Fin Rot - AGAIN

[kaitie]

I am very sad and frustrated to be here again. I cannot find the underlying cause of this recurring fin rot we have been battling for over a year.



I was away for almost two weeks for christmas break and my fish is at work. I have returned and these are the parameters:



Ammonia: 0.1 ppm (typical, high)

Nitrite: 0 ppm (typical)

Nitrate: 10 ppm (typical)

pH: 8 (typical)

KH: 143.2 ppm (I think - I just purchased the GH and KH tests and I am not 100% sure I am reading it correctly)
GH: 232.7 ppm
Temperature: 78f

Before I left I had just finished a treatment of Nitrofuracin Green with Kanaplex. Prior to that I was doing methylene blue and aquarium salt bathes (30 minutes). Before that he was doing quite well, lots of fin regrowth from our last battle with this issue.

The fish looks horrible after the break. However, he is as spunky and happy as usual. 

What should I do next?

Attachments:

[Carl]

Sorry for the slow response

Can you please provide a picture of your Betta?

What type of water do you use for water changes, and do you have a gravel, pebble, bare, etc. bottom in his aquarium/bowl?

[kaitie]

No problem Carl, thanks for the reply. I have attached photos in the main post (one general before photo and one current photo).

I use our tap water and the substrate is an aquarium gravel, with an assortment of some larger stones. It's a 5 gallon tank that he is alone in.

[Carl]

Sorry I missed the picture (I do not think it loaded the first time).

Anyway, what I see is more of a general wasting, rather than specific fin/tail rot.
How old is your Betta?

Can you also take a picture of your substrate (although after looking at your Betta,, as well as what I can see from the picture, I do not think this is the problem)?

You might try a mix of spring water/tap water too along with a 1/4 dose AAP Regular Wonder Shell
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/store/p236/AAP_Wonder_Shells_Med.html

Unfortunately, other than age, another possibility is Fish TB
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2012/04/tb-in-fish-mycobacterium-tuberculosis.html

[kaitie]

I've added an old photo - the decor is not the same anymore but it is the same substrate (it has been since I got him). I have had him a year and a half, but I have no idea how old he was when I bought him.

[Carl]

The reason I asked about the substrate, is that deeper substrate beds can trap organics that breed bacteria that can cause fin rot.
I do not think this is the case, but to make sure, since your bed is relatively deep, make sure to vacuum well to the bottom of this substrate.

Since you do not know the age, I am going to assume that age may well indeed be the main issue here and medicating is currently not the answer.
I would suggest what I noted earlier with mixing tap and spring water along with AAP Wonder Shells.
As well, I would also suggest AAP/SeaChem StressGuard in the water too.
Resource:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/store/p245/Seachem_Stressguard.html

[kaitie]

Thanks Carl! I will give it a try.

[devonjohnsgard]

Hi there,
Sorry I'm late to the conversation.

Is the aquarium heated or just by room temp?

If there's any temp swings it could make it harder to heal. Like when you left for the holiday, did the business lower Temps in the building?

Something else to consider.