I've had my HM mle for about 7 months, five of which hes has a re-occuring fin rot problem. It started really fast, and within about a day half his back fin was black. I treated it immedietly and the rotted fin dropped off. This keeps happening. I treat untill I see some fin re-growth, then back off, and his fins fall apart again. I don't know what to do with him! He has horrible stress lines and his colour has faded. He eats fine, and hes in a 2 gal heated and filtered tank with two java ferns and I do a 1/4 water change weekly. Should I just freeze him?
What To Do?
- Thread starter Jessica.M
- Start date
modaz
Getting old, but nowhere near knackered, i just lo
no dont freeze him, keep trying with him, if i was in your position i would turn the filter off and do water changes every 3 days of atleast 60-80%, feed him on live foods most of the week to boost his immune system, you may find that this will work and sort his fins out, remember he might well be over 15 months old already, keep trying as i dont think its right to cull until you have no choice what so ever, if he is eating then he's got a good chance.
what temp is his tank?
I'll try that. I've been feeding blood worms mostly. I have noticed a bit of a slow down in him though. He used to flare at everything that passed his tank, now he just kinda swims up and looks at me.
The tank is at 78
Syphoniera
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Hi, Jessica.M,
so sorry about your problems, and, boy, can I empathize.
I've recently encountered that black fin rot for the first time, and have been struggling with it for several months myself, although the fish about which I'm most concerned was actually infected through splashing from the tank beside his.
May I ask what you're treating yours with?
I've tried Maracyn and Maracyn 2 and several wide-range antibiotics as well as salt and Pimafix (the last in the beginning) and wanted to try Jungle Fungus Eliminator but seem to be unable to get any out here.
Have you tried that yet?
I don't know how long you're treating for or with what, but it seems evident, as the black rot recurs whenever you back off, that the treatment you're using is effective but needs to maintained longer.
And each time, the potential for resistance to meds develops further...
My Graffitti was sold as a half moon as well, and would have been if his top outside ray wasn't bent the wrong direction - they're evidently far more susceptible than most as black fins came in on some tetras, Harlequins, a female betta and a crowntail betta I've bought over the past few months from the same source, with only the Betta fins being eaten away at all at the time of purchase and improvement on the bettas since, if no cure yet on any fish with the exception (knock wood) of the crowntail male, while on Graffitti the progress appears inexorable, eating away half his tail from one little spot appearing high up and just now having reached his body.
I have hopes for the Maroxy, though, which I just managed to get and switched to last night, and I don't think it's wishful thinking that some overnight improvement appears to have occurred.
If any miracles happen over here, I'll let you know, in the event you haven't tried this yet and can get it in your area.
If it IS necessary to put down your fish - freezing is PAINFUL as well as frightening.
Clove Oil is used by some as a fish anesthetic, and a few drops mixed in water and added into an ice cream bucket or other such container of tank water will cause the fish, once put in, to gradually slow and go to sleep - too much evidently burns or stings as they'll struggle.
But it won't actually kill many fish at that dosage, although bettas can drown while unconscious and unable to surface breathe, and the only way to be sure is to add LOTS once CERTAIN that the fish is out cold and hasn't moved for some time.
This is the only way I know to reduce terror and suffering to the lowest possible extent.
I leave the body (in a quiet corner where it's easy to check) until it floats, so as to avoid any risk of an unpleasant, and slowly deadly, awakening.
I also keep bodies (of all fish, in disposable plastic cups) until VERY obviously dead, having been warned that bettas, especially, can appear totally dead only to revive once flushed or thrown away.
But as long as there's hope and the fish is not suffering severely, one can always try, as miracles do sometimes happen and a last-minute save can occur.
And if you're using something that is effective, even temporarily, please let us all know, and at least there will be something that others can try as well, even if it's too late for some.
This black fin rot seems to be something new.
so sorry about your problems, and, boy, can I empathize.
I've recently encountered that black fin rot for the first time, and have been struggling with it for several months myself, although the fish about which I'm most concerned was actually infected through splashing from the tank beside his.
May I ask what you're treating yours with?
