What is wrong with my betta?

[lilly]

My betta has been in a 10 gallon cycled tank for 2 mths. For 4 months before that he was in a 3 gallon ugly hot pink tank, cycled with heat of course.

PH 7.8, Amm 0,NI 0, NA 10, Temp 78, change 1/4 water each week. Use only Prime at that time. I do have an algae problem because the tank is by windows so I only turn the light on for 4 hours per day.

The middle part of his fin is almost gone and there are little spiny things that are about 1/4 inch. He is eating and seems okay. He has always been quiet, he sits in his cup all day now.

I put Jungle Fungus Clear in on xmas eve. Was that okay? Should I dose again on the 4th day?

I also read that my plastic plants are bad. I did trim the edges so they are not sharp. My substrate is sand.

I will try to attach a photo.

Thank you! :help:

[lilly]

You can see the spiny things here.

The algae you see has come in 2 weeks. I completely cleaned the algae off of the heater and it's back.

[webcricket]

That is some kind of fin rot, and it is bacterial. The fungus medication won't help. The spiny things you see are his fin bones. The rot is pretty serious when it reaches this point and may spread to the body. I've never dealt with a case that serious, so hopefully someone else can chime in for you here with some recommendations of antibiotics and how to treat from here.

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

Its not rot... Definitely an injury of some type... Ever caught him chewing his tail??? Looks alot like one of those werido masochistic injuries they will perform ocassionally... The location makes that a little unlikely, but not impossible... If you find odd coloured poo, its probably mostly fin he digested.

Best guess is he got it caught somewhere and tore it straight out... The "spiny things" are the rays, nothing foreign. If you look around the tank, you may find it or he may of eaten it already. I'd ditch the plants to be safe, they dont contribute anything anyway... Put him back in his tank and keep the water clean. First sign of infection, treat immediately.

[webcricket]

I guess I read incorrectly that it was progressively disappearing. If the fin was suddenly gone, then I'd agree with Pixie. If it disappeared slowly, I'd lean more toward the rot/bacterial issue.

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

I think the culprit may be those suction cup holders... They are sharp and capable of catching a tail... It takes very little to tear a Bettas finnage.

Yeah, id agree with you on that... Rot is slower and looks alot different...

[lilly]

I honestly don't know. I am new to bettas and not very observant.

Poor guy. When I switched to the 10 gallon I gave him an HOB instead of a sponge filter, plastic plants instead of his silk flower plant, a bubble wall and a sharp rock.

I swear, I was trying to improve his life.

Considering the severity, should I treat for bacteria just in case?
The medicine I gave him says it is for "fungus and bacteria related conditions". It lists tail, fin or mouth rot, dropsy, fungus, clamped fins and hemorrhagic septicmia.

Sounds scary. Tomorrow is the 4th day and according to the box, I add another tablet.

Thank you so much for your help.

I am trying to attach a photo of him in his old tank. This is from his first days with us. I knew enough to take the plastic flower and HOB out and replace with silk and sponge but somewhere along the way, I obviously forgot.

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

I swear, I was trying to improve his life.

Well, it couldnt get any worse then that really bizarre tank... Sorry, but man that is ugly... Keep an eye on him and dont treat anything until it needs treating... Medicating is not "preventative maintenance" and should not be used unless necessary. Just like people, meds are becomming less and less effective from improper use and dosing...

[lilly]

Which one is ugly??! lol both I think but I really hated the pink. I have 3 daughters and thought I could handle the pink tank. Now the green algae blue medicine tank is just as bad isn't it??

Just so I feel better, I would like to show you my cichlid tank. This tank has not given me problems. well except the power filter incident that suck up my male and female saulosi. I have just saulosi in this 37 gallon tank. Been up for 6 mths.

[lilly]

Tested again just to make sure and NA is actually 0.

I am taking everything out but his smooth cup, yes, it's pink but I can't take it away. He doesn't like the light. I'll find him something to hide in that is smooth later. Plants out. I'll turn the HOB down low but for a 10 gallon, isn't the HOB better than a sponge filter?

