3 parter

Question
HI bethany

tank is 1 gallon 75 degrees no tank mates

my betta fish is getting this white chalky like look on its fins and im pretty sure it wasnt there before when i got it and i was wondering what i could do about it

the other part is my fish comes to the surface everynow and again about 3 times every 10 mins to gt air (im assuming cause he does it when there is no food on the top)

and the last part (sorry for it being long) i was wondering what types of tank mates i could get my betta  its an unfiltered bowl

thank you very much if i didnt provide enough info please feel free to email me
thanks again
chris

Answer
Chris

In a tank so small, I wouldn't recommend putting anything in there with a Betta, especially since it's an unfiltered bowl. Betta Fish should be kept in something no smaller than a 5 gallon tank with a running filter. Betta can suffer muscle deterioration in anything smaller over the years and they tend to live longer and healthier in 5 gallons+.

Betta Fish are surface breathers. They come to the top for air and for feeding.

That white chalky look could be a number of things, but I'm guessing since it's an unfiltered bowl it's the beginning of fin rot. Go to your nearest pet store and buy some Maracyn Two. Follow the directions on the package and it should go away. If not, please message me again and I'll see what I can do.

-Bethany