Causes of fin rot in aquarium fish

[luxion]

My poor betta's been struggling for 2 weeks now. I initially thought it was fin rot, so I tried Melafix for 7 days - big mistake, it's gotten way worse! The edges of his fins are all torn-looking, no white edges or inflammation in sight. I'm wondering if the terrac house in the pool could be causing the damage to his dorsal and upper caudal fins? He's also got a large tumor on his tail, which I'm not sure is contributing to the issue. I've checked the usual parameters - temp, ph, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates - but I'm clearly missing something. Any ideas?

[rockyfox]

If there's a tumor, it could be cancerous - that's a real worry. Using salt at a ratio of 2 tablespoons per 5 gallons might help heal some of it, but I'm not sure what to do if it's cancer. I'd suggest making sure to use a salt with no additives, not your average table salt. I personally keep API brand salt on hand, it's a good one to have around.

[brayk]

When it comes to treating fin issues in bettas, I'd advise against using Melafix. Instead, opt for Bettafix - it's a safer alternative that's specifically designed for bettas, with the harmful components removed.

[rockyfox]

When it comes to treating fin issues in bettas, I'd advise against using Melafix. Instead, opt for Bettafix - it's a safer alternative that's specifically designed for bettas, with the harmful components removed.

I'm not a fan of meds, even bettafix. They can all be pretty harsh and cause more problems down the line. I'd say only break them out as a last resort.

[sSjey]

Bettafix is essentially a watered-down version of Melafix, which makes sense given that most people keep their bettas in small tanks - the diluted solution just makes it easier to administer the right dose.

[starwea]

I'm at a loss with my betta, Loki. I took a water sample to the pet store and they tested it, saying everything looks perfect. The thing is, he's not eating much except for Live Brine - occasionally he'll have some frozen brine, but that's about it. I showed the pet store staff a picture of Loki and the white dots on his face, and they claimed it's not Ich. I did notice, though, that some of the fish they had on display had similar white dots on their faces, so I pointed that out to them - maybe they should keep an eye on it. Anyway, when I woke up today, I was shocked to see his fins completely torn and missing in some spots. There's hardly anything in his tank that could be causing this - just two decorations and some real plants - I'm stumped.

[starwea]

I'm really sorry about all the pictures, they're out of order which is frustrating. The first two pictures were taken about a month after I got him - I was keeping an eye on these white dots on his nose, I even circled one of them in a picture. At the time, I also noticed his fins were changing colors and it looked like he was scratching them. My first thought was that he had Ich and was accidentally hurting himself on this fake log in the tank that had sharp edges, it was a hiding spot for him. I removed the log and rearranged the tank. The next two pictures are of how I found him today - he looks awful, his fins are broken and look like they're falling off, and he doesn't have his usual energy. He just lays on the bottom of the tank on his side, sometimes he looks dead. I don't think he's just sleeping because he usually sleeps in this little cave I made for him, it's that little cup. The last picture is from the first day I brought him home, he looked healthy then, or at least I thought he did.

[Tigger]

It seems like a severe bacterial infection took hold. Regular water changes and maintaining the right temperature could have helped prevent this. Flour treatment might be beneficial for mild fin rot, but this case appears quite severe. There are products available to treat bacterial infections, although I haven't personally used any, so I can't provide specific recommendations.

[starwea]

I really appreciate all your input, it's been super helpful. I was kinda thinking it might be fin rot or something similar, but I've been learning so much from this little guy - he's definitely putting me through the wringer. He's a fighter, but honestly, it's not looking great for him right now and it's breaking my heart. I feel terrible about it. The water temperature is perfect, right within the range for betta fish, and I just had the water checked at the pet store - they even gave me the paperwork, and it's better than when I first got him. I'm stumped, I have no idea what's causing this. I think he's just teaching me a lesson - showing me how much you can love a tiny little fish that doesn't talk or argue with you, but still manages to capture your heart.

[Tigger]

When you're doing water tests, it's essential to remember that you're not actually testing for bacteria in the water. Bacterial infections can be sneaky like that, and regular testing might not catch them. However, there's a way to manage these infections - by doing regular and frequent water changes. It's crucial to keep the water clean and fresh to prevent the bacteria from thriving. If you're successful in treating this infection, you'll need to keep up with the water changes to prevent the same issue from happening again.