This must be how my fish feels! :shark:

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

I truly didnt mean to hurt your feelings! I hope I didnt... That Pink tank is way out! I think it was the flower that did me lol

And your fry are cute as buttons!

The hob, although not necessary should not be a big deal if it is turned way low...HOBS do nothing for poop removal, but they do grow lots of good bacteria that your Betta will definiely benefit from.

[lilly]

You did not, no worries. My daughter that had to have it, is 20. She was going to take him to her dorm but I worried that she wouldn't water change etc so I kept him here.

OKay, I did a water change to get the meds out, took out the bubble wall, took out the suction cups except one on the heater, added his old sponge filter and an ugly coffee mug for him to sit safely in for now.

I also took the filter medium from the HOB and put it in the tank so I wouldn't upset the cycle too much. Tested the water before I started and I got 0,0,0, so that was nice to know.

Of course the fish is sitting on the mesh bag that holds the biorings. The mesh bag is the only thing in the tank that might snare a fin and he finds it. lol

:rolleyes:

[lilly]

Update, fish is much happier but tank has filter stuff everywhere. I put the HOB back in, turned it low and will leave it until the tank is clear.

I have an Aquaclear 30 in this 10 gallon tank. I started with cichlids so overpower the filter. In this case, maybe I should get a smaller HOB so there is less current. The sponge filter keeps floating to the top.

Thanks for your help with the diagnosis, hope we are correct. Time will tell. :dive2:

[lilly]

Came home for lunch. Tank is clear, fish is flaring at me which is good I guess. He's not sitting, hiding in his cup.

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

Ok, this is really wacky... I have/had this gorgeous male... I say "had" because the masochistic little spaz is a tail chewer.... Healthy as hell, but looks like a dogs breakfast... Anywho, I go to feed him this morning and he has the EXACT same injury as your fish in the EXACT same location... Right down to the bits of broken rays poking out...It is definitly self inflicted because a) he does this all the time b) he is in a totally bare, round container... SOooooo mystery solved, your fishes injury is self inflicted... Keep the water clean, toss in a bit of melafix for good measure and keep an eye out for problems... Healthy Bettas heal pretty quick and as long as the tank is clean and his immune system strong, he should have no problems with infection.

[webcricket]

Oh no! Cursed thread! I have a tail biter as well...I hope I don't find his tail chewed like that just because I posted here. :eek:

[lilly]

lol What crazy fish we have. I never see him biting his tail but who knows what he does in his little hot pink cave. He is a guy after all...

He is much happier now that the dreaded bubble wall, evil plastic plants and nasty rock are gone. He only has me to flare at now and he does that often.

He's a little :Angel:

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

[QUOTE=lilly]who knows what he does in his little hot pink cave. He is a guy after all...[QUOTE]

I have one that tries to breed "himself" Grabs his tail in his mouth and slowly falls to the bottom... I would explain more but it is a family forum. I think that is what the tail biting is all about. A high sex drive and a "need to breed"

[CaitxSith]

i heard betta bite their own tails when they're bored (a.k.a more tankmates)

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

Bored? I keep hearing this "bored thing"... Fish donot get bored. They donot require mental stimulation (if you call a collection of a few tiny cells a brain) and would most likely die from the stress of constant stimulation. They are instinctual not intelligent. Fish do the following....
a)eat
b)rest
c)poop
d) avoid predators
e)seek breeding partners

What we would consider "boring" is most likely the perfect day for a fish.. Sit quietly, have a snack, dont get eaten or into a fight with a predator...Just another day at the office.

That pretty much covers the typical day/ entire life of a fish. I have a tail chewer that is a regular spawner and if any fish leads an exciting life- its him. He does stop chewing his tail however following a spawning and will contine that way for a few weeks. He gets "randy" and it will start again.
Not conclusive evidence but enough of an explanation for me.

[lilly]

So I have a horny male betta who loves to sit in his hot pink cup...hmmmm

I always read that fish know their owners too. That they swim up for one person but hide when it's anyone else. Mine could care less who I am! Any hand that is dropping food in is good enough for them.

I have 4 days off in a row. Time to mess with my tanks!