I responded to a post on Facebook where someone in a local group was rehoming their betta fish. After seeing the conditions he was living in, I knew I had to take him.
Picked him up today and couldn’t believe how big he is!! He’s huge! And his fins are the longest I’ve ever seen.
Anyways, Ive had bettas in the past, but wouldnt call myself an expert by any means. I suspect he has fin rot. I thought he may have ich too, because I was seeing white spots on him and in the container that he was given to me in, but not seeing them anymore so maybe not.
I currently have him in a 7 gallon (not cycled, as this wasn’t planned) with nothing but a heater and the plant he came with. I only have it filled about a 3rd of the way because he isn’t very active and seems to have some trouble swimming. You can see in the last photo that his back end sinks down when he’s not swimming. Could this be a swim bladder issue? Or is it just because his fins are so long and weighing him down?
I have klanaplex & melafix on hand, but haven’t treated him with anything just yet.
Any suggestions & advice is appreciated! Really hoping to get this guy healthy with a proper set up.
Thanks in advance!
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1q68lu3
Posted by Lazy_Concept_9814
1 Comment
Im so glad you rescued him. Thank you
First-have you declorinated the water? If not, buy a declorinator ASAP. I like seachem prime.
Second- you need to cycle the tank with a fish. I strongly recommend seachem stability. I have done cycles with fish several times with it and have never had a spike.
Buy a filter, a waterfall one should be good for your big boy. It will disrupt the water tension without creating too much current.
With his long fins I would have a fine sand bottom or rounded natural river gravel.
For plants I recommend fast growing floating plants such as frogbit or duckweed. Limnophila sessiliflora, vallisneria spp both grows really fast and can be snipped and replanted/ spreads with shoots. I use tropica specialised nutrition, as I have low fish stock and lots of plants
I would skip all plastic decor due to his large fins
I would also be careful with driftwood due to his fins. Perhaps a small one to attach moss/anubias to. I would personally add tannins to the water, especially if he is stressed/weak.
Best of luck and please, if you have any questions do ask!