help, my friend's betta is rotting
help, my friend's betta is rotting
It's about 4 years old, I think, and it's got some rot near the tail. It's somehow managed to build back enough strength to swim, so it's not a case of dead muscles or tissue. They've just set up a filtered tank, but the family's going through a tough time financially - they've had to move in with their parents/grandparents after selling their house. I'm happy to chip in up to $50 to help the fish out. The thing is, I've only ever had a betta, and that was a while back, so I'm not really sure what to do. Any advice would be a big help - I can try to get a photo later if that's useful.
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Burgermuncher - Posts: 43
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Re: help, my friend's betta is rotting
It's been a while since this post was up, and I'm not surprised since we're missing a picture - it's tough to give advice without one. I'm no expert on bettas, but I do know that keeping the tank clean is crucial. I'd focus on that first, and then maybe consider a salt treatment for the fin rot, but I'd rather someone with more experience chimes in on that.
I'm not sure how long bettas typically live, but from my limited experience, 4-5 years seems about right, so this little guy might be nearing the end of his life.
My advice would be to start with a clean, well-maintained tank and go from there - it shouldn't break the bank.
I'm not sure how long bettas typically live, but from my limited experience, 4-5 years seems about right, so this little guy might be nearing the end of his life.
My advice would be to start with a clean, well-maintained tank and go from there - it shouldn't break the bank.
Re: help, my friend's betta is rotting
To start tackling this fin rot issue, I think it's crucial to get a grasp on the water parameters. Typically, that's the first line of defense. Do they have access to a freshwater test kit? What's the tank size, if you don't mind me asking?Breezey wrote: ↑Tue Jan 07, 2025 11:47 pm It's about 4 years old, I think, and it's got some rot near the tail. It's somehow managed to build back enough strength to swim, so it's not a case of dead muscles or tissue. They've just set up a filtered tank, but the family's going through a tough time financially - they've had to move in with their parents/grandparents after selling their house. I'm happy to chip in up to $50 to help the fish out. The thing is, I've only ever had a betta, and that was a while back, so I'm not really sure what to do. Any advice would be a big help - I can try to get a photo later if that's useful.
Re: help, my friend's betta is rotting
First things first, get some pictures of the sick fish so we can see what's going on.
Next, test the water for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH. I want to see the numbers, so post the results here.
Now, grab a clean fish sponge and wipe down the inside of the glass. This will get rid of all the biofilm that's built up, which is probably harboring all sorts of bacteria and other nasty stuff.
For the next week, do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate every day. This will help get rid of all the disease organisms in the water and give the fish a cleaner environment to recover in. Just make sure any new water you add is free of chlorine and chloramine.
If the filter's due for a clean, now's the time to do it. Just make sure you wash the filter materials in a bucket of tank water and re-use the media. Don't clean the filter if it's less than 6 weeks old, though.
Increase the surface turbulence and aeration to get more oxygen in the water.
Now, about the salt. You can use rock salt, swimming pool salt, or any non-iodized salt. Just add one heaped tablespoon per 20 liters of water. If there's no improvement after 48 hours, you can double the dose. Just don't keep the salt in the tank for more than 4 weeks, or you risk causing kidney damage.
When you do add salt, dissolve it in a small bucket of tank water first, then slowly pour it into the tank near the filter outlet. Add it over a couple of minutes to minimize stress on the fish.
After you've used salt and the fish have recovered, do a 10% water change each day for a week using only fresh, dechlorinated water. Then do a 20% water change each day for a week. This will help dilute the salt out of the tank slowly and safely.
Next, test the water for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH. I want to see the numbers, so post the results here.
Now, grab a clean fish sponge and wipe down the inside of the glass. This will get rid of all the biofilm that's built up, which is probably harboring all sorts of bacteria and other nasty stuff.
For the next week, do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate every day. This will help get rid of all the disease organisms in the water and give the fish a cleaner environment to recover in. Just make sure any new water you add is free of chlorine and chloramine.
If the filter's due for a clean, now's the time to do it. Just make sure you wash the filter materials in a bucket of tank water and re-use the media. Don't clean the filter if it's less than 6 weeks old, though.
Increase the surface turbulence and aeration to get more oxygen in the water.
Now, about the salt. You can use rock salt, swimming pool salt, or any non-iodized salt. Just add one heaped tablespoon per 20 liters of water. If there's no improvement after 48 hours, you can double the dose. Just don't keep the salt in the tank for more than 4 weeks, or you risk causing kidney damage.
When you do add salt, dissolve it in a small bucket of tank water first, then slowly pour it into the tank near the filter outlet. Add it over a couple of minutes to minimize stress on the fish.
