BeetleLann
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Posts posted by BeetleLann
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Time flew by, and I haven’t been active in many months, but today (August 18th) marks one year to the day I signed up for the forum 🙂
thank you aquarium co-op!
I’m sorry I was inactive for a bit but I am happy to be back (with lots of questions!)
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25 minutes ago, ange said:
It's hard to suggest that you use meds if we don't know what really wrong with his fins. Fin damage on a betta can come from several sources, like fin rot, tail biting, and fin nipping from tank mates. If possible, please share some photos so that people here can try to help you with the information!
For now, keep him isolated and keep the water as clean as possible while the tank is cycling. You can also seed filter media from your cycled tank to help the population of beneficial bacteria in your hospital tank. If your ammonia spikes you can dose Prime to bind the ammonia which will reduce the stress it puts on your betta, though this is likely unnecessary as you'll be performing frequent water changes.
Aquarium salt is a good general treatment if you're unsure what specifically is ailing your betta, just keep in mind that it will not evaporate from the water so can only be removed through water changes. It also will not prevent him from tail biting if that is what caused them to be unwell in the first place, though it can aid the healing process.
Hi Ange,
Thank you for your reply! I feel reassured about keeping him in the separated tank. To be honest with you, I assumed the tank was cycled because I used filter media from the larger tank. Oopsies.
I've shared some photos on previous posts, but I'll admit the quality is lacking lol Given that the fin damage began a while before tank mates were introduced, I don't think they caused it, but could have contributed. I'll keep up with the water changes and aquarium salt.Thanks again and best of health to you,
Lanna
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17 minutes ago, Alexa said:
What size is the hospital tank?
Keep in mind I’ve never owned a betta but this is what I personally would do.
I would keep him in the hospital tank but bring down that PH; 8.2 seems really high for a betta... throw in an almond leaf, or roobios tea, etc... I would keep a close eye on ammonia and nitrates while it finishes cycling and continue to treat with salt. I’d cut down on feeding and keep up with water changes until the cycle is complete.
Hey Alexa, thank you for replying 🙂
Hospital tank is 5G. I have copious almond leaves, a driftwood log and half a coconut shell to help release tannins to bring down the pH. Would you recommend using a pH lowering product? I have one, but I am reluctant to use it. 😕
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On 8/27/2020 at 6:53 PM, Lizzie Block said:
@BeetleLann Girl, I understand this all too well. I'm a renter too and have been moving around like crazy for years. It's honestly so stressful and having an extra thing to worry about makes it even more difficult. So, definitely don't beat yourself up about it. You are doing the absolute best things you can for your little guy, so keep that in mind!!
Whenever I'm moving, I always just have some supplies ready to go so that I can get my fish into a stable (ish) environment right off the bat. Even before moving couches and boxes. My moving kit for my betta is just a 5 gallon tank, dechlor, bottle of Fluval bug bites (his fave), heater, filter/air stone and a couple fake plants. It's always packed last so it's easily accessible. He's still living in there about 3 weeks after our move lol.
Ways to tell if it's not fin rot? I think behavior is a big one... With all my cases of fin rot in bettas, it seems that they still act and swim fairly normally even though they're losing fins. I've also lost a betta to dropsy and there was a huge difference in behavior. Diseases like velvet and ich (similar symptoms to what you've described with loss of color and white spots) are caused by protozoa which actually can normally live in our aquariums without issue. The unfortunate part is that they mainly become problematic with stress. Watch him for awhile around his tank - is he active or just sitting near the bottom or top? Does he repeatedly rub up against decor or glass? Is he eating? If you're also seeing behavioral issues, you may possibly be looking at something other than just fin rot.
Betta Revive contains chemicals called malachite green and methylene blue - Api's melafix and pimafix. I believe malachite green is in Ich-x too. Known to help treat both ich and velvet, so if your diagnosis is correct, you are on the right path!
My suspicion is that he's struggling with some secondary issues based on the stress of moving 😞 Keep up on water changes and take things one day at a time especially after your next move this weekend. You got this!!!
Hey Lizzie, I am sorry for the very late reply! I just started grad school and things have been hectic here.
I just want to thank you for replying to me, and again apologize for taking eons to get back to you. A kind lady in Boston is going to send me some meds from the States, so I am hoping this will resolve the underlying issues.
