Sick Betta Buddy

[Plan-B]

I have a Betta in a 5.5 gallon, filtered tank. About 3 weeks ago I added a heater to the tank and over the space of a few days brought the temp up to 79*F / 26*C. The Betta loves the heater, only a little too much. I found him wrapped around it on occasion and then noticed discoloration on this anal fin. A small patch in the middle that has gone white, gray instead of its normal blue. I assumed this was caused by the heater and bought a cover for it. For the next 4 to 5 days the fish seemed fine and his fin looked like it was starting to heal. Then 2 days ago he stopped eating and being active like normal. He’s been sitting in the bottom corner of the tank, behind a plant, only moving to surface for air.

He went in the tank straight from the pet store 2 months ago and is the only fish in there. I feed him Betta flakes with bloodworms once and awhile. Now that the tank is cycled I’m doing 10-20% water changes on it weekly. All my water tests seem ok.

Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 10ppm
PH - 7.5

Any ideas on what’s wrong with him would be great.

 

[jams.alaskan]

I think that your observations may be the clue... he may have burned off some of his slime coat on the heater. It would leave him open to infection, keep and eye on him and perhaps put a little melafix in the water...

ALASKA

 

[GuppyDude]

ya thats wat i was thinking, maybe hes not eating because he cought something from haveing that open patch melafix should bring back his slime coating and keep it from getting infected with somthing.

 

[Dane]

aww, poor little guy

Try putting melafix like GD suggested, keep him away from bacterial infections.

 

[Plan-B]

It doesn’t appear to be spreading at all. In fact over the last few days it looks better. I started him on the recommended dosage of melafix yesterday and today he is active and seems his normal self. I’m not sure if he’ll eat yet as I’m going to wait till his normal feeding time tonight. Aquarium pharmaceuticals recommend adding 1 tsp. of melafix for every 10 gallons of water once a day for a week. Then do a 25% water change and continue treatment as necessary. I’m wondering how long I should treat for. Should I stop once he starts eating again? Should I stop once I notice the damage on his fin start to heal? Should I continue until the fin is completely healed?

Thanks for all the help,
Plan.

 

[fourplayfishy]

i find as soon as he starts eating again cut the dosage of mela in half