BETTA DEPRESSION EMERGENCY!

Question
QUESTION: Hi, i have a new beta fish and he is usually very active and perky and blows A LOT of bubbles, however, my sister told me to take out the decorative rocks from the fish bowl, since they can accumulate bacteria, so i did, and i cleaned my bowl on Saturday (i clean it every week) and now my fish isn't as active and hardly east or flares up, I am sure he isn't diseased because he hasn't lost color, however i realized some white/grey under his mouth but i am confident he's not sick considering he isn't scratching on the few corals and shells in the bowl and isn't bloated or has no raised scales, he is about 1 to 3 months. PLEASE HELP AND ANSWER ASAP!!!

ANSWER: Alix,

If he is that young, then he is very small. He needs to be in a tank with a heater. He is a tropical fish and needs his water to be between 80 and 82 degrees at all times. Since he is still a fry, it is very important that you keep his water warm. I do not think, though that he is that young if he is blowing bubbles already. Is there a way that you can post a picture of him so that I can get a better idea on whats going on with him? It would make it a lot easier for me. Since you do not know for sure if he is sick please do not treat him with any medication. I will wait to hear back from you.

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The fish,this same day   QUESTION: Thank you very much, he has improved today because after sending you the question, he turned completely grey and purple, i turned of the light and flashed a light on him to check for velvet and he was good, he is under a light and i think it may be because i turned it of but this morning he was normal color, except now he is at the bottom and he swims around a bit more. he still isn't eating and i think he may be about six to nine months actually (my bad)however i don't think temperature is the problem because i live in the tropics (Caribbean) and it gets pretty hot here and it doesn't ever get cold only when there's a thunder storm and we hardly get those, plus we're in dry season right now over here so it's very hot and hardly rains. In the picture, please note i put the rocks back in to see what would happen. I cleaned the bowl before i did this though.

ANSWER: Alix,
Thank you for this picture, but I do see another problem. In the photo it looks like your Betta had a bad case of fin rot. Another problem is his home is way too small for him. The smallest tank he can be in is 2.5 gallons but a five gallon tank would be better. As for the heater, even if you are in a tropical climate, your Betta still needs the heater. When there isn't one, the temperature of the water will fluctuate and that is not a good thing. In order to start to heal the fin rot, the temp of the water has to be 82 degrees at all times. When the water reaches the right temp the heater will shut off, when the temp drops, the heater will kick back on. It is very important that you do the weekly water changes. Fin rot is 100% preventable and is cause by bad water conditions. I would also start giving him salt water baths to help start the healing process for the fin rot. I am a Betta breeder and keeper and I do not use medications. If you want to go that way make sure you do NOT use Bettafix or Melafix. Both of these medications can harm your fish and possibly cause death. Whatever medication you do use it is very important that you follow the direction on the package. If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask.

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QUESTION: Hi again, I want to know what would happen if my fish has fin rot, and would he die? How exactly do i give him a salt bath? I know I can't put salt in the water, he's a fresh water fish, but it'll help if these questions are answered. I don't understand that i need to get a bigger tank, my sisterhad hers in a small tank and her fish was happy. Thanks a lot for your help and support! Ummmm, Btw, He is happy again and is already beginning to build bubble nests and is eating normal again! thanks again,
         Alix

Answer
Alix,

 If the fin rot is not treated, he will die. This is why it is very important that he has a heater and in the bowl that wont happen. Bowls are not suitable homes and with a Betta, it needs to be bigger. The life span of a Betta in the right size home with a heater is around 5 years. In bowls it is considerably less. As for him being happy in a bowl, he really has no choice. He has to live in what you give him. Without the heater you are going to have a very hard time treating the fin rot. Seeing how it is so advanced, your fish has had fin rot for quite some time. As for Betta's not being able to be in salt water, that is incorrect. A little bit of salt in his water can help prevent fin rot, Ich, and other diseases. With a heater, the chances of getting Ich is considerably reduced. As for the salt water bath you dissolve 1 teaspoon of aquarium salt in one gallon of water. Make sure the salt is dissolved before you put him in. Once the salt is dissolved put him in the water for 15 minutes. Make sure you stay with him so if he has any problems you can remove  him right away. Do this once a day for now. Also remember that since you have him in such a small bowl, water changes need to be done every other day. Perfect water conditions are very important in treating your fish with any disease. Since his fin rot is so advanced, I would get medication from your LFS and follow the directions on the packaging. Just DO NOT use Bettafix or Melafix.Both of these can kill your fish.