My BETTA is sick... What do I do???

Question

My Betta's fins are rotting and withering away. He is a male and ive had him for 8 months. He is alone in a fish bowl. I dont know why his beautiful fins are crumblind away???

Answer 1

Fin rot is a gram-negative bacterial infection usually caused by poor water conditions. It is probably the number one most common betta ailment and chances are if you own bettas you will eventually deal with fin rot. Fin rot is most common in uncycled tanks where bettas are exposed to ammonia or nitrite. It can be caused by elevated nitrate levels in cycled tanks and may be caused by fluctuating temperatures and pH levels as well. Essentially, these toxins or fluctuations stress the betta, weakening his immune system, leaving him susceptible to bacterial infections.


The most common signs of fin rot are a rapid loss of fin tissue, bloody fin tips or blackened fin edges. In darker colored bettas these symptoms may be difficult to spot. Upon speculation of fin rot you should immediately check your water parameters to determine the origin. Successfully curing fin rot is dependent on fixing the cause. Check for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph and temperature. The ammonia and nitrite levels should be at 0 ppm [parts per million] and nitrate should be under 20 ppm, maximum. The pH levels and water temperature should be stable with little or no fluctuation from the days before. Remember, toxins like ammonia and nitrite become exponentially more significant in alkaline water [pH above 7.0] and thus much more dangerous and likely to stress your betta. This doesn't mean you have to bring the pH down. Drastically adjusting the pH could cause more stress. It's far better to leave the pH stable and to maintain little or no toxins in the water instead. While your betta has fin rot, it is helpful to increase the frequency of your water changes and add ammonia or nitrite neutralizers, like Kordon’s AmQuel-Plus, if necessary.


If the fin rot is not severe, meaning there is still more then 1/2 of the fin left, then usually clean water and careful observation will due as treatment. It's crucial that the betta not be exposed to any toxins while healing from the disease. New fin growth is very fragile and it's not uncommon to have several relapses after healing begins. You may also notice the fins grow back slightly curled. While this doesn't always occur it is normal and in no way hurts the fish.


If you suspect the fin rot is severe the betta may need your help to recover through use of medication and clean water. Because fin rot is bacterial in nature you will need a gram-negative antibiotic. I recommend Mardel's Maracyn-Two [Minocycline] or if quite severe you may want to use Kanacyn [Kanamiacyn] or an equivalent wide spectrum antibiotic. As mentioned before, all the antibiotics in the world won't cure your betta if the cause is not corrected. Be sure to test your water and make any changes as necessary.

Use caution when selecting a medication for your betta. Avoid any herbal tonics or remedies that contain Melaleuca like Melafix or Bettafix. These medications are mostly antiseptics and may help fin regeneration after the bacterial infection has cleared but will do little to help initially. If your betta is sick enough to need a real antibiotic then give him one.

Answer 2

You betta probaly has fin rot a common condition in Bettas, my fish had it and it is easy to cure:
1) Clean the tank every other day
2) Put the pellets that are desinged to amke a shiny healthy coat in the water
3) Feed only 1piece of food every other day, too muz left overs in the water causes bacteria
good luck

Answer 3

Buy MelaFix it will cure that don't do a water change until after the treatment and do a 25% one the directions are on the bottle

Answer 4

Sounds like tail rot. There are the sulfer pills you drop into the water. Check with the pet store workers, they would know.

Answer 5

your fish is infected and you may want to change the water to the right temp and make sure you have the right water treatments for a betta and do you have a bubble machine?

Answer 6

1.go to the store and buy some good food to keep betas healthy
2. change his water and clean his tank
3.thats all i got!!

good luck!!♥

Answer 7

He probably has a bacterial infection or a fungus. (poor guy) HAve you ever changed his water?