kat
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Post by kat on Jun 12, 2017 10:24:39 GMT -5
Hi! I am new to this forum. I have been successfully keeping dwarf shrimp but when it comes to betta fish I need help! Our super delta come down with fin rot 2 weeks ago, no other apparent issues. I used medicated wonder shells and it seemed to work, he was healing and then yesterday it seems like his tail is tearing again! He is in a 5 gallon tank with a 50 watt preset heater around 78 degrees Ph 7.4 Kh 2-3 Gh 6 TDS 215 Ammonia 0 (doing 20-30% water changes daily) 2 Indian almond leaves in the tank Some live plants no gravel, etc 3 regular small wonder shells mini sponge filter about 2 inches under the water Want to try Methylene blue swab but the idea of holding him is hard for me, I am going to try to do it today with a net (not sure how to hold him). If that idea fails, an MB bath with triple sulfur sounds easier. I am thinking of giving him 1 or 2 baths a day and then returning him to his clean tank. Or should I treat his clean tank? If I give him a bath, how much triple sulfa for a 1/2 gallon bath with how much MB (thinking 3-4 drops)? Also, how for how many days should I preform a bath? Should I add the medicated wonder shell to his bath too? Other than the torn fins, he is a 2 inch super delta betta eating 3 soaked pellets, 2x’s per day and he acts normal. Do not see a problem with white anywhere and his body looks fine, no sores etc. Wonder if he is biting his own tail? What can I do?
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Post by Carl on Jun 12, 2017 14:20:24 GMT -5
Hi Kat & Welcome to EA! You might try the baths first rather than the swabs. MB with Triple Sulfa in the baths is an excellent idea. Triple sulfa can be directly added to the tank too and safely combined with Medicated Wonder Shells Age and genetics play a big role in Betta health as well. Often these fish are very inbred and often are sold as adults that are well past their "youth" (meaning the fish is already older when purchased) as for tail biting, this is more of a myth Reference: www.fish-as-pets.com/2014/10/common-aquarium-keeping-myths.html#bettaCarl
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Jun 12, 2017 14:39:28 GMT -5
Best is to do the swab, bath, and treating the tank. Holding him should be fine. I bring them up in a net and place my hand under the fish. They will lay in your palm. Some might try to flop, but you just lightly close your hand and they will stop. Just make it quick. Best is to try and do both sides, but sometimes if the fish is having a hard time, one side is better than no sides. Then place into the bath.
Preform the bath, then place back into the treated tank.
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kat
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Post by kat on Jun 13, 2017 8:44:29 GMT -5
Well, we did it! I was able to swab the beta's tail and he flipped for me while I swabbed the other side. I then gave him a medicated bath and prepared his tank in the meantime. This morning I think I see some new growth and he seems very happy! Thank you!
The question I have is will the sponge filter be ok after the treatment with Triple Sulfa or will I need to replace it. How about the plants? Also, I am thinking I will keep the two Indian almond leaves in there during the treatment, he loves to hide under them, it that ok?
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Jun 13, 2017 12:52:12 GMT -5
Keep the sponge in there, but it is likely that the bacteria in the sponge will die from the treatment. I would remove the plant also. You'll need to reestablish the bio-cycle once the treatment is down. I believe the almond leaf will be fine.
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kat
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Posts: 8
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Post by kat on Jun 14, 2017 0:31:11 GMT -5
So far so good! Another question, how many days should I perform the fish bath? I plan to finish the 4 day Triple Sulfa treatment do I continue the baths beyond that?
