Betta Fin Rot

[Tien]

So a betta is not a "monster" fish but I am curious to see if anyone has any expertice with the betta. I have just started breeding bettas and am enjoying it a ton. The father betta of my most recent spawn has got a bad case of fin rot. This is my gorgeous platinum white half moon and I am mad that his fins are rotting away! I have been dosing his tank with Melafix and for 4 or 5 days the fin rot slowed then stopped. I am still dosing the tank with melafix but the rotting started up again! Has anyone had any success with other medications on bettas? Any suggestions?

 

[kevinfleming21]

you could always try the ol' salt and temp raising method. never tried it on a betta but seems like it would work.

 

[Richie_ELP]

How is the water quality?

 

[Tien]

Water quality is great. I stay on top of it. Isn't the salt dip just for parasites.

 

[kevinfleming21]

Water quality is great. I stay on top of it. Isn't the salt dip just for parasites.

no, salt will also help heal open wounds or sores, think about when you go into the ocean with a scrape. few days later it will be healed up.

 

[Richie_ELP]

I don't understand why this is an issue if the water is within the proper parameters. Anyway, if the problem is fin rot Melafix will not do anything for you initially because it is an antiseptic and not an antibiotic. Though it will help once the mess clears with fin regeneration. I would attempt the salt bath. If that fails, I would use an antibiotic. Minocycline (sp?)
If the salt kills off the bacteria, use the melafix. Hopefully the fins will grow back the way they were before the rot. Resort to the medication only if all else fails.
[SIZE=-2][/SIZE]

 

[Tien]

Thanks for all of the info. I have never attempted a full salt bath with a fresh water fish. Would I bring the gravity to a full 1.023? How long would you suggest keeping the betts in the bath?

 

[kuro]

just bring the concentration up to 0.3%, which is about 1 tablespoon/gallon. you can go up to 0.6% but i think .3 should be enough, this is not a saltbath leave him in water with 0.3% to see if it get better cause it work for my betta when he got finrot

 

[Tien]

That makes sense. I will try that tonight and see how it works.

 

[Tien]

The salt worked and the fins are growing back. Thanks for the help!