Does my betta have ich or fin rot?

I've had a male betta for four months and he's been very healthy until now. I keep him in a two-gallon tank with an aerator. He's generally very energetic and his fins were beautiful. But recently he became more lethargic and I noticed him trailing white wispy material on his bottom fin. So I did a complete water change and changed the tubing and rock for his aerator and even removed an aquarium lily bulb I'd been trying to grow in his tank. I doubt it caused anything but I removed it anyway. Since then he's been more energetic but I still occasionally see the white material and his back fin looks frayed and ragged on the edges. The bottom fin looks a little curled. I have some Wardley Ick Away I could use but I don’t even know if it’s ich or fin rot. I’m in college and shop largely at a local Wal Mart so considering that when recommending treatments would help. I want to do something ASAP so any good advice would be appreciated.

Does my betta have ich or fin rot?
it's not ick, and velvet is something completely different than fin rot. velvet is another parasite.



it could be fin rot, but the wispy material lead me to believe it's actually a fungal infection.



a lot of people swear by Fungus Eliminator by Jungle, but I use a cheap brand called liquid fungus cure and it works great for fin rot and cottony fungi.



also get some aquarium salt (for freshwater aquariums, I know that sounds stupid -_-;) and a little less than a teaspoon to his two gallon tank. continue to do this with every water change even after he gets better because it helps prevent these kinds of sicknesses.



change the water every 3 days and add a new dosage. do this up to 3 times after symptoms stop.



I also would like to say that instead of an aerator (because bettas are labyrinth fish and don't need an aerator) you should get a small heater, 4 watts or 7.5watts at most. and a thermometer for about $1 so you can monitor the temp. keep it around 78°F to 80°F (bring ti up slowly). low temps make them week and more susceptible to diseases.



good luck!



*edit*

here is a 7.5 watt heater for tanks 2 to 5 gallons.

http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/...
Reply:It sounds like Fin Rot!
Reply:ich is white spots, I suggest that you call your local pet store and see what this is and what they recommend. I had severl fish tanks years ago and remember what you are describing but cannot remember the name of the condition. Wal-Mart doesn't know much, not as much as a pet store. Hope this helps.
Reply:sounds like your water just got a little too much bacteria in it. i assuming you have gravel in the bottom? gravel can help -- just 1/2 inch -- the bacteria will fall down there and the fish can't get it stuck on his fins. but you need to do regular gravel vacuums -- i do a gravel vacuum and change about 80% of the water weekly. just leave enough water the fish can swim around in it. if the plant isn't doing anything try putting it in a clear cup by a window until it does do something.



ich is white and spotty like salt or sugar. it is usually on the body too though.



fin rot you will lose chunks of fin like you lose dry skin flakes. the fins look kind of like wilted lettuce and then drop in little flakes. it can take like 1/2 the fin in a couple days -- its not slow. if it is fin rot you will need antibiotics -- maracyn and maracyn2 will fix it. they dont' sell them at walmart though.



for the fish try some melfix or some aquarium salt. for 2 gallons disolve a teaspoon of aquarium salt and drop it in. it sounds more like bacteria buildup in the water than anything else. you could try to use a turkey baster to suck the gunk out of the bottom.



he might be cold or something -- that makes them more prone to being lethargic and catching things.
Reply:He has fin rot. It's called "velvet" or "betta disease" also.



Go to the pet store and get some antibiotic.



Good luck.
Reply:I have to agree with Danielle Z on this one - there are too many symptoms for just one problem. Here are two links to handy references of fish problems (with photos for comparison), symptoms, %26amp; treatments: http://www.fishdeals.com/fish_diseases/s...

http://www.bettatalk.com/betta_diseases....



As previously suggested, temperature and water quality have a big part in fish health. Bettas like it warm (78-82) and water should be changed frequently - if he's in a tank, change 20-30% of the volume each week. If he's in a bowl, the changes should be the same volume, but more frequently, or larger volumes.



Hope he does okay!
Reply:Ick is white spots Fin Rot generally have frayed ends on their fins and a velvety appearance...It soulds like Fin rot...go to your local pet store for the drops to put in the tank....
Reply:Kylie is somewhat correct however Fin rot is caused by a bacterial infection. but it sounds like your fish have multipul symptoms.



The key is knowing what is afflicting your fish. Here are a few things to look for since we cannot see the fish.



The fins fray and the skin fades until it is whitish or in white patches - the reason the PH is too high in the tank. Do several water changes. If this does not help, lower the pH with Sodium Bisulfate -or- Sodium Monophosphate



White dots, up to 1mm in size, form on the fin edges and surfaces - Could be a form of ich (velvet, cotton mouth white spot) Use: Forma-Green -or- Copper Sulfate. (There are other cures as well)



(as above) A velvety coating forms on the fin edges and the sides. With a magnifying glass, the individual dots are visible

Your fish are affected by Oodinium Use: Forma-Green -or- Copper Sulfate.



The fins, edged in white, grow shorter and shorter advanced Bacterial fin rot, or too high pH No suitable treatment known. (Water changes and lowering ph could help)



Tail and fin rot appears to be a bacterial infection of the tail and/or fins and may be caused by generally poor conditions, bully, or fin nipping tankmates. If aquarium conditions are not good an infection can be caused from a simple injury to the fins/tail. Tuberculosis can lead to tail and fin rot. Basically, the tail and/or fins become frayed or lose color. Over time the affected area slowly breaks down.



First, attempt to ascertain the cause. Then treat accordingly. Also, treat the water or fish with antibiotics. If added to the water, use 20 - 30 mg per liter. If the fish is to be treated add an antibiotic to the food. With flake food, use about 1% of antibiotic and carefully mix it in. If you keep the fish hungry they should eagerly eat the mixture before the antibiotic dissipates. Antibiotics usually come in 250 mg capsules. If added to 25 grams of flake food, one capsule should be enough to treat dozens of fish. A good antibiotic is chloromycetin (chloramphenicol) or tetracycline. If you feed your fish frozen foods or chopped foods, try to use the same ratio with mixing. As a last resort add at most 10 mg per liter of water. Also, if unkempt conditions are the suspected cause, correct it.



I know there are a lot of variables here, however you are the only one who can see your fish.



PS.

Ich cannot be removed from the water. Ich is a free form swimming parasite found in all water. The only true way to rid a tank of ich is with a UVSteralizer.



If your fish seems to get worse with treatment feel free to im or email me and I will try to help.
Reply:there are a few other questions and answers regaurding fin rot on here that might help you, but I did want to tell you I am a college student as well and just bought my betta, for everything I have spent 98 dollars so far!! Its pretty crazy but for a lot things, wal-mart does seem to be cheaper than pet co. Pet co prob. has a lot more of a variety for the fin rot treatment. Plus people there prob. know more. Good luck with your betta!

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