Early Signs of Betta Fin Rot

Betta fish, with their long colorful tails, can be susceptible to fin rot if the tank is not very clean and the water isn't changed regularly. If the rot is severe, it will not go away on its own and needs to be treated. Luckily, the disease is treatable if caught early enough.

  1. Physical Description

    • The first sign of fin rot is a discoloration of the fin; the edges will blacken. Look for rapid fin loss. If your betta was fine a few days ago and its fin is smaller and ragged, it probably is suffering from fin rot. The fins may have a bloodied appearance on the edges; the fin rot is considered severe if less than half of the fin is left. Other signs your betta is sick is a lack of appetite, lack of activity, running into walls and gravel, pale coloring, open sores, protruding eyes, opened gills, raised scales or a hollow belly.

    Fin Loss

    • Fin rot can be mistaken for fin loss, but they should not be confused as the causes and effects on the health of your betta are different. Fin loss is a tear in the fins caused by something in the swimming environment such as the water pump or tank decorations. The only symptom is a torn fin or small loss of fin. Fin rot is a bacterial infection and the most common illness for betta. Most will suffer from it at some point in their lives.

    Causes

    • Causes of fin rot may be exposure to nitrites and ammonia, which are common in uncycled tanks. It may also be caused by higher nitrates, fluctuating temperatures or changing ph levels. Fin rot is caused by a bacterial infection and needs to be treated in order for your betta to regain full strength. Test the ph, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and temperature of the tank before treating your betta for fin rot.

    Treatment

    • It is best to pinpoint the cause before treating the fish, to prevent the rot from returning. If the fin rot is not severe, very clean water and careful observation are recommended for treatment. Also isolate the betta from any other fish while it is healing. For severe fin rot, antibiotic medications like "Mardell's Maracyn-Two" and "Aquatrinics' Kanacyn" can be added to the tank.