Who Gives A Fish Forums

This morning I got up, headed downstairs to feed my betta, and noticed something off about his fins. They look a little different (see picture). I'm worried it might be fin rot - is that what this is? If so, what's the next step I should take?

I'm not seeing the classic signs of fin rot in that picture, it seems more like the fins are just a bit tattered. Are there any sharp decorations or plastic plants in the tank that could be causing this? What's the filter flow like - is it pretty strong? And how long have you had this betta, is he a new addition?

kingrise wrote: ↑Mon Jan 20, 2025 1:49 pm I'm not seeing the classic signs of fin rot in that picture, it seems more like the fins are just a bit tattered. Are there any sharp decorations or plastic plants in the tank that could be causing this? What's the filter flow like - is it pretty strong? And how long have you had this betta, is he a new addition?

I've got a plastic plant in the tank, he likes to snooze in it. I did turn the filter flow down, I'd read bettas prefer it that way. I've had him for about a month now.

I'd agree with kingrise, those fins appear tattered rather than showing signs of fin rot. The filter's likely the culprit here. What's the intake setup like on that filter of yours?

Daily water changes will be key in helping those fins heal quickly. I'd recommend doing large ones, 70%+ daily for at least a week or until you see some improvement.

kingrise wrote: ↑Mon Jan 20, 2025 1:49 pm I'm not seeing the classic signs of fin rot in that picture, it seems more like the fins are just a bit tattered. Are there any sharp decorations or plastic plants in the tank that could be causing this? What's the filter flow like - is it pretty strong? And how long have you had this betta, is he a new addition?

I'm gonna start doing those daily water changes today, thanks for the advice. The filter flow isn't too strong, so I don't think that's the issue. Would using aquarium salt help with his fin growth too?

shorewalker wrote: ↑Mon Jan 20, 2025 12:28 pm This morning I got up, headed downstairs to feed my betta, and noticed something off about his fins. They look a little different (see picture). I'm worried it might be fin rot - is that what this is? If so, what's the next step I should take?

Aquarium salt might help prevent infection, but I'm not sure it's necessary in this case. Your betta's fins don't look that bad, so it might be overkill. You can use it if you want, but I personally wouldn't bother.

I'm inclined to agree, we can't see the before picture, but his fins seem fine to me. A quick online search for male Betta images will show you plenty with similar finnage. In my opinion, adding chemicals like aquarium salt is unnecessary unless there's a clear issue that needs fixing. These can stress your fish, and I'd advise against using them unless absolutely necessary. Same goes for large water changes - they can be stressful too. I think your tank looks like a great size for a single Betta. If it's established and your water parameters are good, I'd stick to 10% weekly changes, using a gravel cleaner to keep things tidy.