Betta Fish Fin Rot: What to look for?

Betta fish fin rot. We have a new Fish Hay! It’s not a Tetra but we might be putting a few tetras with this new addition.

When getting a betta fish or any fish you want to keep it healthy and happy (well hopefully you do) to do this we sometimes need to look at problems before they occur. We have an awesome Betta fish tank setup ideas post to help too.

So Today we Are Taking A Look At The Dreaded Fin Rot

First What Is Fin Rot?

Betta Fish Fin rot is a bacterial disease that affects fish, Caused by a dirty tank, poor care, or exposure. Fish fins appear torn and ragged as if they are rotting away.

 

So keeping an eye on water conditions seems a must (but this is true in all fishkeeping.) Betta fish seem more susceptible to this fin rot than most fish mainly because they have massive beautiful fins and tails lol.

There are two types of fin rot. Bacterial Fin Rot & Fungal Fin Rot are caused by Poor Water Quality, Physical Injury, Poor Diet, Stress, and Secondary Infection.

So putting it in simple terms there are pathogens or bacteria in your tank’s water which is needed as we know but if your fish is poorly.

Or not being kept well ie not being fed or being attacked by other fish etc. Its immune system will start to fail and then the fish becomes susceptible to diseases. (Fin rot is deffo a disease) Let’s delve deeper.

IS FIN ROT CONTAGIOUS?

Yes indeed fin rot is highly contagious and if you believe a fish to have contracted fin rot it should be removed from the said tank immediately.

You should place the affected fish into a tank and place any other fish into a separate tank. Soak the gravel in hot water while cleaning the tank with hot water.

Take out all accessories and give a thorough cleaning even live plants should be washed (gently in warm water.) The plants can be left to air dry and the gravel should be siphon vacuumed to rid it of any debris that might still be lingering around.

After these steps have been done you can place it back into the tank and do a 100 % water change (der obviously right.) 

Well, some people say you only need to do a 50% water change but this would be highly irresponsible just our opinion – here at Tank0fish.

Before you put your fish back in the tank, you should use a pH test kit. To ensure the water quality is good.

The pH should be around 7-8 and the ammonia, zero nitrites, and nitrates should be no higher than 40 ppm.

Once you have confirmed the water is suitable for your fish. You can slowly add the fish back into the tank, including the fish with fin rot.

You may then add antibiotics or antifungal medication to the tank water to help kill the fin rot. Combining a clean tank and medication should help your fish get rid of the fin rot.

But how do we know our fish has fin rot? (I can hear you don’t worry we have your back) read on lol! 

BETTA’S FINS LOOK RIPPED!

The fin being ripped is a cause for concern as betta fins look ripped. I can see why people will think fin rot it’s, of course, possible the fish tore its fin on something.

Or had a fight with another fish betta fish don’t do well with anyone, to be honest (They like to fight with themselves it seems.)

We need to look at more than just possible rips in fins is what I’m getting at. Anyway on we go is the fin curling.

Deffo in betta fish fin curling is a big sign of fin rot. Also, Symptoms of Mild Fin Rot can include brown or black tips at the edges of the betta’s fins.

Jagged fin edges, whitish tips, or spots if they are infected with a fungal infection. Signs of Moderate Fin Rot can include Large Fin Reduction.

Fins Turning Black, Fin Edges Developing White Patches & Fuzzy Growth or Hairs.

Symptoms of Severe Fin Rot can include Increased deterioration of fins. Redness in the fish’s body, entire loss of fin.

Body rotting, swimming difficulty and more. So now we are getting to the crux of the problem with betta fish in mind.

As this is, after all, why we’re here betta fish white tips on fins. Not a good sign as well as any of the above so we can now identify fin rot.

Especially on betta fish which is cool. Still, we need to prevent fin rot in the first place right? If the worst-case scenario comes we need treatment there’s a treatment, right? (.)

BEST FIN ROT TREATMENT?

 

Fin rot if caught in its earliest initial stage can heal on its own. This is after a successful water change and removing any wasted food and debris.

We hear this a lot and when researching this topic I’m sure you would have heard this too. We think as we hope you do that treatment would be preferable. Even if caught in the early stages. Better safe than sorry yes.

So the best treatment for fin rot. The best is medication there are several but these are considered the best BETTAFIX.

Which can be purchased at Amazon and or in most good pet places FIN AND BODY CURE both are by API a reputable company.

So yeah medication but what if it’s in the early stages? Well, add aquarium salt to your tank this trick is known for curing all things fin rot.

And of course, step up the water changes to keep on top of things. salt should be added at one tablespoon per gallon of water.

Or one tablespoon every five liters. For more advanced cases of fin rot, you can go to two and a half tablespoons per.

Medications can have side effects the same as all meds so for really mild cases salt and water changes should be ok.

 BETTA FISH FIN ROT REGROWTH?

UNBELIEVABLE but yes betta fish will regrow their fins and tail. After surviving fin rot and or nipping fighting with each other.

Although this may take some time, there have been many instances of betta fish regrowing fins and tails within only a few weeks. Amazing I know bettas will regrow their fin tissue once it has been lost due to fin rot.

Physical injury, or tail biting. When the new fin tissue begins to grow. It often clearly resembles Saran Wrap and is very thin.

Over time the regrowth will begin to look more like regular fin tissue. Becoming thicker and regaining color, though often it will appear a different shade from the original color.

The new tissue is extremely fragile and susceptible to damage or loss. It is imperative if your betta lost the fin tissue initially due to fin rot. Caused by poor water quality, to fix the water problems and keep the tank clean while the fins are healing.

You can speed the process up by adding a stress coat (another API product) readily available add to the tank’s water and it will take out harmful chemicals and hence speed the process up to great to know.

FIN ROT PREVENTION! BETTA CARE: