Does he look OK?

DarkSoul

Mad Scientist
Mar 12, 2007
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London, Ontario
Ive been watching my betta a bit, and I'm noticing some things that I didnt notice before, but am curious about.

In the pics I've highlighted the areas of concern.
Its extremely hard to get good pics of this guy, so I apoligize for the poor quality.

first, his Caudal fin seems to be going a little transparent near the end.
When I brought him home, I noticed a large "rip" in his caudal fin about 1/4" long. This seems to have healed up, but why are his fins going see through?
There seems to also be some little tiny black bits on the end... almost as if the fin is rotting and died??, its only on the bottom edge of his caudal fin so far.

also, his dorsal & anal fin near the ends seem to be curled up or something. not sure how to explain this one, but it hasnt gotten better or worse since i got him home. Maybe this is because his fin isnt fully flared out?

lastly, one of his ventral fins appears to be ripped in half, like a snake tounge..... i will have to look closer again to determine if thats what I really saw.

you can see a video here... but im not sure its any good at all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaeMU5U-ogA&eurl=

EDIT
======
The tank isnt fully cycled, and I did have a nitrite spike the other day, but I got it down to 0.25 yesterday, and today it is 0.
So todays readings are

Ammo: 0
Rites: 0
Rates: 0
Temp 78.6
pH: 7.6
GH: 7
KH:4

Clear Fin.JPG Curled Clear Fins.JPG Curled Fin.JPG DSCF2936.JPG
 
I see what you mean. Doesn't look like much to me though. I would say keep his water pristine and he will be fine. If you see it progressing melafix with pimafix will help, is very non aggressive and won't harm you bio filter.
 
I should also mention that hes been in the tank for 4 days, and the ripped fin he came home with appears fixed, but during the last couple of days I have done some stuff with the plants, and many water changes, had the temp fluccuate a bit, so is it possible at all that he has become stressed and this is the cause?

he also flared up today in a mirror, which i assume is a good sign, especially since he wouldnt do it previously.
 
certainly the move and redecoration could throw him out of sorts.

the flaring I understand to be a positive sign alright - in that its normal behaviour.

I'll bet it settles down fine as time goes on - just make sure of your water for him and you'll be good as gold.
 
I think I might have some better pics now..... 85 full size, full res pics, only to get one or two good ones.... omg.

will post the "better" ones in a few mins.
 
ok these are the "better" pics.....
some of the darker ones show off the transparent-ness of the anal fin.

also some mroe of the curling is a little more evident.

none of the pics have been resized. 2016 x 1512, click to view large images.

DSCF3008.JPG DSCF3017.JPG DSCF3020.JPG DSCF3021.JPG DSCF3025.JPG DSCF3034.JPG DSCF3036.JPG DSCF3041.JPG DSCF3053.JPG
 
Clear fins are new fin growth that will take a bit of time to color in. The black stuff could be blue(when bettas are exposed to light their colors tend to go blue), clumped together so it looks black.

If it is black BEFORE it is clear, then it is fin rot.

Edit: If you look at my avatar image, you can see my betta, Ace's fin ends are blue; they are the new growth.
 
That first pic in the second set looks like new fing growth. However the curling of the fins is not usually normal with new fin growth, but is tore fin healing is a good sign. Ill say that if he had fin rot, his other fin would not have healed so quickly. Keep his water clean, and watch him. In a day or so if his fins start to become ragged at the ends or appear to be dissapearing...cuold very well be fin rot.

Blue
 
Aren't you still going through your cycle in that tank?

I read the part where it's fully cycled, but I remember reading recently something else
 
I never said my tank was fully cycled... it isnt. but i am doing a silent cycle.

the fins being see through bothers me simply because i dont remember them being ripped or damaged when I brought him home. as near as I could tell, he had only the one rip, and the curling fins.

I suppose it is possible that I just didn't notice it when I brought him home.

Ive also got some ugly brown algae on my plants, i just did a water change and wiped a whole bunch off.
 
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