I've tried Maracyn and Maracyn 2 and several wide-range antibiotics as well as salt and Pimafix (the last in the beginning) and wanted to try Jungle Fungus Eliminator but seem to be unable to get any out here.
Have you tried that yet?
I don't know how long you're treating for or with what, but it seems evident, as the black rot recurs whenever you back off, that the treatment you're using is effective but needs to maintained longer.
And each time, the potential for resistance to meds develops further...
My Graffitti was sold as a half moon as well, and would have been if his top outside ray wasn't bent the wrong direction - they're evidently far more susceptible than most as black fins came in on some tetras, Harlequins, a female betta and a crowntail betta I've bought over the past few months from the same source, with only the Betta fins being eaten away at all at the time of purchase and improvement on the bettas since, if no cure yet on any fish with the exception (knock wood) of the crowntail male, while on Graffitti the progress appears inexorable, eating away half his tail from one little spot appearing high up and just now having reached his body.
I have hopes for the Maroxy, though, which I just managed to get and switched to last night, and I don't think it's wishful thinking that some overnight improvement appears to have occurred.
If any miracles happen over here, I'll let you know, in the event you haven't tried this yet and can get it in your area.
If it IS necessary to put down your fish - freezing is PAINFUL as well as frightening.
Clove Oil is used by some as a fish anesthetic, and a few drops mixed in water and added into an ice cream bucket or other such container of tank water will cause the fish, once put in, to gradually slow and go to sleep - too much evidently burns or stings as they'll struggle.
But it won't actually kill many fish at that dosage, although bettas can drown while unconscious and unable to surface breathe, and the only way to be sure is to add LOTS once CERTAIN that the fish is out cold and hasn't moved for some time.
This is the only way I know to reduce terror and suffering to the lowest possible extent.
I leave the body (in a quiet corner where it's easy to check) until it floats, so as to avoid any risk of an unpleasant, and slowly deadly, awakening.
I also keep bodies (of all fish, in disposable plastic cups) until VERY obviously dead, having been warned that bettas, especially, can appear totally dead only to revive once flushed or thrown away.
But as long as there's hope and the fish is not suffering severely, one can always try, as miracles do sometimes happen and a last-minute save can occur.
And if you're using something that is effective, even temporarily, please let us all know, and at least there will be something that others can try as well, even if it's too late for some.
This black fin rot seems to be something new.
Nice to know I'm not alone, though I wouldn't wish this on anybody. I'm ready to rip out my hair!
I am using the Jungle Fungus Clear, which is also what we use to make betta water at work
It does seem to work, but as soon as I take him off of it another chunk of fin comes off right away. I've basted him in it for two months at a time. Arg!
I talked to our 'fish guru lady' at work, and shes bringing me some of her QuickFix(not sure if thats right). She swears by it. Its a Petcetera product, so if you don't have Petceteras near you, you can't get it. I'll let you know how it goes though.
I really didn't want to euthanize him for the longest time, because he held all his spunk for a good four months, but now hes super stressed and hes gone all pale and lethargic. What happened to my macho man that used to flare at me through the glass if I so much as looked at him
Hopefully this QuickFix stuff will work like she says it does. *Fingers Crossed*
I am using the Jungle Fungus Clear, which is also what we use to make betta water at work
It does seem to work, but as soon as I take him off of it another chunk of fin comes off right away. I've basted him in it for two months at a time. Arg!I talked to our 'fish guru lady' at work, and shes bringing me some of her QuickFix(not sure if thats right). She swears by it. Its a Petcetera product, so if you don't have Petceteras near you, you can't get it. I'll let you know how it goes though.
I really didn't want to euthanize him for the longest time, because he held all his spunk for a good four months, but now hes super stressed and hes gone all pale and lethargic. What happened to my macho man that used to flare at me through the glass if I so much as looked at him
Hopefully this QuickFix stuff will work like she says it does. *Fingers Crossed*
Syphoniera
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Good luck, and thanks.
The saddest thing might well be that the long term use of meds for persistent illness can make them toxic and weaken them - and what else can you do?
But if you can get something that works, bettas do have the most amazing ability to heal, and they are very tough fish.
