Severe fin rot and loss of scales

[Justnotrook]

Recently I rescued two bettas from petco, and they are not doing well. One of the bettas has severe fin rot and almost has no fins left, while the other has lost scales. I was going to get some Indian almond leaves for them, but my LFS was out. 
 

Water parameters:

Nitrates: 0 PPM

Nitrites: 0 PPM

PH: 6.5

KH: 40 PPM

General hardness: 30 PPM

water temp: 80°F

 

I am medicating them with kanaplex, methylene blue, aquarium salt, focus, and even some stress coat, which is not much of a medication. I am doing water changes daily.

[Tony s]

If you followed the kanaplex label to the letter, give them some time for it to work. You can actually do too much at one time and cause too much stress. The indian almond leaves would be great. maybe 1 per gallon for now. Try amazon if you can't get them anywhere else. You can also try a bit of aquarium salt. Maybe 1 tablespoon for 3-5 gallons. remembering to only add more salt during a water change and only to the volume of water you add. Salt doesn't evaporate, so you can overload on it if not careful.

You can also try some frozen blood worms to stimulate their appetite. And above all else, remember that these fish were already in trouble before you tried to help. Unfortunately, there may not have been much you could have done for them. But you tried.  

[Justnotrook]

On 9/30/2024 at 7:11 PM, Tony s said:

If you followed the kanaplex label to the letter, give them some time for it to work. You can actually do too much at one time and cause too much stress. The indian almond leaves would be great. maybe 1 per gallon for now. Try amazon if you can't get them anywhere else. You can also try a bit of aquarium salt. Maybe 1 tablespoon for 3-5 gallons. remembering to only add more salt during a water change and only to the volume of water you add. Salt doesn't evaporate, so you can overload on it if not careful.

You can also try some frozen blood worms to stimulate their appetite. And above all else, remember that these fish were already in trouble before you tried to help. Unfortunately, there may not have been much you could have done for them. But you tried.  

Already put aquarium salt in, and followed the kanaplex instructions accordingly.

[Tony s]

On 9/30/2024 at 9:50 PM, Justnotrook said:

Already put aquarium salt in, and followed the kanaplex instructions accordingly.

So now, just patience. It’s tough, but it’s all on their bodies now. Garlic guard will enhance their food. And the blood worms 

[Justnotrook]

On 9/30/2024 at 7:58 PM, Tony s said:

So now, just patience. It’s tough, but it’s all on their bodies now. Garlic guard will enhance their food. And the blood worms 

All I have on me is freeze dried at the moment. Should I pick up some frozen ones?

[Tony s]

On 9/30/2024 at 9:59 PM, Justnotrook said:

Should I pick up some frozen ones?

Possibly. Are they eating well? Frozen might be better tasting. Or soaking food in garlic guard 

[Justnotrook]

On 9/30/2024 at 9:08 PM, Tony s said:

Possibly. Are they eating well? Frozen might be better tasting. Or soaking food in garlic guard 

I do soak food in garlic guard, but they don’t seem to like freeze dried. Gonna go get some frozen ones today.

[Tony s]

On 10/1/2024 at 8:06 AM, Justnotrook said:

Gonna go get some frozen ones today.

Yeah, getting them to eat something is the goal for now. Got to get some strength back.
You could try a new round of meds later. In a week or 2. Gives them a rest and recovery period. maybe something different. Like maracyn2. Also broad spectrum. Never hurts to switch meds if one didn’t work.