Fin fungus/rot

[stoopid]

My betta has fin fungus/rot, and I treated it with some stuff that turned the water yellow last weekend, but it still appears to be damaged or infected.

Is there a way of telling if the fin is growing back? How do I know when he's cured? Do I treat until all symptoms of rot / fungus are gone?

[stoopid]

Throw me a bone pleez :p

[OrionGirl]

Fin rot is usually the result of poor water conditions, which allow bacteria or parasitic infections to invade the fishes slime coat. Increase the number of water changes you do, and you should see the fins begin to return to their normal color. Re-growth can take a bit longer, depending on the amount of damage done. My betta (who was beat up by another fish) completely healed within about 3-4 weeks, so once the source of his problem is addressed, you should see improvement in about the same time.

[stoopid]

Originally posted by OrionGirl
Fin rot is usually the result of poor water conditions, which allow bacteria or parasitic infections to invade the fishes slime coat. Increase the number of water changes you do, and you should see the fins begin to return to their normal color. Re-growth can take a bit longer, depending on the amount of damage done. My betta (who was beat up by another fish) completely healed within about 3-4 weeks, so once the source of his problem is addressed, you should see improvement in about the same time.

Thanks!

I think he's been sick since I got him from Petco. I've not only increased the water changes but have re-dosed a 'sick jar' I was using to dechlorinate water with a full treatment again and he's going to be quarantined there until Friday.

Now that I know what causes it I will be more aware of the water conditions. :)

[anonapersona]

How often do you change the water? How large is the bowl? In general, more water changes are good for helping fish recover.

Fish fins do heal rapidly. You should see regrowth in a matter of days, but it is hard to see if you look at the fish often, can you take a digital photo? It can be easier to compare the growth with photos.

[anonapersona]

I've seen split fins on a goldfish mend in less than a week, and the cories who had a bacterial problem are visible regrowing after just a few days. I'd guess that each fin has put on about the width of a hair every day, So, in 12 days or so it could be all regrown.

[stoopid]

I perform a 50% water change weekly, it's a 1/2 gallon bowl with polished stone on the bottom (beta paradise :p ). I keep the 50% water sitting out for a week to dechlorinate, and add some Beta Essential for nutrients and to ensure dechlorination.

I think he's had the fungus for a while, since I got him a month+ ago. I tried one set of treatments but it's still icky on that fin. I can't tell if the fin's even damaged because the fungus looks like splattered paint on the fin.

I probably won't bring my digicam into work to take photos, but that wasn't a bad idea.

[stoopid]

Well, did another 3+ days of treatment and the fungus is still there... I'm not sure what else I can do... and it's NOT rotting the fin, but I can't imagine it makes the beta feel good to have one fin heavier than the other.

[fishfood]

If you're sure that it's a fungus, you should be able to find some fungicide at your LFS. I've used a couple of LFS brands before in my tanks when I have some fluffy, white fungus growth on the fish ad it worked well. You normally treat the tank and retreat it a few days later.

Best of luck.

[stoopid]

I was using this Fungus Eliminator (Jungle brand) that claims to kill most fin rot and fungal stuff... but I tried 2 seperate treatments for 3-4 days each and it's still there, going strong.

I'll ask my LFS next time I'm there. It isn't life and death at this moment, but it is frustrating because I know I've done everything I could...

[anonapersona]

often lots of water changes will help.

[stoopid]

Yeah, I keep the water real clean (one beta would have a hard time polluting a 1/2 gallon bowl in a week by themselves... and I change out 50% of that weekly, so water quality can be ruled out...).

It was suggested by my LFS to add a small amount of aquarium salts to force whatever is on him off (aquarium salts help fish shed / renew their slime coat).