I bought my first betta fish last friday. I posted a few days ago that he wasn't eating, and he still isn't eating except for a little bit of dried bloodworms.
Today I looked at him and noticed he has a couple small holes in his fins, and now I'm really worried about him.
What could the problem be, and what could I do about it?

It may be stress. I would add some stress coat. Moving is very stressful for bettas and especially if they have been in poor conditions before-hand. Add a bit of aquarium salt too. I can't remember the dosage but it should say on the container. Just give him a few days to destress and see how he does. We are all concerened when we get our first one with making sure they have the best environment possible. Sounds like you have the makings of a great betta parent!! Keep us updated. Also, if you want something to research, finrot may be a possibility. Basically all you can do with that is provide good water conditions with frequent water changes and add stress coat.
Another thing, and you may have mentioned this in your other post, but does he have any toys in his tank or bowl that may have torn his fins? Plastic plants and rough textured caves can do this. My advice (in all this rambling) is to do frequent large water changes with plenty of stress coat. Good Luck!!
SC

Hi Yohko!
After replying to one of your other posts, I'm wondering about these holes...are they dark and look like they're wilted at the edges? Or are they clean tears? It might have been that pesky plastic plant that's the culprit. For your size of tank, just a pinch of aquarium salt will do. It does help to add water conditioner + stress coat with every water change. If you don't already it's very helpful to have a clean container of tap water on hand that has been sitting for a few days. You could have it all ready with the stress coat/conditioner in it. This is much more important for a tank this small to be prepared for an emergency water change. Let us know how it's going. FW <img src="/images/graemlins/fish.gif" alt="" />

I actually don't use the plastic plant that came with the kit, I have a red plant that's made of some soft fabric... I don't know, but it's not plastic.
I have stresscoat, but I don't use it, I use the stuff that came with the kit, the Betta Plus Bowl Conditioner by Nutrafin. I don't have aquarium salt, I guess I should get some of that today.
He has more holes in his fins today, but I don't know where they're coming from. The only other things in his tank are a clay pot from AC Moore and round glass stones.

Also, I have another question. Frequent water changes are beneficial, I'm sure, but I'm worried about my betta's stress level. I'm sure he likes the clean water, doesn't like being dumped out of his tank and scooped back in. I'm worried if that's stressing him out and causing the problem.
I looked at his fins again and they're definitely getting worse.

This is just my opinion here, but when my betta had fin rot and again with torn fins I just added the bit of salt and continued the once a week water change. I also didn't want to freak him out by scooping him out of there every other day. He hates water changes enough as it is. I have dealt with this a few times either from him biting fins or whatever and they have have always healed up nicely. (Until he sinks his fangs into them next.) Again, just my opinion please don't condemn me for being a bad betta parent. FW

FW- sounds good to me!

I wouldn't worry too much just yet. If you're using the Bettafix, sometimes it takes about three to four days to see any results. It will often look as if it's getting worse during that time, but by at least Day 4 of Bettafix, you should start seeing it at least stop getting worse. Basically, it will often look worse before it looks better---even if you're doing everything right.

Hi Yohko. Somehow I missed seeing this post the other day. I'm pretty sure that the conditioner that comes with the kit also has stresscoat in it. You could check the bottle, it should say on there. FW

I have yet another question.
On Wednesday, I noticed a thin film of something (scum?) across the top of the water, and I thought it was maybe from the clay pot I'd put in the tank.
I got aquarium salt, and I added it to his water when I cleaned the tank on Thursday, and I also took the clay pot out.
Yesterday I noticed the film was back again, and that Moe seemed tentative about coming up for air. I don't want to have to clean his tank everyday, so I'm trying to figure out where this is coming from. Is it the aquarium salt? Or is it the tap water I use? I'm not sure if there's something in the water around here that's causing it.

On a side note, I'm still trying to get my betta to eat something besides dried bloodworms. I heard from other people that it's alright to feed him only bloodworms, but I don't know how much to feed him if I decide to do this. Would it be like the flakes, where they say to give as much as he can eat in a few minutes once or twice a day?

Alright, thanks in advance. Sorry about all these questions!

Hi Yohko,
This film... is it transparent? I find that my tank has a film on top of the water when our betta makes a big bubblenest and it dissipates. I haven't heard of aquarium salt leaving a residue, and the little clay pot shouldn't so long as you rinsed it well before putting it in the tank.
As for the blood worms, personally, I would take them away for a few days and keep trying with the pellets/flakes whichever else you have. He will eat them, even if he holds out for a few days he won't starve. I find flakes create more waste and get kind of slimy when they break down. If you decide to keep on with just the worms, I'm not sure how much of those you should give him. Hope that helps. FW

It's transparent, but my betta hasn't made any bubblenests yet. It just looks like it's dirty, but I just cleaned his tank.
I didn't put the clay pot back in this time, so I guess it's not that. The only new thing in his tank is the aquarium salt.

Sorry Yohko, I don't have any other ideas of what that film could be. I have never heard of aquarium salt leaving a film. Maybe someone else knows about that. Does it still look like Moe is reluctant to come up to the top? Hang in there Yohko, you'll get the hang of this betta world. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Argh. I cleaned his tank yesterday and the scum is back this morning. Next time I clean it I'll leave out the aquarium salt, and see if that helps.

I get that occationally in my tank. I figure it's just regular household dust because I don't know what else it could be. My house has been dustier latly.
In fact I just read an article saying your house gets dustier in the winter because your air has less humidity and creates more static causing it to be atracted to surfaces.

Patricia

I used to get that a lot on my tank too, it didn't seem to bother my fish at all.

As for the food, blood worms shouldn't really be a betta's entire diet, but more of a treat. Feeding only dried bloodworms can lead to health problems down the line such as swim bladder disease, and he won't be getting the right nutrition from them. Many times it takes a few days for a new betta to adjust to his surroundings, especially if he was fed something different at the store. See if you can find out what they were feeding him where you got him. He might not even be aware that the pellets you are giving him are food yet! Keep trying though, he'll eventually figure it out <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I just thought I'd post and thank you guys for all the help!
He started to eat pellets finally, so now I reserve the bloodworms for treats. And a day after that he made his first bubblenests, and now he makes them regularly.
The aquarium salt wasn't causing the scum, because I didn't add it once when I cleaned his tank... and I ended up with an unhappy betta and that persistent scum. So I'm back to the salt, and I just can't figure out what the scum is coming from.
Also, I cleaned his tank yesterday and now that he's used to his new home I put the clay pot back in. He seems to be tentative about it, but he's starting to like it. He still likes to hide behind his plant, though.
I've now had him for three weeks, and he's definitely settled in. I am a very proud betta parent now.

Great to hear your good news Yohko! It takes a little bit to get comfortable (for you both lol) and figure out how things should be and what works best. It's a great feeling when you get it right. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />