FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Last Friday, I was in the local department store that sells fish and just had to visit the fish department.
I found the cutest little yellow female, who said "Take me home, please!"
Then I found the red crown tail, the first one I had ever met in person. No, it is not a bad case of fin rot common in the fish in this store, he is the real deal!
My problem is that he was just laying there acting sick with swollen gills. I got him anyway as it would be a shame for such a rare find to die.
I have been treating him with melafix and primafix, as well as a half dose of coppersafe (hope that is OK). He seems to be doing better, a lot more active and eating a bit now, but his gills are still swollen and I notice a small area of black on the very tips of three of the rays on his tail. Is there anything I could use that might be better for this condition as I really don't want to loose him?
He is in a two gallon bowl with a small heater. The yellow female was sick too, but is fine now. There were a lot of sick and dead bettas in that shipment -- think they got too cold.
Any advice will be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

If it were me, I'd continue with treating them with the melafix and pimafix...but I'd also do 50% water change before each dose...this way you will help him be in the best water conditions that you can provide...make sure he keeps giving him the love that you have been giving him, and that he doesn't have to struggle, so make sure he has some nice plants to relax in that can float with him...I love anarcharis, just leave the stuff floating, and he'll climb in it when he needs to rest and relax...take care, heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

Heidi,
He seems a lot more active today. I do have some rather tall silk plants that he likes to lay on. They seem to have helped him. I did a water change yesterday. I will keep the primafix and melafix up. My dog is hounding me -- must run.