Who Gives A Fish Forums

Hi,
I recently got my betta and set him up in a tank that had been running for a few days.
The tank had been conditioned and the filter and heater were on for 3 days before I introduced him.
I've been keeping an eye on the temperature and it's been steady between 25-27 degrees Celsius.
I checked on him today and noticed his tail is frayed, which is making me worry it might be fin rot.
The tank is pretty bare, just a silk plant that he seems to like hiding in, but he also enjoys sitting on top of the filter.

He's a really nice-looking betta. What's the tank size and does he have any tank mates? I'm not too familiar with fin rot, but I think it's usually from poor water quality or stress. Stress can weaken a fish's immune system and make it easier for infections to set in. His fins do look a bit rough, though. Were they like that when you got him? If it is fin rot, I'd do 50% daily water changes to keep the water clean.

Hi, thanks for the response.
I'm a bit unsure about his fins now - were they always like that or did the fin rot start at the pet store? The tank is 8 gallons and the heater's been keeping the temperature around 25C.

flavor wrote: ↑Wed Dec 18, 2024 3:37 am Hi,
I recently got my betta and set him up in a tank that had been running for a few days.
The tank had been conditioned and the filter and heater were on for 3 days before I introduced him.
I've been keeping an eye on the temperature and it's been steady between 25-27 degrees Celsius.
I checked on him today and noticed his tail is frayed, which is making me worry it might be fin rot.
The tank is pretty bare, just a silk plant that he seems to like hiding in, but he also enjoys sitting on top of the filter.

I was just wondering, was he sharing a tank with other fish at the pet store? Maybe there were some sharp decorations in there that could've caused it. Your 8-gallon tank must be a big upgrade for him though, he's probably loving all the space.

flavor wrote: ↑Wed Dec 18, 2024 3:37 am Hi,
I recently got my betta and set him up in a tank that had been running for a few days.
The tank had been conditioned and the filter and heater were on for 3 days before I introduced him.
I've been keeping an eye on the temperature and it's been steady between 25-27 degrees Celsius.
I checked on him today and noticed his tail is frayed, which is making me worry it might be fin rot.
The tank is pretty bare, just a silk plant that he seems to like hiding in, but he also enjoys sitting on top of the filter.

Since you've only had the betta for a couple of days, ammonia isn't likely the culprit behind the fin rot, but I do need to ask - are you testing the water daily for ammonia and nitrite levels? If these levels start to build up, it'll only exacerbate the fin rot.

I'm asking because your tank was only set up three days before introducing the betta, so it's not fully cycled. Cycling a tank takes time - around seven weeks - and involves adding ammonia to grow two colonies of beneficial bacteria that break down fish waste.

What you're doing now is a fish-in cycle, which means you need to test the water daily and perform a large water change whenever ammonia or nitrite levels rise above zero. This is crucial, especially since your betta already has a damaged tail and poor water quality will hinder the healing process.

Adding some live plants, especially floating ones, will really help your betta. Even just a few stems of elodea or anacharis left to float on the surface will make a big difference.

Your betta is lovely, by the way. I'd strongly advise investing in an API Master Test kit to monitor your water parameters closely. Regular testing for Ammonia and Nitrite is crucial, and I'd recommend doing a substantial water change whenever these levels exceed zero. In terms of tank decor, I think it's a good idea to introduce some live plants, such as frogbit or java fern, to get you started. These will not only help purify the water but also provide your betta with a more natural environment.