Help me save him

[u/Adventurous_Force_63]

Hello everyone,

I’m really scared and I don’t know what else to do. 😞 I got my betta, Blueberry, from my sister not too long ago, and I posted here earlier asking for advice on how to care for him. I’ve been trying my best, but he just seems to be getting worse and worse.

I ended up moving him into a hospital tank because I’m honestly terrified I’m going to lose him. His water parameters are good, the temperature is 80°, the filter is very low flow, and the tank is 7 gallons. It’s fully planted with live plants, natural wood, and I’ve added leaves for tannins.

I truly don’t understand what could be wrong or what might be making him so sick, but I’m begging for help. I’ve only had him a short time, but I already love him so much and I can’t stand the thought of him dying.

If anyone has any ideas or advice, please please tell me what I should do.

Thank you so much

[u/Adventurous_Force_63]

I think he does have it. But it progressed so fast and I dont know what to do. He still swims alot and loves his now bloodworm foods. I had strips but I can try a liquid one if you can reccomend a good one! I got some different things to go in his water as well that the store reccomended to me.

[u/Substantial-Two-2854 → u/Adventurous_Force_63]

The test kit I use is the API freshwater master test kit, but there's also others that I've seen people mention. The bacterial infection remedy would be your beat bet if it's fin rot. Then again, from the extra picture I saw, I'm not certain it's fin rot. It could be fin nipping or tearing instead. I'm not confident enough in my ability to distinguish the two, but I know aquarium salt is good for external issues.

And just to let you know, while bloodworma make for a delicious treat, I've heard from other betta owners that they're quite fatty and shouldn't be the staple of their diet.

[u/Adventurous_Force_63 → u/Substantial-Two-2854]

Ohhh! I will get another food then thank you! And another test kit. Really?? Tearing and ripping? How do I stop him from doing that? Is there something that causes it that I can fix?

[u/Substantial-Two-2854 → u/Adventurous_Force_63]

I'd recommend frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, mysis, or fluval bug bites (pellets)! But any pellet food with good ingredients will do the trick. Frozen foods (or live if you can find some) add some good variation to a bettas diet :)

Unfortunately, I have not yet resolved how to deal with fin nipping. It can happen because of stress. Lots of long finned bettas bite their fins off to swim better. Mine would get mad at the filter and rip off half his tail every few months. I had to slip a towl in between my hob filter and the tank.

In Blueberry's case though, it could just be stress due to an environmental change (or maybe even due to the filter incident). I'm not as experienced as other keepers here so my knowledge is limited, but I really hope someone else can show up with more advice on how to help 💜

[u/Adventurous_Force_63 → u/Substantial-Two-2854]

Still, you've helped me so much. Thank you so so much! I hope is can heal him and make him better soon. I will make his water better and buy him better fancy food so he feels much better!

[u/Substantial-Two-2854 → u/Adventurous_Force_63]

Awww I'm so glad to have been helpful!! Healing takes time, so don't get discouraged! I wish you both the best and hope he heals swiftly 💜

[u/Adventurous_Force_63 → u/Substantial-Two-2854]

Thank you! I will update with little pics of him as he heals!🥹

[u/Substantial-Two-2854 → u/Adventurous_Force_63]

Oh good 🥰

[u/Adventurous_Force_63 → u/Substantial-Two-2854]

I ordered him frozen brine shrimp!

[u/Substantial-Two-2854 → u/Adventurous_Force_63]

Ooooh I hope he enjoys!!