Please need help ASAP

platytetrafan

AC Members
Jan 20, 2007
1,564
5
38
NY
I have a Betta that had fin rot treated with fungus cure as directed and all seemed to be fine until tonight. I do weekly water changes and gravel vac parameters are good. Tonight I noticed what I think might be the start of dropsy scales look like they are starting to Pinecone. I don't have maracyn 1 or 2 in the house but did add 3 1/2 teaspoons of aquarium salt to the tank. How often should I add salt and water changes? I have fungus cure in the house but not sure if I should use it or not. Tomorrow I can get maracyn products unless something else is better. Any advise to help save this Betta would be appreciated.
 
Unfortunately, when you see pineconing scales, there is nothing much to be done except try to minimize discomfort. Dropsy is not a disease, it's a symptom - fluid buildup due to organ failure. Aquarium salt doesn't help at all, why would it? If anything, you should try Epsom salt, which reduces bloating...and while it certainly won't cure your betta, it might make her a bit more comfortable.

Maracyn 2 says it helps with dropsy, but honestly, fish almost never come back from dropsy. Kanamycin is another one that has a very rare chance of success. If I see pinecone scales on my fish, I euthanize them with clove oil, personally:
http://wetwebmedia.com/euthanasia.htm

You say your betta had fin rot before. For future reference, evaluate the setup - is this your betta in a 2.5 or 3 gallon tank? These are very small tanks, and while it's possible to keep bettas healthy in tanks that small, your chances of success are greatly increased with a larger tank. It may be convenient to have small tanks due to space and money considerations, but overall, bettas are best off in tanks of at least 5 gallons, with 10 and above being best, in my opinion. They live longer, and act more naturally when they have space to swim and plenty of water to dilute their wastes (which consist of things like hormones and metabolic wastes, beyond just the nitrates and stuff which we can actually measure).
 
Betta is in a 3 gallon eclipse tank. I researched about use of aquarium salt and a Betta website did say that 1/2 tsp of salt per gallon can help so am trying it and will give maracyn a try it's worth a shot.When you add Epsom salt how much and how often? I have another Betta in a 2.5 g and another in a 5 g tank both thriving and doing well.
 
I researched about use of aquarium salt and a Betta website did say that 1/2 tsp of salt per gallon can help so am trying it and will give maracyn a try it's worth a shot.
It's Maracyn 2 that's supposed to work, according to them. I've never actually seen or heard of it working, myself...

Salt is used inappropriately by many people, a lot of times in an almost superstitious way. Read the link below to understand better the proper use of salt, it's helpful in only specific situations.

When you add Epsom salt how much and how often?
About 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons. It doesn't evaporate, so that's all you add. Here's more info:
http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/SaltUseFWArtNeale.htm
 
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