Healing or Further Infection?

[kaitie]

Hello again.

It has been several weeks since I created the previous thread, trying to better understand what I needed to do for my betta's fin rot. I am currently treating with Sulfaplex and Paraguard (Paraguard only for the first week, Sulfaplex for three). The biggest difference now is instead of the ends of the fins being very frayed and ragged, they are quite smooth in one area. I just wanted to ask -- does this look like the stop of an infection, and potentially some healing? Or is this black and redness a sign of further infection? Thanks again. 

Parameters throughout the last month have been (testing every 1-3 days)
    Ammonia: 0-.25ppm
    Nitrite: 0
    Nitrate: 5ppm (dipped to 2.5ppm when I removed a filter for medications)
    pH: 7.8-8
    gH: 125ppm
    kH: 80-100ppm


I have attached two pictures, the first is this week -- the second is last week.

Previous post: everythingaquatic.proboards.com/post/43609/thread

Attachments:

[Carl]

Black is typically a sign of healing (often healing is not 100% with fin damage)
Red can be a sign of infection, although I did not see any (maybe you can circle this on a picture)


If done with your treatment regimen, I would suggest adding SeaChem StressGuard to aid with natural healing and improved Redox balance

www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Seachem.html#stressguard

1/4 Dose of regular AAP Wonder Shells would also be advised
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/MedicatedWonderShell.html

[kaitie]

Thanks Carl. I have attached a new photo with yellow circles to the original post. Pictures never seem to do justice. In person I would say the portion on the left is red. The streak(s) on the right, he has had for a really long time.

I have stressguard on hand for after the treatment, so that is great =)

[Carl]

Thanks for the additional picture with circles.

These do not look like infections, just pigment.

[kaitie]

Thanks Carl, that is great to 'hear'.