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My betta's got some white fuzz on his fins, looks like fungus. Tank's a 5-gallon, heated to 78, filtered with a sponge. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Been doing weekly 25% changes. What's the best treatment without messing with the cycle?

koralux wrote: ↑Fri Aug 01, 2025 9:44 am My betta's got some white fuzz on his fins, looks like fungus. Tank's a 5-gallon, heated to 78, filtered with a sponge. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Been doing weekly 25% changes. What's the best treatment without messing with the cycle?

I'd start with aquarium salt, 1 tsp per gallon. It's gentle and won't crash your cycle. Also, bump the temp to 80-82 if your heater can handle it. Fungus hates warmth. Keep an eye on his behavior—if he's still eating and active, that's a good sign.

Oh no, poor little guy! Fungal infections can be so stressful for them. I've had success with Indian almond leaves—they release tannins that help with healing. Just drop one in and let it steep. It'll tint the water a bit, but that's normal. Sending good vibes your way!

Yep, salt's a solid first step. If it doesn't cut it after a few days, try malachite green. Just dose carefully—bettas are sensitive. Also, check your filter flow. Too strong can stress 'em out, making infections worse. What's your substrate? Sometimes gunk builds up and causes issues.

Bloomax wrote: ↑Fri Aug 01, 2025 11:10 am

koralux wrote: ↑Fri Aug 01, 2025 9:44 am My betta's got some white fuzz on his fins, looks like fungus. Tank's a 5-gallon, heated to 78, filtered with a sponge. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Been doing weekly 25% changes. What's the best treatment without messing with the cycle?

I'd start with aquarium salt, 1 tsp per gallon. It's gentle and won't crash your cycle. Also, bump the temp to 80-82 if your heater can handle it. Fungus hates warmth. Keep an eye on his behavior—if he's still eating and active, that's a good sign.

Totally agree with the salt and temp bump. I'd also add a daily water change, like 10%, to keep things extra clean. What're you feeding him? A varied diet boosts immunity. Try some frozen brine shrimp if you're not already.

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Gonna try the salt and temp bump first. Substrate's sand, and I vacuum it weekly. He's on pellets but I'll grab some brine shrimp too. Appreciate the help!

Sand's good—just make sure you're stirring it gently during water changes. Dead spots can harbor nasties. Let us know how he does with the salt. If you need to escalate to meds, we can walk you through it.

How's your little one today? Sometimes just the extra care and clean water can turn things around fast. Don't forget to dim the lights a bit too—less stress, more healing.

oceanix7 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 01, 2025 6:58 pm How's your little one today? Sometimes just the extra care and clean water can turn things around fast. Don't forget to dim the lights a bit too—less stress, more healing.

Lights are a good call. Also, if you're using any meds later, remove carbon from your filter. It'll soak up the meds before they can work.

Yeah, carbon's a sneaky one. Almost forgot about that. Keep us posted, koralux. We're all rooting for your fish!