok now I’ve had time to study his tail/fins

It looked like he somehow managed to rip his dorsal fin….but there is still a problem with his tail.

I don’t know what it is; it looks like the rays to his tail are growing too long for his “fin”; the fin and rays are the same length however there seems to be some bunching of the rays in his tail (and his dorsal fin).

I’m just wondering what it is; how I can help it; is there anything I can do to prevent it?

I had wondered if it was a blown tail but from what I read a blown tail was basically a straight rip.

I’ve been doing 50% water changes daily since his ripped dorsal fin; I did add a little aquarium salt (1/4 teaspoon – I didn’t want to risk putting more in until I knew he was ok with it) but I haven’t added more yet; I will tonight as by then by my calculations the salt level will be low enough to add more.

 

[silverrabbit]

Is it in the regrowth? I am slow and can't picture what you're talking about in my tiny brain, haha

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Is it in the regrowth? I am slow and can't picture what you're talking about in my tiny brain, haha

No it's not regrowth at all. I tried to get a photo but the silly boy won't sit still for 1 second.

I'll try and draw it; it's difficult to explain really.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Grr I can't add a photo.

I'll have to wait until 12pm so I can add it to my flickr account and post the link

Is there any way I can add a photo from file?

EDIT: Ok I've added it to flickr; so hopefully it should work

Picture

If the link doesn't work it's on flickr.com/dipsydoodlenoodle (first picture there).

Excuse my artistic skills

 

[loraxchick]

damaged rays will sometimes grow back "kinked". really nothing you can do about it but doesnt affect the fish. ive read that some folks flare them for an hour or so a day to try to straighten it out as it grows, if you are worried about appearance. some bettas rays grow this way, even without injury.
all the best. i wouldnt go crazy with the salt.
cheers

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

damaged rays will sometimes grow back "kinked". really nothing you can do about it but doesnt affect the fish. ive read that some folks flare them for an hour or so a day to try to straighten it out as it grows, if you are worried about appearance. some bettas rays grow this way, even without injury.
all the best. i wouldnt go crazy with the salt.
cheers

I only added quarter of a tea spoon to 5 gallons .

If its perfecly normal then phew . I'm not really worried about his appearance; so long as he is happy and healthy ; he hasn't injured his fins for them to grow kinked; they just started growing like that; one of his pectorial fins (the big long prongy ones) grew kinked and then grew back bent (with a right angle on it). He certainly wouldn't win awards; but I don't care; he's my little boy