What does Fin Rot Look Like?

[Cherry Bomb]

Hi Fellow Betta Lovers,

My little Cherry Bomb is "sporting" something new these days...it's a funky looking, white bumpy blob that seems to be stuck to one of his long fins.
I can't tell what it is...kind of looks like a tiny rice crispy...but whiter and kind of gross. Cherry Bomb has also been rather "blah" the last 24 hrs...he didn't eat today either, which is not like him.

He is usually waiting patiently for his food...but not today...he doesn't look happy and is not swimming around much. I have heard about fin rot, velvet and swim bladder disease... Can anyone describe what fin rot looks like...other than the name itself? What do I buy to treat this so Cherry Bomb can return to his normal, cheery :11: self again?

Thank you !

[cocoa_pleco]

its fin rot alright. you have him in a vase right? try getting at least a 2g with a filter, and add melafix and pimafix. if thats not possible, do lots of water changes

[SkarloeysMom]

Hmmm, doesn't sound like fin rot. Fin rot can makes the fins look frayed, holey or broken and they get visible shorter. Skarloey's looked kinda black on the ends when he had it.

I don't know what Cherry Bomb has but can you get a picture of it and post. Maybe someone will know more.

[cocoa_pleco]

theres 2 types of fin rot, bacterial and fungal. i think this ones fungal

[Cherry Bomb]

Thanks for the replies about Cherry Bomb and his recent symptoms.
I am going to get him some antibiotics tomorrow. I changed his water today...only 8 days since the last change. My "tank" is a huge vase...probably close to 4 gallons.
I thoroughly cleaned the plants and fancy stones too (no soap). I don't use a filter but am going to buy one of those floating thermometers to keep track of the water temperature. What does it mean when people ask "did you cycle the tank"?
Cherry Bomb looks sad :confused: ...his fins don't look ragged or like they are fraying...but this ugly blob that is hanging off one of his "chin fins". His lack of energy and not eating are what worry me. Let's hope I can help him tomorrow.
Thanks again for your comments. This is a great site with nice members :)

[cocoa_pleco]

it might be slow metabolism from no heater.

a cycled tank has colonies of good bacteria on the filter which eat ammonia that fish waste and rotting matter produce

[Lady Hobbs]

theres 2 types of fin rot, bacterial and fungal. i think this ones fungal

I agree. White, cottony looking patches are fungus. I would get him a fungual med, not an antibiotic.

[MeganL3985]

I changed his water today...only 8 days since the last change.


In a non-filtered vase, I think you should change the water out more often than only 8 days. 8 days is a long time without a water change. It also might help to get a heater....that will hold down diseases a bit. The heater I have in my 2.5 gal would probably work in your vase, its small and has a suction cup holder. Its called a Hydor Mini-heater. Costs about $12.

Oh another thing, are you using aquarium salt in your water? That also might help out.

[SkarloeysMom]

theres 2 types of fin rot, bacterial and fungal. i think this ones fungal

Thank Cocoa! I didn't know that. I guess I've only ever seen bacterial. That's good to know.

About the not eating...that's a concern. I think I'd keep a very close eye on Cherry Bomb for any other changes. There is something definitely going on if a betta is not hungry.

Changing the water more often in an unfiltered tank is a must to keep your betta healthy.

[cocoa_pleco]

just for anyone else reading with a fish with finrot-

fungal is a big white puff on its tail

bacterial is the fin is shorter and darkened, sometimes torn

SEVERE bacterial is blood red fins, and major damage (ive had some bettas with that, almost impossible to treat)

lol, theres lots of everything, like ick and marine ick

[Nick_Pavlovski]

Very nifty summary!
So, my Courtier had bacterial finrot last time...

[Cherry Bomb]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all the information. I am so sad to report that Cherry Bomb didn't make it through more than 48 hours after the white blob appeared on his "chin fin". I cleaned his tank (kept some of the original water too) and treated the water with an antifungal product from the pet store. He seemed to perk up for the first few hours...then, I found him in the morning, curled up at the bottom :( :( :(

Since this white blob appeared out of nowhere...I am starting to think he cut himself somehow...it looked sort of like an "absess" or growth.

I am trying one more time with another Betta....This is a CrownTail who I am calling "Turbo". He is very handsome and sports a wonderful display of blue & aqua fins as he zooms around the tank. Yes, my 'tank' is a huge vase...almost more of a jug, close to 4 gallons or better. I clean the water once a week and condition it as well (keeping at least 25% original water/good bacteria).

I've looked for a quality heater....don't want to get anything too high in wattage for such a small tank. I found one for $35 which looks like a nice heater...but I would like to keep looking ($35 seems a bit high). I don't want anything that could ever create a "shock" for my Betta!

Thank you to everyone on this board who has responded to my questions to date. Turbo is my 3rd Betta...if this guy doesn't make it, I don't think it's meant for me to have these beautiful fish...no matter how nice a home I can provide for them.

Good luck to all :)

[ruecole]

Just a suggestion: but I'd probably do 100% water changes, given there's no filtration. There is no "good bacteria" in the water. It grows in gravel or on filter media.

JMVHO

Rue

[SkarloeysMom]

Just a suggestion: but I'd probably do 100% water changes, given there's no filtration. There is no "good bacteria" in the water. It grows in gravel or on filter media.

JMVHO

Rue

I'd second that suggestion. If your tank is not cycled there is no reason to leave old water in there. The cleaner your water the happier your betta will be.

[Cherry Bomb]

Hi Everyone,

FYI: Just wanted to let you know that my 3rd Betta "Turbo" is still zooming around his tank. He looks so healthy and happy...a very lively little guy.
I am changing water regularly (at least 1x per wk), also conditioning, sea salt and melafix to keep trouble away!

I am caring for my nephew's older Betta, Gil, who incurred fin rot and some other "bugs". I first treated him w/BettaFix for 7 days... then let him sit for a few days without medication. He improved slightly, but since I've been treating him w/Melafix & Pimafix, combined with sea salt, he is looking more energetic and true to color. The ugly gray color under his chin/neck area have gone away and he is moving around much more. The only thing is that his long fins don't appear to be growing back? Will they, eventually? I have a few days to go with Mela & Pima fix treatment...maybe he will get back to normal in another week or so. None-the-less, he is much better. When I took him home...he was barely moving, not eating much and hanging in the branch forever. Now at least, I see life...and I am hoping he is feeling better inside and more comfortable :)

Thanks to all for the great comments, suggestions and feedback :)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN