I'm bravely making a plea for more advice about curing our betta of fin rot. I first will admit that I posted earlier this week about this, received some advice, read EVERY thread I could find even remotely related, did what I thought would be best (even though it went against some advice I received here) and the betta isn't better. So, for the wellbeing of my betta, I put my tail between my legs, lower my face in embarassment, and offer an update.
Our betta started showing signs of fin rot last Saturday, the same day we added 3 panda cories to his 6g tank. (Eclipse 6, with biowheel). Concerned about treating Red and not hurting the cories, we started using Fungus Cure (by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals) on Sunday, in the 6g, with the cories. I took the carbon/sponge out, left the biowheel in. I had done a 25% water change the day before (this tank had been running with the betta for a week before this, and so was not fully cycled, although ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels were manageable, and I'm willing to do water changes as necessary.)
By Tuesday, 48 hours later and when were were supposed to use another dose of Fungus Cure, one cory had died (we think he wasn't well from when we got him) the tank looked AWFUL (with no filtration, etc.) and Red's tail fin was much worse, and his dorsal fin was beginning to show signs of rot. I did a 50% water change, reinstalled the filter, and added Maracyn. (Maracyn says that if the carbon is older than 6 days, which ours was, it can be used.)
Wednesday, did another 50% water change, another dose of Maracyn. Cories thriving, Red no worse.
Thursday, did another 50% water change, another dose of Maracyn. Cories thriving, Red slightly worse. He has been eating well throughout, and although his activity is somewhat reduced, he still swims around, doesn't sit on the bottom, and has even flared a time or two.
Levels this morning before the above water change:
Ammonia between .5-1ppm
Nitrite .5ppm
Nitrate 5ppm
It appears that Maracyn has killed our bacteria in the filter. I'll keep doing the 50% water changes, even though it dilutes the Maracyn. I've read that dirty water contributes to Fin Rot, and so feel like the water changes are as important as the Maracyn.
BUT, Red's tail fin is almost completely gone...just shreds remain. His dorsal is about half gone. His bottom fin (anus fin?) is completely uneffected. He eats well.
What should we do? We'll continue the Maracyn for 2 more days (5 day treatment period). Should we do another 5 days after that? Should we switch to Maracyn 2? Should we switch to Jungle Fungus Eliminator (what we wanted to use in the first place, but have only recently tracked it down)? Will the rot continue onto his body? If we switch medicine, should we take the filter out again, and get dirty water? Should be remove the cories, who seem to be doing so well that we're afraid to rock the boat?
Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to provide as much information as possible, in hopes that someone(s) will know if we've done all we can, should do more, should do something different, etc.
Many thanks.
Margaret
Our betta started showing signs of fin rot last Saturday, the same day we added 3 panda cories to his 6g tank. (Eclipse 6, with biowheel). Concerned about treating Red and not hurting the cories, we started using Fungus Cure (by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals) on Sunday, in the 6g, with the cories. I took the carbon/sponge out, left the biowheel in. I had done a 25% water change the day before (this tank had been running with the betta for a week before this, and so was not fully cycled, although ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels were manageable, and I'm willing to do water changes as necessary.)
By Tuesday, 48 hours later and when were were supposed to use another dose of Fungus Cure, one cory had died (we think he wasn't well from when we got him) the tank looked AWFUL (with no filtration, etc.) and Red's tail fin was much worse, and his dorsal fin was beginning to show signs of rot. I did a 50% water change, reinstalled the filter, and added Maracyn. (Maracyn says that if the carbon is older than 6 days, which ours was, it can be used.)
Wednesday, did another 50% water change, another dose of Maracyn. Cories thriving, Red no worse.
Thursday, did another 50% water change, another dose of Maracyn. Cories thriving, Red slightly worse. He has been eating well throughout, and although his activity is somewhat reduced, he still swims around, doesn't sit on the bottom, and has even flared a time or two.
Levels this morning before the above water change:
Ammonia between .5-1ppm
Nitrite .5ppm
Nitrate 5ppm
It appears that Maracyn has killed our bacteria in the filter. I'll keep doing the 50% water changes, even though it dilutes the Maracyn. I've read that dirty water contributes to Fin Rot, and so feel like the water changes are as important as the Maracyn.
BUT, Red's tail fin is almost completely gone...just shreds remain. His dorsal is about half gone. His bottom fin (anus fin?) is completely uneffected. He eats well.
What should we do? We'll continue the Maracyn for 2 more days (5 day treatment period). Should we do another 5 days after that? Should we switch to Maracyn 2? Should we switch to Jungle Fungus Eliminator (what we wanted to use in the first place, but have only recently tracked it down)? Will the rot continue onto his body? If we switch medicine, should we take the filter out again, and get dirty water? Should be remove the cories, who seem to be doing so well that we're afraid to rock the boat?
Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to provide as much information as possible, in hopes that someone(s) will know if we've done all we can, should do more, should do something different, etc.
Many thanks.
Margaret