Wishing you all the best ❤️
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On 8/28/2020 at 2:02 PM, JessR said:
For some of them I definitely think it's just an anxious/neurotic habit they have. Just like you, I had tried different things to stop mine from fin biting, but nothing seemed to help (the blue one I posted a picture of). I took the picture not long after I moved him to a bigger tank. He stopped biting for a few weeks, which is why it was regrowing, but then he started again. It really sucked because he had a gorgeous spade tail. I have one now that fin bites is a gold veiltail. They are both from the same store chain so I feel like it might be something from their supplier's line.
I'm definitely interested to see if certain colors and tail types are more prone to fin biting as well, because I think it might be a genetic trait. I haven't actually looked if anyone has studied it. I wonder if breeders keep records of this stuff. Maybe we could make a poll?
I would be quite interested in this poll! Did you make one?
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On 8/28/2020 at 1:49 PM, JessR said:
From what you've said here and in your other longer post (I went back to re-read it), I honestly think he may have just ripped his fins. For whatever reason some just don't regrow their fins. The white you are seeing may just be scar tissue. If fin rot had caused that much damage, he would most likely behave differently. Some people recommend daily flare sessions for fin health as it promotes blood flow to the fins. I'm not sure if it would help, but if it is something you are comfortable with trying it may help them regrow.
I might be wrong and it could be fin rot, or a chance that he may have had a secondary infection from fin damage. But I think your treatment has probably cleared that up by now. If you stop treatment and the fins start to deteriorate again, it probably is fin rot. But it sounds like you are taking good care of him!
It can be hard to tell what is wrong with these guys, so it is always our best guess. There's always something to learn, which is what is so great about this hobby! I'd love to hear an update in a few weeks. Good luck!
Hey, thanks for your reply. And I am sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you! I just started grad school and things have been a bit hectic.
I really appreciate your input. All the best to you!
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I introduced my betta to a hospital tank that I thought was cycled when it in fact was not. Is it safe to keep him there?
Temporary Betta Tank: pH. is high, 8.2-8.4; ammonia is 0.25ppm; nitrite 0.25ppm; nitrate is low, just under 5.0ppm. Yes heater, preset to 78F. Yes sponge filter.
Backstory: Betta was moved in mid-August from 10G community tank because something is not right with his fins (albeit they were not pretty well before tank mates were introduced earlier this summer). I moved the last weekend of August, kept him in the plastic tank until present day. I have been doing daily to every every other water changes and treating with aquarium salt, but I have not been testing. I realize I should have tested sooner, life has just been life... busy and overwhelming.
Betta's fins are not improving. A kind lady in Boston is mailing me some meds I cannot get here in Canada. They should arrive by the end of the week.
But I don't know if I should keep him in the isolated tank.
My question is: should I try the new meds and keep him isolated in the tank that is not quite cycled, or should I return him to the larger tank where water parameters are cycled but there are other fish in the tank? I have 3 corycats, 1 baby pleco, several cherry shrimp, and a nail, and I just worried he was stressed from overcrowding, which is why I moved him into a hospital tank after watching @Irene's video on hospital tanks.
Thank you in advance. I don't know what I'm doing 😞
#newtofishcare #quarantinehobby #novice #newbie
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18 hours ago, Lizzie Block said:
Omg @BeetleLann I'm so sorry for missing your post! I hope your little guy is doing well. If he is a veil tail like you mentioned, my suspicion would be fin rot... His affected area looks similar to my fish. For some reason, his bottom fin always stays totally in tact, but it's his tail that we were losing. I actually had a recurrence where my fish lost all the new growth on his tail again because I stuck him in a bag to transport him across the country with me for a week. He did not appreciate it, but he's doing absolutely excellent now a couple weeks later.
I saw someone suggested Indian Almond Leaves - we sell them at the Co-Op and you can buy them virtually anywhere at a fish store. I have been putting a couple in his tank to decompose and release all those good chemicals to promote healing. It really seems to be working well combined with water changes every 3-4 days or so. I've also been feeding a wider mix of foods, some live, frozen and dried. A varied diet really helps too to build strength and I'd recommend it if your fish is still taking food.
I would suggest treating with meds as a last resort if he's still eating and swimming around normally. If not, Erythromycin, Maracyn or Furan 2 for bacterial diseases. Ich x if it's fungal. It's usually hard to tell until you start treating. BUT, if he's still healthy otherwise, it's probably a water quality or stress issue. Salt, water changes, Indian Almond Leaves, varied foods, limit outside stimuli. Emphasis on water changes lol I also keep a gentle sponge filter running and live plants to keep the water oxygen-rich.
