New bettas...

frequent water changes will help the bettas fins heal quicker. If you are keeping them in a bowl w/o a filter and heater than I would do several water changes per week.

I would suggest getting a larger tank with a filter for them, but that is up to you.

and yes, all tanks need to cycle, however, if they are in a bowl, there is nothing to cycle since there is no filter or gravel for bacteria to grow on. Water changes are the only way to remove ammonia.

lots of water changes will help greatly

Yep, daily water changes. Cycling is necessary, and every tank needs it. Barebottom, filterless tanks/bowls will cycle too, they just have less area to grow on and will not be as good, needing frequent water changes. The bacteria actually grows on every surface, it's just that filters and substrates give more surface area to grow on, which allows for a more efficient ammonia-to-nitrite-to-nitrate cycle. So, yeah, keep a close eye on those parameters and do lots of water changes.

As for healing, the best thing is clean water, and the prescription for that is more water changes. Some say to add a very weak amount of Bettafix (which is a weaker version of Melafix), but this is a risk since anabantoids like bettas can be hurt by the oils getting into their labyrinth organs and thus suffocate them. IMHO, it's better to just stick with water changes. Almost all things are best cured, and prevented, by doing water changes properly.

I have never seen anything other than a crown tail or veil tail at any store, including the big box ones. I guess you are lucky to have them sold in your area.
Anyhow, you need water movement and something in there to cycle the tank. Water changes everyday of about 50%.

Daily water changes work miracles. I did 80% water changes daily for my delta tail who had fin rot and he's mostly recovered now. I wouldn't add any medicine unless an infection develops.

bazil323 said:

Some say to add a very weak amount of Bettafix (which is a weaker version of Melafix), but this is a risk since anabantoids like bettas can be hurt by the oils getting into their labyrinth organs and thus suffocate them.

Click to expand...

Bettafix and Melafix are actually the same: Bettafix is a diluted version to make it easier to treat for small volumes of water, but when used as directed both products give the same ingredient at the same concentration.

Melafix/Bettafix has been tested on Bettas (and gouramies) and does not cause them problems. Both products contain an ingredient to help the oil mix with the water.