Hole in the Head & Fin Rot?

[kaitie]

MARCH 17 UPDATE

I don't know how.. but I think he is getting better   So I am just doing my best to keep the water absolutely perfect while he continues to heal. I have added a new picture taken today at then end of this post.

INITIAL POST 


It's me.. again.

5 gallon filtered tank with heater, set at 79F.
Ammonia 0-0.25ppm
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 7-10ppm
pH 7.8
GH 150
kH 120-150
    (I test every three or so days and these results have been consistent for several months)


I was here trying to remedy some significant fin rot issues. After treating with Sulfplex and Paraguard the fin rot stopped progressing and I was seeing a good amount of regrowth.

A month later the fins started to rapidly decline. We have since done a full course of Kanamycin followed by Nitrofuracin Green. No change.

I have a new symptom now, and it is making me think that the fin rot may have been a secondary infection. I have attached pictures. I am pretty out of my depth at this point I think. 

Things to note, his head was completely navy blue originally, the light areas, the pigment around the eyes, and the gash-like spot on his head are all new. Also, the dark spots on his body are new.

Also, he is still active and eating well. 

*** UPDATE *** (Feb 15 2023)
Cotton like growth on his head.. new picture attached 

Attachments:

[Carl]

What is the age?

He does not look terrible, especially if he is older and eating well, so maybe treatment is no the best option YET.

Also Kanamycin by itself is not generally the best course for fin rot (your previous combination was better).
The best treatment would be AAP Yellow Powder

However I personally think you should wait and treat with AAP/SeaChem StressGuard along with a 1/4 dose of a fresh AAP Wonder Shell

Further Reading:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2011/06/betta-fin-rot.html

[kaitie]

Thanks Carl. I bought him in July of last year but I don't know how old he was at the time. His attitude surprises me considering he's lost 80% of his tail.

I used stressguard after the treatments but no shells. I'll have to try that.

[kaitie]

We have a new symptom.. I am not sure if it makes a difference. I won't be able to get the AAP shells for a couple of weeks at the earliest.

There is now a fuzz/cotton-like growth coming out from between the scales on his head. I have attached a new picture of what I can see.

[Carl]

I do not see an attached picture?

Here is information of fungus, saprolegnia:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Columnaris.html#fungus

[kaitie]

Update in the original post =)

[Carl]

If the cotton like growth is the update, my suggestion is a swab with either Merbromin (AAP Wound Control) or Methylene Blue.
At this point I think dumping in medications might cause more harm than good and I suspect this might be an older better.

Keeping water conditions as pristine as possible (which you seem to be doing) is very important.
Occasional use of SeaChem StressGuard as well as regular use of 1/4 dose fresh AAP Wonder Shells is all I would use in the aquarium.

Resources:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Seachem.html#stressguard
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/FritzMardelKordon.html#methylene
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/MedicatedWonderShell.html

[kaitie]

Thanks Carl!

The cotton-like issue was from February. I did actually do a Methyene Blue swab back then, so it's good to hear confirmation of that theory. Separately I had also done a Hydrogen Peroxide swab on his damaged fins (after confirming no area was stained with the M.Blue). Kept the water pristine, used StressGuard, and left it alone.

The last update is a picture from last week. No more cotton-like growths, he has the pigment in his face back, and about 6 mm of growth to the worst part of his tail.

I doubt he will ever be the same, but I would have put money on losing that fish when I originally posted this.