Let me know how everything is going!! I've got eyeballs on your post now haha. Best of luck ❤️
Hey @Lizzie Blockno worries! We all get busy. My guy is doing okay, but there's been a lot of stressors in his life lately, so he doesn't look great, either. I must say, though, your statement about his fins and the bottom being fine but the tail being the worst is SO ACCURATE. That perfectly sums up my guy's fins, too. I won't be moving my guy quite as far as you did, but we had to move houses within the city this week, and this weekend we're moving again an hour away. I feel like a bad fish mom for getting him while renting and not in a stable housing situation. I'll probably be moving again within the next 4 months.
And thanks for the product suggestions! I have a bunch of almond leaves in the tank, maybe too many? I don't know. I will continue trying to mix up his diet.Gonna keep trying all the other suggestions! They're basically what I've been doing (Water changes, aquarium salt, almond leaves, driftwood, coconut shells), but again, the moving situation is probably very stressful for him (and me, too!).
Any ideas how to tell if it isn't fin rot? I'm thinking maybe velvet, but at present I don't have great lighting. It just seems to me his colour is less vibrant. I've also noticed a couple white dots appearing on his face, but those disappear when I treat with Betta Revive (http://www.hikariusa.com/wp/solutions/healthaid/betta-revive/).
Thanks for everything, I'll keep you updated, and keep me posted on your situation, too! I love knowing you had difficulties, but have found ways to work through them and see improvement.
All the best, Lanna
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11 hours ago, Nickyjax said:
Whatever your issue is, I do hope you find the reason and solution if there is one. I have a “self grooming”betta. My beautiful deep blue little guy named “Levi” unfortunately looks as terrible as a preschooler who took the scissors to their own head. I hate that he does this to himself but I have tried everything recommended to me such as rearranging his tank and engaging him in activity for exercise. He has pristine quality water that I obsessively keep on top of. It appears that I just have a neurotic fish. I would be curious to know if certain colors or tail types experience this more then others. It seems most of the folks who post pictures of their fin biters are blue. Any scientific data out there?
@NickyjaxYour description of the child with scissors is both hilarious and a surprisingly accurate description of my betta, too! I guess if the fish has to be stuck with a neurotic owner (aka me because of how much I obsess over him), it stands to reason that I should also be stuck with a neurotic fish haha
And fascinating to read your statement about blue bettas and fin nipping. I'd be eager to hear more, too.
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On 8/25/2020 at 6:22 PM, JessR said:
I'm leaning more toward fin rot from the pictures, but it is hard to tell. From my experience, fin biting tends to make more uniform edges/edges that follow a pattern, while fin rot tends to be more ragged/does not follow a pattern.
These questions might help you narrow down the cause:
Do the edges where there is damage look inflamed or like they have something growing on them? If it is fin rot the edges will look inflamed (or if it is caused by a fungus the edges will be white/fuzzy). Typically edges from fin biting will look relatively normal and not have any change of color.
How long have his fins been like this, and has the damage progressed or stayed the same? If the damage keeps moving closer to his body it is most likely fin rot, but if it is not and has stayed the same, it could be fin biting.
Does the damage always stop at the same point? This is kind of a follow up question from the previous one, typically fin biting damage will only reach a certain point. It won't go past where the betta can reach. Also the damage will typically only be on the tail.
Has his behavior changed? If it is fin rot, he might be acting lethargic or sick. If it is fin biting, his behavior will most likely be normal, and sometimes you can catch them doing it (it looks like they might be twisting and rubbing themselves on the substrate or decorations).
I'll attach photos of some of my own fish as examples. The one with the koi pattern had a bad case of fin rot when I bought him. The edges look red/irritated and the damage doesn't follow a pattern. Also all of his fins are affected. The metallic one developed a bad tail biting habit. The photo was taken during a healing period, but you can see that the damage stopped at a certain point (it didn't go past where he couldn't reach) and followed a pattern. Only his tail was really affected.
Hey @JessR and thanks for responding to my post and your patience with my low quality photos. I can't quite confirm that my betta's fins look comparable to either of yours, but if I had to guess, I'd say it looks more like the first photo you posted.
To answer your questions:
- It's difficult to tell if the fins are inflamed; the colours seem uniform, but he is a dark blue so perhaps I am mistaken and just can't see any inflamation. Some of the stringier bits have white tissue on the tips. An associate at my local store said the white is possibly regrowth? It does not look like the regrowth on your betta in the first photo.
