Hi. It's me again. With more questions about Bruce and what's the best way to take care of him.
So we've had him for about 2 months, he was a gift for my son's birthday, along with the tank he's currently in. The tank is only 1.5 gallons, and we know it's woefully undersized. We have a 20 gallon tank that will be his forever home. That tank was set up about a week ago, and is currently cycling. The only living thing in it (aside from plants) is a great pond snail. Because the snail is there, I do daily water checks and 10-20% water changes every few days.
I suspect Bruce has fin rot and he definitely had it when we got him, I just didn't know what it was. I think it's gotten better since we've had him, but I don't actually know because I don't know what "better" is supposed to look like. One of his ventral fins was all curled up and raggedy when we got him, and his tail fin has always looked kinda torn up like that. I ordered some Bettafix to treat it, and picked up some Indian almond leaves and put a few in because I'd read that could help. He's still pretty curious and eats well and swims around and explores, so I don't THINK he's super ill…. but again, I don't know for sure. That's why I'm here.
So in addition to the almond leaves, daily water changes, and medicine, is there anything else I can do for him? And would it be better/safer to keep him where he is for the next few weeks while the bigger tank cycles, or move him into the 20 gallon and continue forward with a fish in cycle?
Both tanks have a heater. The small tank has a Tetra Whisper filter with a biobag, and the 20 gallon has a TopFin CN20 that I converted into a sponge filter. The last picture is the test strips of both tanks. The strips on the left are from Bruce's current space (0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, about 20 nitrate) and the two on the right are the 20 gallon (5 ammonia, 1-2 nitrite, less than 10 nitrate). I know the ammonia is bad for him, but I don't know if it's worse or better than having him in the little tiny tank. It's too little for the aquarium vacuum I have to be effective or unobtrusive, so I have concerns about too much buildup in the substrate. But maybe I'm just over thinking things. Again. 😬
Anyway, advice would be appreciated. I just wanna do right by the little guy.
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1ojh2ce
Posted by Terrible-Doubt-6492
1 Comment
I believe it’d be best to move him to the 20 gallon to do a fish in cycle because it already seems like you’re doing that with the snail. My guess is the 1 gallon also isn’t cycled fully (although it is looking good)so if that is the case I’d move him to the 20 gallon (make sure to temp acclimate him and drip acclimate him). But if you are going to add Bruce to do a fish in cycle it is likely you’ll have to do water changes every day (whenever you see ammonia).
I’d also recommend getting a API liquid testing kit because it’s much more accurate and (in my experience) lasts quite a long time. Another product I’d get is seachem stability to reduce ammonia (adds beneficial bacteria).
It’s also good signs that he’s eating and curious. Those are all signs of a healthy betta. I’m sure it’ll only increase when you add him to the 20 gallon. It’s great that you’re doing the research needed to help him! Good luck