Problem With His Fins!

[umlaut31]

Hey all,

Just got Gandalf my new betta home (pictures will soon follow ) and noticed that one of his fins - his right pectoral fin isn't working It looks kind of attached to his body, and there is a slight white/yellow colouring (i think anyways) on and vaguely around it.

He just holds it against his side - the other is working fine, and he seems to hang around at the back of his tank - nearish to the filter and heater. The only other things in his tank are 2 ottos, and it has been cycled and everything is going swell.

Any ideas about what is wrong with him? I'm quite worried because he's my first betta and he's soooo cute!

Thanks =]

 

[Colin_T]

it could have a fungal or bacterial infection. Fungal infections often affect them due to transport stress and cool water.
Make sure the water quality is good and the temperature is correct. If it doesn't get better in the next day or so then treat it. Melafix & Pimafix might work if it is a minor infection but stronger medications might be needed.

 

[umlaut31]

Is it normal for him to just kind of sit there and look glum?

Just keeps breathing in water (well taking in water you know) and doesn't move..

 

[Colin_T]

male Bettas spend most of their time just sitting under the surface. About the only time they swim aorund is when they are showing off to the girls, or they wanna fight with the boys.

 

[heygetsmart]

Maybe it's just a little depression? I suggest that if his fins do not start working properly after a couple days, hop on the internet and try and diagnose. If not just wing it and try treating him with fungal medication

 

[Honeythorn]

If his fin is clamped it's a sign something is wrong indeed.

Does the yellowish colour look like his fin is sprinkled with gold dust? If so it could be velvet disease. He may have picked something up in the store.

 

[umlaut31]

If his fin is clamped it's a sign something is wrong indeed.

Does the yellowish colour look like his fin is sprinkled with gold dust? If so it could be velvet disease. He may have picked something up in the store.

It doesn't really sparkle - it just looks a lot more see-through than usual, yellowy/white around it.. and it's ragged and the ends curl up. It's almost like it's not there - just some white powder has replaced it and almost touches the gills

He just sits in the corner of his tank, hasn't moved for a couple of hours.. his mouth is just opening and closing.. I think I'm going to pick up some malafix tomorrow - see if that helps at all

 

[Honeythorn]

Keep the water very clean and try a Finrot medication like Myzaxin. There's not much point using melafix now if the fin is still diseased. You need to treat that first, then use melafix after to repair the fin .

If the tanks in the store were all running off the same system ( as many do ) then he could have caught it from another tank as the water passed through.