Just this morning I noticed a chunk missing from my betta's tail. The tail also looks really ragged and torn. I'm really disappointed because my betta has had trouble with fin rot in the past, and he seemed like he was just about to fully get over it. About three months ago he tore his fin on a plastic plant and he caught fin rot from the open wound. I replaced the plastic plant with a real one and treated him with maracyn II, which stopped the rot. Since then I've just kept the water clean with weekly 25% water changes. Over a couple months his fin healed.
Then this morning I noticed his tail torn again. I also noticed brown/black fuzzy spots on my live plant. Could the two be related? Does the stuff growing on the plant indicate poor water quality, or could it be causing his fins to rot?
My betta is in a 1.5 gallon tank by himself with a live plant, a small heater, water filter, and LED light. I do weekly 25% water changes.
Today I tested the water and it showed
ammonia - 0
nitrites - 0
nitrAtes - 0
temp - 78 F
pH - 6.0
I'm confused why he should apparently be getting fin rot again because according to the tests, the water quality is good (I think, right?). I'd really like to figure out what is causing this so I can properly treat it.
As a side note, I am just about to finish cycling a 5 gallon tank (I did a fishless cycle using ammonia). Do you think I should move him over to the new 5 gallon tank once it's finished cycling (which is very soon), or should I wait until he shows improvement and starts healing with his fins? The 1.5 gallon he's in now was never properly cycled because I didn't know any better when I started it 5 months ago. I just put the fish right in it after it was set up for a day, which is what the people at petco said I could do.
As you can probably tell, I'm a big beginner, so I'd really appreciate any advice. I also have pictures if that would help.
Then this morning I noticed his tail torn again. I also noticed brown/black fuzzy spots on my live plant. Could the two be related? Does the stuff growing on the plant indicate poor water quality, or could it be causing his fins to rot?
My betta is in a 1.5 gallon tank by himself with a live plant, a small heater, water filter, and LED light. I do weekly 25% water changes.
Today I tested the water and it showed
ammonia - 0
nitrites - 0
nitrAtes - 0
temp - 78 F
pH - 6.0
I'm confused why he should apparently be getting fin rot again because according to the tests, the water quality is good (I think, right?). I'd really like to figure out what is causing this so I can properly treat it.
As a side note, I am just about to finish cycling a 5 gallon tank (I did a fishless cycle using ammonia). Do you think I should move him over to the new 5 gallon tank once it's finished cycling (which is very soon), or should I wait until he shows improvement and starts healing with his fins? The 1.5 gallon he's in now was never properly cycled because I didn't know any better when I started it 5 months ago. I just put the fish right in it after it was set up for a day, which is what the people at petco said I could do.
As you can probably tell, I'm a big beginner, so I'd really appreciate any advice. I also have pictures if that would help.