Who Gives A Fish Forums

oceanrider wrote: ↑Mon Jul 04, 2022 4:11 pm I agree that spiky plants can be a hazard, my sibling's Betta had them and I'm pretty sure it damaged its fins. I think it's a good idea to replace them with plants that have softer edges, like live plants or floating plants, to prevent any further damage to your Betta's fins.

I've checked my silk plants with the panty hose test and they're fine, but I appreciate the concern. As a total newbie to fish-keeping and aquariums, I'm being cautious - I've heard small tanks can get out of balance quickly, so I'm not rushing into live plants just yet. I'll introduce a couple of plants slowly once my Betta and the tank are more established.

wildflora wrote: ↑Sun Jul 03, 2022 7:42 am I recently adopted a Betta from PetSmart and I'm absolutely loving him - the experience of having one at the office really drew me in. He seems super healthy and happy, even building a bubble nest within two days of being in his new home.

I do have some concerns about his fins, though. The cup said he's a Half Moon Betta, but his top fin doesn't quite match the pictures I've seen. I'm wondering if this is because he's a mix or if it's due to fin damage. Any thoughts on whether it'll heal or if this is just his natural look? If it is damaged, is there anything I can do to help the healing process? He's currently in a 3.5 gallon tank with a heater and filter.

The issue with test strips is they don't give you the full picture, specifically when it comes to ammonia. I'd strongly recommend getting an ammonia tester as soon as you can. In the meantime, I'd suggest doing a 50% water change daily - it's always better to err on the side of caution.

For those who may not be aware, ammonia is usually the first parameter to spike in an uncycled tank. It takes a few weeks for nitrite to show up, so don't be surprised if your test strips aren't picking up on it yet.

If you're interested in learning more about the cycling process, I came across a thread on fishless cycling that explains what happens during the cycle of both fishless and fish-in cycling.

As for your betta's fin, is it getting worse or staying the same? If it's fin rot, the fin will deteriorate over time. However, if it's staying the same, it's possible that it's just the way he is.

I don't think the plants caused the issue with his top fin, it seems pretty smooth and natural. The purple one at the bottom might be a concern, but it's unlikely since it would probably affect his bottom fin more. If it was fin rot, I'd expect to see some damage to his other fins too. I think he might just be a unique betta, maybe his fin is just naturally shaped that way.

I've had instances where fish develop fin rot on a single fin, like the tail, and it doesn't affect the others. In my experience, this usually clears up quickly, and I've even seen it regrow overnight in some cases.