Recurring Betta and snail issues

[Kerry]

• pH: 7.5
• Nitrates: 0 ppm
• Hardness: 180 ppm
• Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Ammonia: Unknown - kit ordered
• KH/Buffer: 120 ppm
• Water Temperature: 81F

Three gallon tank, filtered, heated. 50% water change monthly with gravel vacuum (nitrates/trites always "0 ppm" according to strips). Fake plants/decor. Filter inserts changed monthly. Single male betta and sometimes a snail companion. Mainly betta pellets (never more given than he will eat) with occasional blood worm treats (1-3x a week). Flow from filter is partially blocked with plant decor to try and keep the current low.

I have two (possibly related or not) issues:

1) I have had both a mystery snail and a nerite snail now in the tank - both acquired when quite tiny. Both have died after growing to near adult size (after several months). There seems to be plenty of algae in the tank but I have supplmented occasionally with algae thins if things seem "too clean". I am mystified why both these otherwise active and growing snails suddenly stopped moving one day, remained alive but motionless for weeks and then finally perished. 

2) My Betta (Freddie) seems to keep getting fin rot (maybe columnaris??). The first time it happened he had injured a fin on a decoration (since discarded and new decor all touted as "betta safe"). Shortly after that appeared fully healed he started getting red streaks in his fins accompanied with a very slight shredded appearance. I treated him with Bettafix as directed and he seemed to get better. Now just recently after at least a few months since the last incident he has developed a whitish patch on his back on the left side and started to look shredded up and red again - much worse than before. He is also acting strangely (lying on the heater or ground under a leaf which is not his normal m.o., quit making bubble nests, occasionally zipping crazily around the tank) despite maintaining a very good appetite (eats normally and with vigor). 

Does anyone know what might be the issue(s) and if the two are related? Often seems something "goes wrong" shortly after a water change too. Are there other contaminants to check for? I am using city water that has sat out for a month in a special jug for the tank and I also add some conditioner just in case. I gently scoop him out into the cup he came in while cleaning the tank (no contact) and slowly ease him back into the tank when done to prevent water/temperature shock.

Last night I started treating the tank with acquarium salt 1 tsp/gallon. Any advice or ideas on what is the problem(s) and how to solve it/them and keep it from returning would be greatly appreciated! 

 

[Colu]

The white patch looks like an injury what I would do is keep the salt at 1 table spoon for 1 gallon for a week and add some Indian almond leaves as they have antibacterial and antifungal properties depending on the quality of leaves you might have to add one leaf per gallon and I would also do a course of kanaplex am going to tag @Guppysnail has more experience with snails 

[Guppysnail]

Welcome to the forum. My name is Kerry also 🤗

I am sorry you are having issues with your aquatic friends. 

Nerites eat almost constantly while awake. Your tank is lovely but I do not see enough algae to sustain a nerite. You can supplement nerites with blanched veggies. Green beans, zucchini and many others. 
Mystery snails do not consume a lot of algae at all. They need regular feeding the same as fish. You can do wafers and as the veggies for your nerite soften they will eat those as well. 
We never know how old snails are when we get them. Size does not determine age. Food availability determines size so it’s possible age played a role in however I suspect there is not enough to eat in your tank especially since there is no extra food being missed by your betta. 
Snails need calcium in their diet and in the water. As long as you have some gh and a ph over 7 the water is fine. Many foods have calcium or you can make your own. 
 

I will tag @Chick-In-Of-TheSea so they can chime in. Many links to care and foods in their signature. 

 

Also you want to test for ammonia regularly as well. Fish and snails are sensitive to ammonia. Adding extra foods for the snails could cause ammonia to increase. 

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

I agree with @Colu's treatment. Bettas love Indian almond leaves. Their natural environment has a lot of tannins.  You can add the leaves as @Colu suggested but you can also make a "tea" with them. Just boil 3 leaves in a pot of water and let that sit til it cools to room temp (I let mine sit overnight to try to get it as dark as possible), and then add some of that tea into your tank.  If you make the tea, the tannins get into the water column faster.  Leaves in the water will release the tannins over time; it doesn't take too long.  Either way, it will help the betta, along with the salt.  With salt, I would recommend testing the water for ammonia daily.  Sometimes you can get a reading when using salt. I see you ordered a test kit, so you're on the right track! Anything above 0, you'll want to do a water change.  A dechlorinator that detoxifies ammonia is recommended as well.  It's good to have on hand, just in case. I use Seachem Prime. 

