Sick Beta - Fin Rot?

Question
Dear Lynda,

My daughter's beta fish is sick.  I noticed she has not been eating.  On top of
that I noticed last night the fins are starting to deteriorate.  She was also just
laying on the bottom of the bowl.  She is in a one gallon bowl by herself.  I
changed out her water and she seemed to be happy and swimming around
this morning.  I picked up some Betafix at Petsmart and followed the
directions and put in a 1/2 a teaspoon this afternoon.  Tonight our Beta is at
the resting at the bottom of the bowl.  When I tap on the bowl she struggles
to move.  What should I do?

Thanks,
Susan

Answer
Hi Susan,
A Betta in a one gallon bowl is very hard to treat.  Maracyn, Maracyn2, Tetracycline are all good medication for fin, and tail rot.  You will have to ask the store Manager for the exact dosage for your betta, as I can't give you the right dosage for a one gallon tank when it comes to antibiotics.  Pills are usually made for 5 -10 gallon tanks.  
I would change all the water, to remove the Betafix.  Some Betta's have a reaction to this product.   I would add 1/2 teaspoon diluted aquarium salt to his tank, (if you can't put in antibiotics) use 1/4 teaspoon Bettafix, and change his water every 2-3 days using stress coat.

Here is some information on how a betta should be treated:

A betta needs at least 2.5 gallons of water, but in my book 5 gallons is best.  
In his habitat the betta may live in shallow waters, but he has lots of room to swim.  
Keeping Bettas in small bowls, containers, vases etc, is cruel.  The Betta is one of the most mistreated fish on the market.
He needs a heated tank,  Temperature should be 78-80 degrees.  He is a tropical fish, and is cold under this temperature.  Cold bettas get sick, are miserable, and live unhappy lives.  They should have a silk plant in their tanks, so that they can rest on the leaves  They also need a little tunnel or some knick knack that they can go through.   You may add 1 teaspoon of aquarium salt in his water which has been diluted before adding to his tank.  1 teaspoon to 5 gallons of water.
He needs a varied diet. This is very important.  Betta pellets one day, Betta Flakes the next, Daphnia the next, and bloodworms should be given once a week as a treat.
He should be given one frozen cooked pea a week, and on the day you give him the pea, he should fast.  
Cook a frozen pea until it is well cooked and tender.  Remove the outer layer, and cut into tiny pieces.  
Feed your Betta one piece at a time making sure it doesn't fall to the bottom of the tank.  This helps to clean out his system.
A betta is prone to constipation, and constipation leads to Swim Bladder Disease.
He should have 2-3 small meals a day, and not one big meal.  We must remember that his tummy is the size of his eye.
Example:  2 pellets for one meal.
Water changes are very important.  Water changes must be made every week without fail with a good water conditioner such as Aqua Safe or Stress Coat.  There is also a conditioner made especially for bettas.
When treated well, a betta can live up to 8 years, and be a very good friend.  
He's an intelligent little fish, and should be teated with kindness.
Too many vendors know nothing about the betta, and don't care...so don't give good information on how to keep them.
They are there to sell, and will say anything just to make a buck.  They send you home with your bought betta, telling you a small bowl is perfect, and bloodworms!  The poor customer thinks he has everything he/she needs, and then the fish gets sick, money is spent to cure him, and eventually the fish dies.   
This turns my stomach over.  Unfortunately there are no laws to protect fish.  
Bettas kept in small bowls, and tanks, vases, will get sick, and are very hard to cure in such little water.  They end up dying, and
that hurts the person who has grown so attached to them.  They don't deserve to be treated this way.
I just thought I would tell you a little on our friend the Betta.  If you have more questions do not hesitate to write me.  I have bred them, love them, and know what is good for them.  
Lynda

Hi Susan,
I just want to mention that when you bring his water temperature up, do this very very slowly.  One degree every two days until you reach 78 or 80 degrees.  If you bring his temperature up too quickly it could kill him, put him into shock.  Put him into your new tank at the same temperature he is in now.  Then every 2 days bring it up one degree.
Lynda