- I believe I first noticed how raggedy his fins look approximately one month after COVID shut down everything. For the most part they have looked long, thin, and frayed since then, however, I do occasionally notice his fins are shorter.
- I would estimate the damage is about 1/2 - 3/4 the way up his tail and does not appear to be closer to his body. It looks as if someone took scissors and cut his tail into shreds or ribbons. That's the best way I can describe the issue. As you said in your post, the damage does not follow a pattern.
- Not once has he seem lethargic or uninterested in food. He will always greet me when I come to see him. He have a ravenous appetite, and at one point I had to treat him for constipation. He also eats algae wafers that I put in the tank for the corydoras. I believe he picked up the behaviour from them. He is now fed every other day lol
- He does like to hide in the plants, but I don't believe I have ever seen him intentionally rubbing against anything in the tank. My driftwood is fairly gnarly-looking, however, so maybe that is damaging him. I've wondered this before.
- In addition, I one found an approximately 5-10mm long piece of fin on the bottom of my tank. It was as bright blue as he is. I assumed it was ripped off by something, or he bit off a chunk? I do not have aggressive tank mates, either.
Given your questions and my responses, I'm starting to think he's eating himself or there's some other kind of infection going on.
Again, thanks for your reply, and wishing you and your fishy friends best of health 🙂
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On 8/21/2020 at 1:37 PM, yannachka said:
id bump up the temp to 80 to speed up healing. its hard to tell in the photos but if its bad id treat with erythromycin to kill off the bacterial infection. usually clean water, warm temps, and catappa leaves are enough but if its bad some meds will help it heal faster.
Thank you @yannachka for suggestion! Do you, or anyone else, know of ways to increase the temp of a preset heater? I own 3, but all are set to turn off when the water reaches 78F.
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Thoughts on this product?
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1 hour ago, Mr. Ed's Aquatics said:
I've had shrimp get into the HOB, but not thru the intake as I run sponges. But sounds like so did you. Shrimp are little escapist, if you have something they can climb and don't have the lid sealed, some will get out. I've found them on the lid, floor, HOB, etc.
Now I keep them in tanks that either have a canister or just sponges. And cut the plastic back strips to only allow tubing thru.
Your response is very helpful and reassuring. I think it may have climbed up a pothos that I have growing out of the tank. Lesson learned; my next project is getting the pothos potted. Thank you. 😀
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On 8/19/2020 at 7:55 AM, Rikostan said:
I've been married to an awesome woman for almost 30 years, have three great kids who I love to be around, three great dogs too. I have a ton of hobbies and besides some chronic health issues, I've been blessed with a pretty good life.
I'm saying there are a lot of positives in my life and lots to be happy and excited about, but lately nothing makes me more excited than this...
This is so wholesome!!!
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5 minutes ago, Cory said:
My advice is always use what ya have first. Being that you're new, it's good to experience with things. Everyone will have preferences. While I love mexican food, you may like Italian. What can help prevent fish and shrimp getting sucked in is called a in take or pre filter sponge. We sell them and you size them to the filter size, my best guess is a medium would serve you well as it fits the most filter. It just goes around where the water gets sucked in.
https://www.aquariumcoop.com/collections/sponge-filters/products/medium-pre-filter-sponge
Thanks, Cory! I have something similar already but perhaps it is too small. Do you guys ship to Canada? Would love to support the store.
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As I am new to this hobby, I realize there is a lot I have yet to learn. At present, I have a 10G aquarium with a HOB filter. Last night I found one of my cherry shrimp had gotten into the canister (if that is the correct term), and died. I assume fish death is just part of the hobby, but I wish to learn how to minimize this reality, if possible. The intake is covered by a foam sleeve of sorts, so I am not sure how the shrimp got into the filter.
How I can prevent this from happening again? I tried asking this question to a FB group I am part of, but they would not let me post because I attached a photo of the dead shrimp. Furthermore, should I move to a sponge filter? A clerk at my local store said it wasn't necessary because it would make my tank look cluttered, but my gut says I should not have listened to him.
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2 minutes ago, Mr. Ed's Aquatics said:
The way it's splitting and how much looks like fin rot. I would treat with aquarium salts and cattapa leaves, daily or every other day water changes. It takes em a while to bounce back if it gets really bad.
