Betta has experienced tail LOSS i believe.

Question
QUESTION: A month for the 26, week and a few days for the 10.

1 26 gallon and one 10 gallon.

In the 10 currently only a betta and a BN pleco (This tank is the relevent one).

2.

Aqueon Power 30.

pH is neutral, Ammonia is 0, Nitrate 0.

26 gallon = every week, 10 = every Mon Wens and Fri.

26 ranges from 20-35% and 10 about 25%.

The water is very clean in both tanks, and I've recently transplanted mike from the 26 to the 10, To put less stress on his tail about swimming up and etc. I was deathly worried as it seemed like he was getting depressed, So I did the tell all sign of weather or not he really was, I put some food in of course! I was scared as I waited for him to eat his flakes, and boy did he eat. He even chased around two or three flakes that got caught in the air stone bubble stream, I was excited happy and about brought to tears, As I knew I had atleast some hope for a full recovery from this horrific ordeal =(.

Now, He is kinda slow, But has in no way lost his appetite, And when the lights on and I look at him he'll chase my fingers around on the glass, and even flare at himself!

Now, even if he has a weak case of fin rot, Which he might but I've seen 0 symptoms of it, Would 78-81 degree water followed by a good healthy diet of Betta Bites from Top Fin help support a healthy regrowth of his tail? Also for atleast a month or two, I'm going to be performing 3 water changes a week, and treating the water with APIs Stress Coat with natural Aloe Vera, As I've read some 'rave' reviews about people using it to help with fin loss cases. Also, Would it be a good idea to slice up some of the 'Fish cubes' my dad feeds to his Afro Chiclids and feed them to mike 2 times a week or so, I'm talking miniscule slivers, but the added vitamins should add in his attempt at a recovery, right?



ANSWER: Hi Lucas;

I think you are right on with your plan. The constant clean fresh water and higher temperature will indeed get him back in shape and help prevent infection. The cichlid food would be a nice treat for him too. 2 to 3 times a week would be good. Bettas also like tubifex worms, brine shrimp, krill, chopped earthworms and bloodworms. Some of these foods are available frozen at fish stores. Some have added vitamins too.

Keep up the good work!

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Alright, I have a follow up question pertaining to a different fish.

To be exact its my Black Mollie. I'm a paranoid fish keeper, I'll examine any little thing till I either prove or disprove a disease is involved. So I turned the tank light on my 26 gallon tank a few minutes ago, and saw that he had creases that appeared to be offwhite, or atleast lighter than the rest of his body, But when the light is off and my overhead light is on, You can see nothing.

So is this just some type of weird lightning phenomena or?

Answer
Hi Lucas;

Mollies have very light skin under their scales and inside the edges of their gills and it does have a bit of a sheen to it. Sometimes you can see the lighter color under there in the right light. Your room light is probably reflecting it. I think it's just normal. ;-)

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins