Meds Required for beginning tail rot?

Question

My friend has a betta who she noticed is just starting to get tail rot. There is just a little fraying on the ends. Would it be possible for her to not have to use medication, and just do frequent water changes to get rid of the tail rot?
She was gone for almost 2 weeks and the person she got to feed it never changed the water.

Answer 1

Actually, I find the best cure for tail rot is clean water. Adding medication in such an early stage is really not that necessary. The key is to bring the betta's stress levels as low as possible, thus raising its immunity system and allowing it to combat the bacteria on its own. Medication can even stress the fish out even further, doing more harm than good.

Do regular water changes, adding half a teaspoon of aquarium salt per gallon to prevent further bacterial infection. Avoid flaring your betta, and maybe add some Black Water Extract/Indian Almond Leaves to the water. This will liken the tankwater to the water in the betta's natural habitat, lowering his stress levels.

If the situation does not improve, or deteriorates after a week, you can try some broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Answer 2

Sometimes, especially if it's a water quality issue, just keeping the water clean is enough for the betta to heal itself. Another good product if it's the beginning stages, is PimaFix. It's an herbal antibacterial that's great for fin and tail rot and minor infections like that. It can also be used with MelaFix, another similar herbal remedy, but MelaFix is more geared towards wounds/injuries.

Answer 3

Do frequent water changes and try keeping the betta in a tank with a filter, but one with a slow current especiallyif he is sick. I have had great success using Melafix for tail rot. Also, using a slightly larger tank than usual for a betta would benefit the fish.

Answer 4

The best medications for tail rot are broad spectrum antibiotics. I have seen and had good success treating tail rot with Maracyn TC (tetracycline) and Maracyn (Erythromycin). Either one should clear up the problem in a few days, but be sure to continue the treatment for a full 7 days to be sure the bacteria is removed from the tank.

Water changes will not stop the infection from spreading.

If you need more information or I can help further, please feel free to email me of visit the link on my profile.

MM

Answer 5

Hi, She needs to do a water change and add some aquarium salt to the tank.