So I’ve had this 10 gallon tank and fish for around a month or so and I’m starting to notice some changes with my fish. He seems like he’s healthy, energetically swimming, flaring if I’m late to feed him, he’s getting bigger and more colorful (he was white when I got him) and I even found a bubble nest in the corner of my tank. I feed him 4-6 betta Pellets daily and picked up some blood worms today.
However I’m running into some issues with how ragged his tail is starting to look. I’m worried that it’s fin rot but he also attaches himself to the tank filter and swims around it a lot.
I tested the water parameters after 3 weeks without a water change (the tank was not cycled before i got the fish, the pet store person said it would be fine) and the parameters were:
Ammonia:0.25 ppm
Ph: 7
Nitrites: in between 0 and 0.25 ppm
Nitrates: 5ppm
50w heater at 73 degrees
I bought a 100w aquarion heater but that also only got up to 73 so now I have both of them in the tank in hopes the temperature will rise
I did a 50% water change and will test again tomorrow. I have a few live plants, and some pothos roots, along with driftwood and a coconut moss cave, nothing is sharp. I also have 4 snails that he ignores unless they get close to the nest. I could really use the help thank you
https://v.redd.it/bdn30xu4fyjg1
Posted by Hopeful_Historian685
5 Comments
So ammonia and nitrites are supposed to be 0ppm, if they aren’t 0 that means that you don’t have enough bacteria converting them into nitrates. How long did you cycle the tank before adding the fish? If you only have had it a month that leads me to believe that you put the fish in when you started the tank. This is bad and please never do it again, but it also Just means you need to be acting like it’s a fish in cycle instead. Adding seachem prime is essential to dechlorinate the water, you’ll have to add it everyday until the cycle is complete to keep the fish safe. Second thing is 73 degrees is FAR farrrrr too low for betta fish. They need 78-82 degrees. 80 degrees is ideal. look into adjustable temp heaters with a single round cord to prevent leaks, and get a thermometer to check the temp regularly. Look up “fish in nitrogen cycle” and proceed from there. The fish likely has fin rot although it’s hard to see, or he’s nipping at them from the stressful conditions. I hope this isn’t coming off rude. You also need more plants to absorb the nitrates, however it’s just one fish. To treat the fin rot use kanaplex, but make sure it’s fin rot by doing thorough research first. And at this point it wouldn’t kill you to separate the fish into a sterile empty hospital tank (with sponge filter and heater and air stone) and let him soak in a salt bath. Make sure to do research into aquarium salt and how much to use. This looks reversible with proper care, but if it worsens you can go as far as to try “methylene blue soaks or dips” dip method is tricker and can be bad for the fish if not done with proper dosing, so a less concentrated bath is better. I hope this gives you a good place to start, good luck
Oh, man. I had this same problem happen to me. I was nearly gonna get rid of that fish, I tell you!
So yes, this is indeed finrot. For a lot of sensitive fish, it seems to be common whenever there’s a big change in habitat and other sort of things as well.
What can you do? I would really recommend a salt bath. This will help him heal and curve the edges. If the fins become irritated, fuzzy, slimy, etc, *then* you can treat with an antibiotic. But otherwise, give him some time! He’s eating and behaving normally, so there should not be too much issue.
Before anything, though, I would recommend turning up that heater. That temperature is pretty cold for him! The heat will also accelerate the healing process. I would recommend around 76 as a goal.
Best wishes for your fishes! =D
I frequently find my boy with his tail thoroughly glued to the filter inlet. It freaks me out every time.
He hates….absolutely hates, when I put my finger on the glass. Not tap just put a finger on the glass, freaks him the hell out. So whenever I see him pasted to the filter intake I put my finger on the glass and he zooms away in a hurry. He has never failed to unstick himself, so I don’t think he is in any danger. I am sure he does this all the time when I am not around.
Looks to me like fin nipping due to stress. Could be a few things like poor water quality. Did you cycle your tank? I wouldn’t trust the testing at pet stores as they use strips which aren’t as accurate as a liquid test kit. I would get an API fresh water test kit and use that. Also it’s hard to tell from the video but is there a filter in the tank?
73 is pretty cold for a betta as they are tropical fish, I would bump up your heater to 80 degrees to help boost his immune system so his nipping doesn’t turn into fin rot.
He could also be stressed if he sees his reflection in the tank. It seems pretty open so he may think he’s seeing another fish in the tank. Tall plants and dim lights might help.
My other concern is that your ammonia is high due to a large bio load. Nerite snails have a very high bioload and it’s recommended that one nerite per 5 gallons. That may be why your ammonia is high. I would suggest removing two of the into another tank or rehoming them. I would also get some Seachem prime to use as conditioner as it will help neutralize ammonia
Get some seachem prime in the tank to alleviate his stress.
Bettas like low light so some floating plants really help. If you can, also try to cover the sides of the tank. Bettas like to fight their own reflection and it stresses them out.
It’s hard to lock in what’s causing stress with your fish when you have multiple variables off but fix one at a time.
Ammonia treatment, nitrite treatment and heat are top priorities rn so go get that seachem prime and stay on top of water changes. Make sure water you add back is also heated up and treated properly with dechlorinator or you also risk shocking the fish