 Mystery snail care sheet 👇

[Kerry]

Thank you all for your insights! I can't seem to find Kanaplex anywhere so I am not sure it is available here (I'm in Canada)? I can get the leaves though so will try those! Will also let the tank be dirtier with the next snail and try some extra feeding too. Thanks again!

Edited June 15, 2023 by Kerry

[Colu]

On 6/15/2023 at 5:16 PM, Kerry said:

Thank you all for your insights! I can't seem to find Kanaplex anywhere so I am not sure it is available here (I'm in Canada)? I can get the leaves though so will try those! Will also let the tank be dirtier with the next snail and try some extra feeding too. Thanks again!

In Canada kanaplex and other antibiotic treatment aren't available unless you see a vet Keep up with salt and Indian almond leaves update in week or sooner if he get worse 

[Kerry]

Update:

 After 7 days of salt and water changes (being careful to only add back the salt that was removed) Freddie looked super bad. He spent all his time lying on the bottom with occasional mad bonking and streaking around the tank and even looked dead at times. I nearly euthanized him (clove oil) on June 20th. SO glad I didnt because I started adding Bettafix as directed along with daily water changes and saw almost immediate improvement. This morning he is back at the top of the tank and was willing to eat after 4 days of looking like death!!! His colour looks better and he is now "upright" although still prone to some frightened zooming in the aquarium if I startle him in even the smallest way. 

Not sure if it was the salt and he was about to turn the corner anyway or if it was the Bettafix. Kind of thinking the latter as I had used it before with rapid success. Also, I think I may have identified the stressor in my tank. Having not kept fish since I was a girl I was not aware of the chloramine now used in many water treatment plants now (instead of chlorine) that does not evaporate off nearly as well. I think my jug of untreated but rested water and substandard-addition of treatment drops was just good enough to not kill him but was providing continuous stress (sorry Freddie and snails Dart and Zipziggity!!! 😞 ). So I am adding proper amounts of conditioner every time now.

Fingers crossed this is the end of all the trouble! Thanks all for your compassion and willingness to assist. I will post a pic when he (hopefully soon) is back to his normal glory. 

Edited June 22, 2023 by Kerry

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

4 minutes ago, Kerry said:

Update:

 After 7 days of salt and water changes (being careful to only add back the salt that was removed) Freddie looked super bad. He spent all his time lying on the bottom with occasional mad bonking and streaking around the tank and even looked dead at times. I nearly euthanized him (clove oil) on June 20th. SO glad I didnt because I started adding Bettafix as directed along with daily water changes and saw almost immediate improvement. This morning he is back at the top of the tank and was willing to eat after 4 days of looking like death!!! His colour looks better and he is now "upright" although still prone to some frightened zooming in the cage if I startle him in even the smallest way. 

Not sure if it was the salt and he was about to turn the corner anyway or if it was the Bettafix. Kind of thinking the latter as I had used it before with rapid success. Also, I think I may have identified the stressor in my tank. Having not kept fish since I was a girl I was not aware of the chloramine now used in many water treatment plants now (instead of chlorine) that does not evaporate off nearly as well. I think my jug of untreated but rested water and substandard-addition of treatment drops was just good enough to not kill him but was providing continuous stress (sorry Freddie and snails Dart and Zipziggity!!! 😞 ). So I am adding proper amounts of conditioner every time now.

Fingers crossed this is the end of all the trouble! Thanks all for your compassion and willingness to assist. I will post a pic when he (hopefully soon) is back to his normal glory. 

This is wonderful news!  Sometimes it's hard to pinpoint the cause.  Good to know about the Bettafix.  I guess it lived up to its name eh?  It fixed the betta! lol

Edited June 22, 2023 by Chick-In-Of-TheSea