Thank you, I will look into purchasing those leaves. For now he has almond leaves and aquarium salt. And thanks for sharing the name of the banana plant, I love it. Take care!
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Just now, Mr. Ed's Aquatics said:
No problem, I got both of mine as veil tail also. They looked similar when they were small, but the one I posted was definitely a crowntail. At least one was a veil tail.
He is a very handsome fish! And may I ask what plant that is to the right of him? The one that looks like a bunch of mini bananas.
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23 minutes ago, Mr. Ed's Aquatics said:
What do you think is wrong with him? You're not talking about how his fins look shredded right? He's a crowntail so hes supposed to look like that.
If he's looking I'll or like his slime coat is gone, use Cattapa leaves.
Maybe fin rot, maybe nipping. I am honestly not sure. His fins didn't look like this when I purchased him, and the label said veil tail, so I'm wondering if I am doing something wrong to cause him stress and fin loss, perhaps. But maybe he was mislabelled, and is a crown tail, and I'd trust your input more than mine because I am new to the hobby.
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11 minutes ago, Mr. Ed's Aquatics said:
Your longer post shows a bit better angles. He does look like an adult crowntail, but he doesn't look like a healthy one. He should have a much thicker tail at the base before any runners. I'd guess he's got fin rot or some other opportunistic disease.
Here's a link for a Co op video that might help you.
https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/fin-rot
Good luck
I purchased him as a "veil tail", but I've wondered that, too. Thanks for your reply, the link is very helpful! 🙂
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Just now, Tre said:
Cuttlebone is white. I would say Indian Almond leaf from the first pic but the second pic is more confusing.... Where did you order it? What was the package of items labeled as?
Unfortunately, no labels. My plant guy was recommended me to by a friend-of-a-friend and he's definitely a small business. He threw in a bunch of extras like cholla wood, things that look like the tops of pinecones, and other organic/ plant material that I don't know the names of, sadly. This particular item is very thick, maybe a pod of some sort?
Thanks for your reply!
(pic shown as example of some of the items)
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As a brand new member, I like this idea because I'm not entirely sure where to post my questions! I've posted in diseases, general diss., and photos. And it feels like I'm all over the place 😕
7 minutes ago, Tre said:I wandered on to look at things and realized how quick some pages are filling up.
i was wondering if you wanted to break ground into new discussions.
Equipment? Reviews, questions, suggestionsPlants, Livestock, Tanks (new setups, reviews, questions, suggestions)
I would keep general discussion but I was just thinking us tech nerds and those looking for new/good stuff could easily find it.
Also a sub to discuss Plants specifically would be hot.... the other, livestock would be cool....Those seem to be the biggest areas that pop up and I’m not an expert but not on constantly so I might miss a great topic.
Oh and please pin aquarium memes. Lol -
I don't think it's cuddlebone!!!
Came with a plant order in a baggie of dried leaves and woods. Was brown and light before adding to water. It floats, smells like sulphur, and grew biofilm at the same time as the new spiderwood I added to the tank did.
FB says animal material. I don't think it is??? 🤔 They also say to throw it out. Should I???
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Sorry the quality is 💩 because poor lighting, I am not a great photographer, and my betta never stays put long enough for me to snap his pic lol
PS: I made a long post about my struggles with this guy earlier today, if you wanna read it. I'm trying to help him and I feel bad about how he looks, and I want to learn what to do/ not to do, so that's why I'm here. He is currently being treated with daily water changes and aquarium salt. I have a heater in his hospital tank that keeps his water at 78F, and if that's too cool, please help me learn how to make the water better for him (I hope I don't have to buy a new filter, I have 3, but I will if it is necessary). The long post talks in detail about parameters, but td;lr they're good.
Thanks,
Lanna
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Scuds: What are your thoughts?
in General Discussion
Posted
Hello CARE Friends,
Alanna from Canada here.
I'm still quite new to the hobby, and I'm searching to learn more about scuds. I'm posting on this forum because this community is the most receptive and knowledgeable that I've across! I've done some reading on scuds here and there, and overall, I do not think they are harmful to an aquarium. However, I think I have an infestation in my 10 gallon planted betta tank. They're all up in the substrate and filter media. I do not like them, per se, but I feel bad killing them. I have been reducing feeding to try and cut back on the amount of waste they could be feeding on, but they seem to be thriving.
What do you guys think about scuds? Any recommendations on how I should handle this situation? Thanks :)