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: