He was very lethargic and I can't believe he even survived THAT high ammonia. (obv tested from his bag) My tank parameters are ammonia 0/nitrites 0/nitrates 5. His poor tail and fins are so clamped up. I've added indian almond leaves and just hoping he'll feel better soon. At least he seems interested in the mystery snail… and wood… and plants. He's very inquisitive.
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1sdufb8
Posted by garden_of_irises
3 Comments
Use rock salt
I shit myself thinking that ammonia was the current tank
As of right now you can only wait unless you have supplies on hand.
Poor guy 🙁 terminator !
Get Seachem Prime (most pet stores carry it, also on Amazon). It’s not just a dechlorinator — it actually locks up the ammonia in the water so it can’t hurt him while you get things under control. Dose the full tank volume, not just the water you’re adding. You can redose every 48 hours.
Add aquarium salt — 1 teaspoon per gallon, but dissolve it in a cup of tank water first before pouring it in. This helps his body cope with the stress, protects against infection, and helps his fins heal. Don’t use table salt, it has to be aquarium salt.
The clamped fins: That means he’s in pain and stressed. Don’t tap the glass, keep lights dim, and skip feeding for 1-2 days. His digestion shuts down when he’s this sick and uneaten food will just make the water worse.
Test your water every 12 hours if you have a test kit. Ammonia should be 0 ppm. If it spikes again, do another 30-50% water change immediately.
Watch for these warning signs over the next 3 days:
∙ White or gray fuzzy patches = fungal infection, needs antifungal medication
∙ Red streaks running through his fins = bacterial infection, get Kanaplex
∙ Tiny white dots all over his body = ich, needs ich treatment like Ich-X
If he develops any of those, don’t wait.
Kanaplex and Ich-X are both available at Petco, PetSmart, or online.
Most bettas pull through if the water gets cleaned up fast. Get rest spots for it let it heal. Keep at it. 🐟
Edit: seems like your tank is cycling or cycled. Seachem and stability with every water change.