BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish New Betta

Hey all,
I'm a new user and I just got my new betta, Joe, who I happen to think is the cutest betta! I do have a question though. He does have a quite severe case of fin rot which I attribute to his new settings, it was slight when I got him but it has really worsend very quickly. I really should have bought some medications before I bought him, but I really wasn't thinking. My question is that I won't be able to get any medications for him until Thursday because I am incapacitated with a broken leg right now and have to wait for someone to go for me. I won't be able to buy his aquarium salt until then, but for now I am just doing very frequent water changes and I am using "Top Fin Water Conditioner" and tap water and boiling everything to disinfect. Until I can get him the medication, could I use non-iodized table salt in his water to help kill the bacteria? I have been researching today because it really has worsened today and I know he needs some immediate help. I fully intend on providing him with the best home I just wish that I could go to the store right now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you so much in advance
Joe's Mommy

I am not an expert but I read that you could use non-iodized salt as a substitute for aquarium salt. I believe you are doing a good job! Good luck!

How much salt should I put i his one gallon tank? Any adivce will be really helpful! Thanks!
Joe's Mommy

According to several sites I have seen, table salt should not be used. Im not sure why, but here's what i could find:

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Hey All,
So I sent my boyfriend out to buy me certain products which he "could not find" silly man. Oh well, so he came back with a few things. API Aquarium Salt, which says that you use 1/2 tsp per gallon, BettaFix which says you use 1/2 tsp per gallon and APPLUS+ Anti-Fungus Fungus & Fin Rot Treatment which says that you use 10 drops per gallon. So, I did a water change yesterday and added the salt and APPlus+ Anti-Fungus Treatment. My question is can I also add the BettaFix Remedy? His tail rot seems to be getting worse adn I am so concerned. I removed absolutely everything from his tank and boiled it so well then scalded the tank with scalding water. His tail seems worse today and I'm not sure wy. I figured that he would look at least a little bit better today which is why I now want to add the BettaFix Remedy to the tank. Is this a good idea? Also, should I change the water every day to combat the bacteria? or should I just stick with every three days? What do you think?
Thanks,
Joe's Mommy

I would have just gone with salt and bettafix, but since you already added the other treatment, just keep with it. Don't change what you do for at least three days, as it will take time for him to begin to heal, just like it would take you time to recover from a cold or the flu. Don't freak out, just give him some time and then see how he looks.

Good News!
Joe's Tail seems to be getting better, the small pinholes have disappeared but the split is still there. So far I have just treated with the aquarium salt and Anti-Fungus but today is his third day and since he is ina 1/2 gallon I am going to change his water and add the betta fix. I also have been looking on e-bay and I think I found a large enough tank that will still fit in my extremely small dorm room. I really can't wait to order it and get it in my room! I think Joe will love it.

Another thing that may help is turning off his light for a few days. Sometimes the light can stress them out a bit. Imagine trying to recover from the flu with your light on...I know i would prefer the lights off.

Oooh thanks for the suggestion, I didn't even think of turning his light off. He seems to have a nice bubble nest going now and I haven't seen one of those since his tail frayed so I am assuming that he is feeling better. Thanks for your help everyone.

Sounds like he's feeling better! If you want to leave the light on, another option is to cover half the tank with a towel to give him some darkness when he wants it. I used to do that with my fish, and it kept him warm in the winter, while allowing him to sleep if he wanted. However, when he was awake he enjoyed being in the light and watching what was going on...silly little things, these bettas!