Male Betta

[alcidmr]

Is hard water bad for bettas because I been having problems with fin rot I try meds mercy with ickX. I also try salt bath 1 table spoon one galong of water and he still losing parts of his tail I'm wondering if my hard water can be the problem I had him fo about 10 month ago he is eating but I can't get the fin rot ot to stop any suggestions I'm afraid I will lose him if it keeps going on.

[Lennie]

Could you please share more details for tank parameters like Ammonia/nitrite/nitrate, ph, kh , gh/tds, temperature etc

Also, @Colu

[alcidmr]

Ammonia is 0ppm 

Nitrite 0ppm

Nitrate 15 or 20 ppm 

Hardness 300 

Ph 7.4

Kh 40 to 80

[alcidmr]

Oh and Heater  at 78 to 80

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

Hi there. I don't think most of the time it should be an issue but if this is the only thing you suspect could be a problem what I might do is start mixing his tap water with spring or distilled. 300 is pretty high but I'm not sure what those effects might be - however typically they prefer softer water. 

It doesn't appear there is much in his tank he could harm himself with. 

Betta with long fins often have this issue. I would try several things but not all at once in order not to stress him and so you know what actually works. @Chick-In-Of-TheSea had some of the same issues with her Gepetto. One thing I would recommend is put a floating or attached tunnel at the top of his tank (leaving a little room for air) so he doesn't have to exit for a breath. This will give him to chance to hide from light and stressors. 

Edited March 28, 2023 by xXInkedPhoenixX

[alcidmr]

I just order some of those leaf that are brown that help with helth and tannings and I was wondering is that a good idea also to help him feel more comfortably 

Thank you @xXInkedPhoenixX

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

Yes Catappa would be good for him regardless of water parameters. They are naturally antibacterial and can help with fin problems. You can put the leaf in but don't let it decay too much since he's solo. I often brew my own leaf tea and use it in my water changes. :-) 

[alcidmr]

Oh ok thanks you @xXInkedPhoenixX

[Colu]

Indian almond leaves are really beneficial for bettas as they have antibacterial and          antifungal properties as @xXInkedPhoenixXsuggested also have you seen him nipping his own fins that is common in long fined bettas if he's flaring a lot that can stop the fins from healing  if that the case you want to add things to try and distract him like adding some floating plants add a background to the tank to cut down on reflections as he might be flaring at his own reflection add a floating log  as @xXInkedPhoenixXsuggest add some some more plants  I would also add some aquarium salt 1 table spoon for 5 gallons at that level it won't harm your plants if after a week you notice the fins getting worse then I would do a course of kanaplex it a more broad spectrum antibiotic treatment@alcidmr

Edited March 28, 2023 by Colu

[alcidmr]

No no nipping his tail or fins

Oh ok ill get some kanaplex. But is kannaplex safe for plants? 

Ok, got it thanks @Colu

[Colu]

On 3/28/2023 at 11:34 PM, alcidmr said:

No no nipping his tail or fins

Oh ok ill get some kanaplex. But is kannaplex safe for plants? 

Ok, got it thanks @Colu

I have used kanaplex in my planted tank with no problems 

[alcidmr]

Ok thank you @Colu