Fin Rot???

kchiu03 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2008, 01:02 AM

Can someone please help me find out if my betta has fin rot or not? A couple days ago I noticed that my betta's tail was thinning out on the top, but the bottom half looked normal. Then just this morning I noticed that the entire end of his tail looks shredded. Is this fin rot? And if yes, how can I cure it??

Fivestar68 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-19-2008, 01:29 AM

I dont believe fin rot works that fast. Do you have any other fish in the tank? also there is a medication called Betta Fix by API that targets infections and fin damage. Also they make a Betta Conditioner. Get it at your local pet store. I would do this ASAP!

kchiu03 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-19-2008, 05:38 AM

No I keep my betta in his own tank. Thanks for the advice I'll try it.

Fivestar68 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-19-2008, 06:38 AM

By the way I forgot to ask if you have plastic plants and if so I would get rid of them because the can and will tear your Bettas fins badly.

FishMomma · #5 (**permalink**) 10-19-2008, 02:23 PM

I'm going to have to say something different that "FiveStar" in regards to the speed of fin rot. Yes, fin rot can happen overnight especially with how you are describing it. I have one Betta who is quite old and also my first Betta. He was a little "mut" that I purchased from a local "mom and pop" pet shop who has been sickly his whole life. He has his own 10 gallon tank since he doesn't play very nicely with others and hangs out in our kitchen. I must say, though, that even though he has a lot of problems and requires very delicate care, he is still one of my favorites! He has one of the best personalities of all my Bettas but that might be because he seems to get the most attention.

He can develop fin rot overnight. I'll go to bed and get up the next morning and his caudal fin (the one at the back) will be shredded in a couple areas. I've done a lot of reading and most of the "muts" sold in pet shops don't have great genes because of so much in-breeding and thus many of them seem predisposed to disease and other problems. I clean my tank out once a week at a 30% amount, he has a great filter, live plants, and occasional new decor but it doesn't seem to make any difference on the tail rot.

Having said all that, here are some things I've found that will help. First, keep some AQUARIUM SALT in your tank. Aquarium salt will help your fish increase the slime on his "slime coat" thus giving him more protection against disease and fin rot. I would add 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of water to your tank. (Dissolve it first before adding it to the tank.) **Do remember that salt doesn't evaporate or get filtered out so be careful to not oversalt your fish.

I usually add salt every 3rd or 4th water change to prevent this from happening. Changes in salt concentration are also helpful in keeping any parasitic issues from happening. Be sure to use AQUARIUM SALT and NOT table salt because it contains iodine. Do use the Betafix or Melafix by API which will treat the bacterial infection causing the rot. (Depending on what size tank you have, the Betafix is dosed for tanks smaller than 5 gallons. The Melafix is for larger tanks but still the same med.) These meds are a more natural treatment for diseases like fin/tail rot and won't kill off quite so many of the benficial bacteria. Many times you'll get the common secondary fungal infection at the end of the tail that looks like mini cotton balls. For this, you can use API's companion to the Melafix which is PIMAFIX to treat this. It is also a natural med and works quite nicely.

Also, be sure that you are doing weekly water changes. One of the most common causes of fin rot (other than the genetic issue) is dirty water. Bettas like to lie on the bottom of the tank and drag their tails in all the junk which is what causes the tail rot to occur. Try using a gravel vaccum if you don't already or decreasing the amount of gravel in the tank, too. As for plastic plants, these are not a hazard unless they tear a pair of hose/nylons when you rub them against each other. I have a few plastic plants in my tanks and have never had any problems but they don't have any sharp edges on them, either.

Live plants are another nice option and if you're interested I can give you some guidance on this, too.

Hope all this info helps! Good luck with your fella. Do be sure to treat the rot ASAP, since you DON'T want it to get anywhere near his body. This is quite serious and painful for Bettas. If you treat the tail rot quickly, you should be fine. Again, good luck and let me know if you have any other questions!!