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Post by Carl on Jun 14, 2017 9:04:24 GMT -5
So far so good! Another question, how many days should I perform the fish bath? I plan to finish the 4 day Triple Sulfa treatment do I continue the baths beyond that? Generally i perform baths 7-10 day, assuming no harm from injury or stress from the bath Carl
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kat
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Post by kat on Jun 16, 2017 20:48:03 GMT -5
He does not seem to be experiencing stress from the MB baths, I plan to continue for the 10 days of treatment. Yesterday was the last day of treating with Triple Sulfa. What am I suppose to see? How do I decide to do a second round of treatment or not? There seems to be some new growth on some fins (is that what you see) but some are still shredded. Does that mean there is still bacteria? Do you think I should do a second round of triple sulfa? If so, how do I properly do a second treatment? Do I need to add carbon filter if I am doing a second treatment? So many questions...just want to do right by him. Kat
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Post by Carl on Jun 17, 2017 10:26:45 GMT -5
He does not seem to be experiencing stress from the MB baths, I plan to continue for the 10 days of treatment. Yesterday was the last day of treating with Triple Sulfa. What am I suppose to see? How do I decide to do a second round of treatment or not? Just as you would with an external infection on a human, the signs of infection will go away, but full healing is generally a week or weeks away (& sometimes scarring will result) I do not see any direct signs of infection, so I would maybe only perform baths a couple days longer. Using AAP StressGuard would be a suggestion Resource: www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Seachem.html#stressguardNot right now. Switching up to maybe Maracyn Plus should another treatment be needed might be a good idea too Resource: www.americanaquariumproducts.com/FritzMardelKordon.html#maracyn_plusCarl
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kat
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Posts: 8
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Post by kat on Jul 5, 2017 12:37:28 GMT -5
Hi! It's been 3.5 weeks since we began treatment with Bart's fin rot and most of his fins seems to be growing back. There is one spot on the middle of his caudal tail I am not sure about. Hopefully you can see it in the picture. I am wondering if you think the fin rot is still there? If so, should I try a round of Maracyn Plus? Thank you! Kat
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Post by Carl on Jul 5, 2017 19:32:25 GMT -5
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kat
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Post by kat on Jul 5, 2017 21:52:14 GMT -5
Peace of mind....thank you Carl!
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kat
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Posts: 8
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Post by kat on Jul 17, 2017 10:21:19 GMT -5
There seems to be more tearing on his dorsal fin? And he maybe loosing some of the anal fin? I am being careful about redox, testing the water for ammonia and then doing a water change, keeping ammonia <.25. I was doing 50% and now keep it closer to 25%. He is in a 5 gallon hospital tank and I plan to move him into a 9 gallon tank that I am preparing for him. I am also treating the tank he is in with Stability because I started a new sponge filter after the round of Triple Sulfa and will be finished with the initial dose in two days. I have stopped the StressGuard. Should I start that again? Can I use it with Stability? He seems very happy and eating, I just can't seems to help his fins. Do I treat again with antibiotic or maybe just get him into his bigger tank? I think he probably is an older Betta, just trying to do the best by him. xoxo betta's, Kat
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Jul 17, 2017 12:32:06 GMT -5
View AttachmentThere seems to be more tearing on his dorsal fin? And he maybe loosing some of the anal fin? I am being careful about redox, testing the water for ammonia and then doing a water change, keeping ammonia <.25. I was doing 50% and now keep it closer to 25%. He is in a 5 gallon hospital tank and I plan to move him into a 9 gallon tank that I am preparing for him. I am also treating the tank he is in with Stability because I started a new sponge filter after the round of Triple Sulfa and will be finished with the initial dose in two days. I have stopped the StressGuard. Should I start that again? Can I use it with Stability? He seems very happy and eating, I just can't seems to help his fins. Do I treat again with antibiotic or maybe just get him into his bigger tank? I think he probably is an older Betta, just trying to do the best by him. xoxo betta's, Kat Did you do ten days of the swab? I think that would have the most effect on the tail.
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kat
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Posts: 8
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Post by kat on Jul 17, 2017 15:42:32 GMT -5
I did 7 days of the MB swab along with the antibiotics and baths about one month ago and all looked well. I was treating with StressGuard to help him grow his fins back until a few days ago, the fins look torn again. I can do 10 days of the swab again, and do you think I should give him a 30 minute bath afterwards with a medicated wonder shell?
I am reluctant to try another antibiotic yet, I don't see any problems anywhere else except his fins. The ammonia did reach near .25 a few times before I did a water change. Do you think just a small increase in ammonia torn his tails? There is nothing sharp in the tank. Also, not sure I am keeping bacteria in balance with such a small tank, 5 gallons. Would a small UV Sterilizer help tanks under 10 gallons? Or is it more efficient to do small 25% water changes a few times per week?
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Post by Carl on Jul 17, 2017 19:23:58 GMT -5
I agree that a swab and bath would be better than in tank treatment for now unless this stresses him out.
I would even hold off on the Medicated Wonder Shell for now (just use a regular according to tank size at 1/4 to 1/2 dose) If now further healing in a 4-5 days, then the MWS along with Triple Sulfa
A UV Sterilizer benefits any and all aquarium, but it really comes down to practicality for a most tanks under 20 gallons
BTW, I am going to move this post to sick fish, so it does not get lost in the Welcome forum board.
Carl
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