After you've used salt and the fish have recovered, do a 10% water change each day for a week using only fresh, dechlorinated water. Then do a 20% water change each day for a week. This will help dilute the salt out of the tank slowly and safely.
Re: help, my friend's betta is rotting
The first line of defense against rot type diseases is changing the water - it's essential to do this as soon as possible. I'm not saying test kits aren't useful, but let's focus on the water change first. Reducing ammonia levels is crucial, so don't just read about it, take action. This infection won't magically disappear on its own, and I strongly advise against paying anyone for treatment.
Now, I want to share an old-school remedy that worked for me twice when I helped a friend rescue distressed store Bettas. You can try using betadine, a topical antiseptic that stains things red due to its iodine content. It was originally used to paint human skin before surgery, but I've found it effective for fish as well. I had to ask a pharmacist for my last bottle, which a vet had suggested for an injured turtle, and it cost me $18 in Canada.
To use betadine, set up a way to absorb the red stain, like paper towels or old towels. Net the fish and hold it over the table, then carefully drip a couple of drops of betadine directly onto the rot, avoiding the gills and eyes. Immediately drop the fish back into a tank with clean water. You might want to wear neoprene gloves to avoid staining your fingers.
This remedy is based on an old fish book written by a doctor who used iodine, back when antibiotics weren't available. Since I couldn't buy antibiotics where I am, I've had to rely on old methods, and this one has worked for me in the past. If the infection is too advanced, it might not be effective, but I've successfully cleared fungus off two of my friend's betta projects using this method.
Now, I want to share an old-school remedy that worked for me twice when I helped a friend rescue distressed store Bettas. You can try using betadine, a topical antiseptic that stains things red due to its iodine content. It was originally used to paint human skin before surgery, but I've found it effective for fish as well. I had to ask a pharmacist for my last bottle, which a vet had suggested for an injured turtle, and it cost me $18 in Canada.
To use betadine, set up a way to absorb the red stain, like paper towels or old towels. Net the fish and hold it over the table, then carefully drip a couple of drops of betadine directly onto the rot, avoiding the gills and eyes. Immediately drop the fish back into a tank with clean water. You might want to wear neoprene gloves to avoid staining your fingers.
This remedy is based on an old fish book written by a doctor who used iodine, back when antibiotics weren't available. Since I couldn't buy antibiotics where I am, I've had to rely on old methods, and this one has worked for me in the past. If the infection is too advanced, it might not be effective, but I've successfully cleared fungus off two of my friend's betta projects using this method.
Re: help, my friend's betta is rotting
I'll send her the link to this thread so she can see all the advice you've given.
Re: help, my friend's betta is rotting
I finally managed to get a photo of the fish. It's actually quite impressive that it had the strength to swim up to her hand from the bottom of the tank. The photo shows the rot near the tail pretty clearly. Does anyone have any thoughts on what to do next?
Re: help, my friend's betta is rotting
Honestly, I think this betta's time is running out, regardless of what we do. I wouldn't recommend spending $50 on it, but I do think we should try to help it out. Cleaning the water and adding a bit of salt for the fin rot would be a good start. More importantly, we should help the owners learn how to properly care for their fish so this doesn't happen again in the future.
Re: help, my friend's betta is rotting
I'll pass this thread along to them, they also have another betta around the same age that's doing alright.
Re: help, my friend's betta is rotting
I got a photo, and I'm glad I can finally share it with you all. Her fish had to swim from the bottom of the tank into her hand, which shows it still has some strength left. The photo isn't great, but I think it gives a good idea of the infection.
From what I can see, it's a pretty bad infection, but I'm hoping it might still have a chance if we treat it right. I'm no expert, but I'd probably try treating it for a fungal infection if it were my fish.
I think it's worth noting that bettas aren't usually prone to diseases if they're kept in a decent-sized tank with proper filtration and substrate. I've heard that live plants can also help keep the water healthy, which is beneficial for the fish. If the plants aren't growing, it might be a sign that the pH and GH are too high, which could be causing problems for the betta.
From what I can see, it's a pretty bad infection, but I'm hoping it might still have a chance if we treat it right. I'm no expert, but I'd probably try treating it for a fungal infection if it were my fish.
I think it's worth noting that bettas aren't usually prone to diseases if they're kept in a decent-sized tank with proper filtration and substrate. I've heard that live plants can also help keep the water healthy, which is beneficial for the fish. If the plants aren't growing, it might be a sign that the pH and GH are too high, which could be causing problems for the betta.
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