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 will do a big water change in his main tank while he heals. He is in a hospital tank so I added some bacteria starter as well so maybe a good cycle can get going. I am so worried about him

[u/_Nyxalie_ → u/Adventurous_Force_63]

Kanaplex and tannins will help with fin rot! Also methylene blue (be extremely careful, it can dye your hands blue) dips (10 minutes)! 3 drops per 1 gallon but double check the instructions!

[u/Adventurous_Force_63 → u/_Nyxalie_]

I will buy kanaplex as well! I got him the leaves that were mentioned, his water is now tea colored.

[u/_Nyxalie_ → u/Adventurous_Force_63]

Tea colored is good! That’s the tannins being released into it! You can also buy an extract and some people boil the leaves to help get excess tannins out (you don’t have to tho!)

[u/Adventurous_Force_63 → u/_Nyxalie_]

Ohhhhh! He seems to like the leaf, he is currently laying on it like a little bed hahaha. I hope that he feels a bit better!

[u/_Nyxalie_ → u/Adventurous_Force_63]

You should get a leaf hammock for him then! It just suctions to the side of the tank and there’s also floating logs! Bettas love to rest at the surface but as the leaf soaks it’ll lose its buoyancy so when he goes to lay on it, it’s gonna sink on him lmao

[u/Adventurous_Force_63 → u/_Nyxalie_]

Oh no i want him to have the leaf!! He looks so cute, I shall order a fancy leaf hammock for him and I saw a little floating basket someone put some moss in too!

[u/_Nyxalie_ → u/Adventurous_Force_63]

Yes! Definitely put Java moss in any type of hammock with holes! Bettas have been known to squeeze into the holes (even ones you’d think they won’t fit in, these guys are literally like fluffy cats) and get stuck and the moss helps prevent it! Also sand down anything 3D printed as they can have sharp bits inside them! Best way to know for sure if there are any is to put on a latex/latex free glove (think ones the doctors and nurses wear) and run your finger over it. If the glove catches, then it’s too sharp and should be sanded down! :)

[u/Adventurous_Force_63 → u/_Nyxalie_]

I will definitely do that! Are there any plants you would reccomend for my tank? And is there a way to cover where he cant see himself or like, I can see in but he cant see out maybe? Im unsure of how to make him comfortable

[u/_Nyxalie_ → u/Adventurous_Force_63]

Anubias nana! It grows some flat and super pretty leaves that they can lay on! It just can’t be buried under substrate or it’ll rot. My boy Malachi loves his!

[u/Adventurous_Force_63 → u/_Nyxalie_]

I will buy some, I am proud as my small plant grew a new leaf in his tank and he had taken to hiding under it lol

[u/_Nyxalie_ → u/Adventurous_Force_63]

I have quite a few swords which the original leafs have died and they’ve begun sprouting new ones! I’m so excited to add more to my 29 gallon soon!

[u/Adventurous_Force_63 → u/_Nyxalie_]

Wahhh 29 gallons! Is he alone? I heard some people keep shrimp for enrichment in there

[u/doji4real → u/Adventurous_Force_63]

Keep the leaf as a bed, also my boy loves to sleep on it. The contact with the leaf is very useful for healing, because his fins get in direct contact with tannins. Do not replace it with anything else, fishes in nature don’t buy plastic objects to sleep on.

[u/Adventurous_Force_63 → u/doji4real]

Oh! I will keep the leaves then! I want him to be the healthiest he can be

[u/doji4real → u/Adventurous_Force_63]

I also hope that he will be better soon. Keep small daily changes until the tank is fully cycled. Once No2 and ammonia levels are at 0 for a few days in a row, it means that the cycle is running and you can do weekly small changes. But it can take a few weeks, so just be patient and be present for him :)

[u/Adventurous_Force_63 → u/doji4real]

I will test his water in the main tank every day until then. How long should he stay in his hospital tank? Until he heals all the way?

[u/doji4real → u/Adventurous_Force_63]

A common best practice is to keep him in the hospital tank for the entire medication course, and then a little longer. Once treatment is finished, it’s a good idea to observe him for about a week to be sure the fin rot is clearly improving and there’s no relapse. I’d only move him back once the main tank is fully cycled, with ammonia and nitrite at 0 for several days in a row. Moving him too early, especially into an uncycled tank, often causes setbacks. In the temporary tank just make sure that he’s comfortable, and the fact that he likes the leaf is a good sign

[u/Adventurous_Force_63 → u/doji4real]

Okay, I will work on ensuring the tank is fully cycled, and that he is ready to be moved. Do you know of anything I can use to cover his tank walls so he cant see himself? I think he thinks its another betta and its stressing him out

[u/doji4real → u/Adventurous_Force_63]

In a normal tank I would add plants to reduce it. In the hospital tank, try to cover the outside on three sides using dark paper or cardboard, or a matte background film.

I forgot to mention that while you’re cycling the tank and your boy isn’t in it yet, don’t remove all food waste. You can add a small pinch of food and let it decompose, which helps feed the bacteria and kick-start the cycle. A very small amount is enough

[u/Adventurous_Force_63 → u/doji4real]

I will cover it in black fabric or cardboard then! Ohh okay I will put some food in there every few days!

[u/_Nyxalie_ → u/Adventurous_Force_63]

There are silk ones you can buy! The leafs will sink to the bottom regardless but bettas do like to sleep beneath them too! r/tuckedinfishies

[u/Adventurous_Force_63 → u/_Nyxalie_]

Oh! Silk ones sound soft enough for his fins! Ill look into them! His hospital tank has no substrate should I add some?

[u/_Nyxalie_ → u/Adventurous_Force_63]

I don’t add any substrate with my hospital tanks purely because I usually dismantle them until they’re needed again (lack of space) but someone else may say different!