He may pull through just fine yet.
And while there's life, there's hope.
I don't think we do have any Petceteras, but there may be something else with similar ingredients, whatever those are - from where, I've no idea.
The LFS I go to used to have lots of things, but apparently a lot of meds aren't being allowed into Canada anymore, at least that's what I'm hearing from there..
There's certainly very little of anything I've been looking for there lately, and this is since all those infected fish have been coming in there.
I suppose that's why - they can't treat either, although I've actually no idea, just guessing.
If the worst happens, though, you can get Clove Oil at health food stores and possibly drugstores as well.
And at least there's hopefully no fear or pain involved, which helps the owner a lot, too.
As much as anything can.
Edit: I thought I'd phoned pretty much everywhere looking for meds - but I guess I just never called Petcetera as the only location given is waaaaaay across town so the name never stuck - that and I tend to avoid big chains and go, if possible, to smaller, family-owned.
Turns out three locations here, so - assuming he's hanging in there tomorrow, and there's been no definite improvement from the Maroxy - I can hopefully get something else to try.
THANKS!!!!!!!!
The saddest thing might well be that the long term use of meds for persistent illness can make them toxic and weaken them - and what else can you do?
But if you can get something that works, bettas do have the most amazing ability to heal, and they are very tough fish.
He may pull through just fine yet.
And while there's life, there's hope.
I don't think we do have any Petceteras, but there may be something else with similar ingredients, whatever those are - from where, I've no idea.
The LFS I go to used to have lots of things, but apparently a lot of meds aren't being allowed into Canada anymore, at least that's what I'm hearing from there..
There's certainly very little of anything I've been looking for there lately, and this is since all those infected fish have been coming in there.
I suppose that's why - they can't treat either, although I've actually no idea, just guessing.
If the worst happens, though, you can get Clove Oil at health food stores and possibly drugstores as well.
And at least there's hopefully no fear or pain involved, which helps the owner a lot, too.
As much as anything can.
Edit: I thought I'd phoned pretty much everywhere looking for meds - but I guess I just never called Petcetera as the only location given is waaaaaay across town so the name never stuck - that and I tend to avoid big chains and go, if possible, to smaller, family-owned.
Turns out three locations here, so - assuming he's hanging in there tomorrow, and there's been no definite improvement from the Maroxy - I can hopefully get something else to try.
THANKS!!!!!!!!
Syphoniera
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Hi, Jessica,
hoping you'll check in soon and tell us how he's doing.
If nothing else, at least we can act as a support group and give a sympathetic ear, in a world where so many odd people have no idea why we're so concerned about pet fish.
hoping you'll check in soon and tell us how he's doing.
If nothing else, at least we can act as a support group and give a sympathetic ear, in a world where so many odd people have no idea why we're so concerned about pet fish.
Hey, sorry it took me so long to update. My manager forgot the fungus stuff on Saturday but she'll bring some in this week. So I've been treating with Jungle Fungus Clear. He darkened up and lost his stress lines on me again, which I was happy about. But then this morning hes starting to loose colour again and there's been a couple little dark patches on his anal fin the past two days, though they seem to be staying little, no growing, not falling of...Not getting better either He looks to have some new growth on his caudal fin though. Fingers crossed for poor Galileo!
He looks to have some new growth on his caudal fin though. Fingers crossed for poor Galileo!Syphoniera
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Good luck!
I figured I might as well give the Maroxy a go, which seemed to do a little good, but not much.
Slowed it down on Graffitti and actually reduced some of the black on my Harley's fins, but my betta girl's fins actually look a lot worse, which I hope is due to a 'worse before better' thing as she'd improved so much all round since I got her.
Anyway, since the fifth day of treatment was today, will be going to Petcetera to see what I can find.
I figured I might as well give the Maroxy a go, which seemed to do a little good, but not much.
Slowed it down on Graffitti and actually reduced some of the black on my Harley's fins, but my betta girl's fins actually look a lot worse, which I hope is due to a 'worse before better' thing as she'd improved so much all round since I got her.
Anyway, since the fifth day of treatment was today, will be going to Petcetera to see what I can find.
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