I’ve had my betta for about 18 months now. He’s been battling fin rot on and off for almost 10 months now. I’ve tried everything – various antibiotics, salt dips, daily water changes, etc. Parameters are perfect, 5 gal tank, filter, real plants, timed light, etc. His tail rotted almost totally off but then stopped and he has been getting around fine despite it. About a month ago he developed the tumor on his lower fins, now it seems like there’s another one growing on his upper fins. I decided to stop the fin rot treatments (besides water changes) and just see if the fins grow back. The treatments were making him completely stressed out. I read online that the tumor is benign. In the last few weeks he spends most of his time in his tube near the surface. But I’ve seen him spend hours, not moving, laying on the bottom. He is extremely skittish and his movements are erratic and sudden. Unless I put the food right in front of him, he can’t find it however he eats 10 pellets twice per day excitedly. Today I noticed he was laying on his side, breathing hard, and didn’t move until I touched him with a root and then barely moved an inch. I decided to euthanize, bought some clove oil… then came back from the store and he’s back to the skittish/aggressive but active status. So I don’t know…. seems like his status has not improved since stopping treatments… but he’s also not totally inactive or not eating.
https://i.redd.it/z7y4lklkczuf1.jpeg
Posted by IndifferentPatella
7 Comments
I’m so sorry. I have no advice, but I sure feel for you. Sounds like you have done everything possible to give him a good life.
coming from a vet tech, the kindest thing you can do for him is euthanasia🤍😔
Honestly, it is a question of whether or not you are prepared to keep on going or not. There is no wrong answer here.
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(Word of advice though as euthanising with clove oil takes time and they might panic etc which you might find traumatic.. the fastest/most instant way to euthanise a small fish is with a flick to the head.)
I just went through this. I was about to euthanize when he perked up….and then he went downhill fast and died suffering before I could euthanize since I hesitated. He was in a similar condition with torn up fins and a tumor. I wish I had let him go peacefully
I would say, do not turn the light on because the light adds to make algae in your tank and can also give your beta fin rot.Which I can see you definitely have a lot of Fin rot on him already. if I were you, I would not use that light anymore. You can try API the powder that worked for my fish and his fins are finally growing back. It’s called Finn and body care by API or AIP.
I also would try to feed him less 10 pill pellets twice a day is an awful lot! Your fish is gonna get constipated if you feed him that much. Especially if you’re only feeding him pellets maybe you should get him some frozen shrimp from Petco
Sending you so much love and support