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I have a betta who started out with just a touch of fin rot at the end of his tail. He had it when I got him and it healed up, but he never regrew the very tip of his tail. One morning, he was fine, but when I came home that evening, half his tail was missing. I don't know if he ripped it on something (I never found any fin bits in his tank) or burned it on the heater or what. The part that was missing was pretty much from the base of his tail to the tip, but only the top. Like he'd split it lengthwise, practically.

I immediately started treating with melafix, and then when that didn't help, continued with a barrage of medicines (I have another betta with chronic finrot, so I have pretty much every med known to man for the disease). I began with tetracycline (which is what finally healed my other betta, after nothing would). I've used bettamax, jungle fungus eliminator... everything I have at my disposal. Nothing has helped, and the rot has begun to proceed right into his body.

At times, it seemed like I had the rot stopped, but it never receded. There's a definite line of black at the torn edges, and now edging into the caudal penuncle. It seems like one day it was confined to his tail, and the next it had rapidly progressed.

I feel awful, because he's HEALTHY, always active, eats vigorously and eagerly... but I can't seem to do anything for him.

It's gotten to the point where I think he's hurting. He'll dash madly around the tank at random times, like he's trying to get away from something. He's always been active, but I've never seen him... frantic. He's the type of betta who always jumps up to splash against the cover of his tank... always makes noise, flares, makes HUGE bubblenests... I haven't seen a bubblenest from him in ages. I don't know if it's meds in the water or that he's simply hurting.

So... the question is... when you say, "That's enough... he's suffering too much"? I DON'T want to put him down if there's any way I can save him, but I also don't want to watch the rot creep farther into his body.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

Kitten,
First my students say that they are very sorry to hear about your poor little betta.

Now, what kind of filter do you have? I've heard that the HOB can sometimes snag a fin/tail and do this to a fish.]:| If so, try a UGF...

Next have you tried using PimaFix combined with MelaFix? It will do a better job than just one of them alone. Also Jungle makes a medicated fish food, that can be found at PetSmart, and CoryDi swears by it...and combined with the MelaFix and PimaFix should do wonders for you little guy...Keep him calm, keep the lights off (helps remove stress), and try to keep him where there isn't that much moving going on, as we want him to be relaxed and calm...not startled...

Hope it helps...heidi

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

Think about the quality of life he has. You need to make sure that you are not prolonging his pain in order to postphone your pain at making a decision. I had to face this choice when deciding that my old pug's life had degenerated into one of constant pain due to arthritis.

This is a decision that only you can make. I know that you are doing everything for him that you can.

Good luck *gives Kitten a big hug*

He's in an unfiltered two gallon tank. 100% water change weekly. It's got a small heater in there (room temp drops to low 60s at night) and there's cloth plants and a terracotta pot cave.

I don't have pimafix, but I'll try that. I'm going to try keeping his water extra clean (I'm thinking changing 50% every other day or so), but other than that, I don't know what to do. If he doesn't show improvement in the next few weeks, though... I just feel bad.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

Well, I went out and got some Pimafix (and tortured my dog in the process - she was kept in a crate most of the time at the breeders and isn't terribly socialized ) from the LCPS. Equity's tank is clean and medicated. I used both Pimafix and Melafix in the proscribed dosages.

What do you suggest? I could do a 50% waterchange every day or every other day... I don't want to stress him, but if other meds can't help (most require dosing for four or five days straight, so I just kept up with weekly WC's), I want to keep the water clean as possible.

I have old milk containers that I have water sitting out in. I figure I can dose the containers (one gallon) and just use as needed instead of trying to dose after putting it in the tank. I removed the light from his tank and put the old plastic lid in place.

I know melafix is tea tree oil... what on EARTH is pimafix? It REEKS!

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

I have no idea what pimafix isi've just been told that if melafix doesn't fix it, then go with the combinationi would just go 50% every other day, and treat the tank afterwards, as then it is fresh from the bottle, and doesn't have a chance to possibly lose it's potency...And as Leslie said above, if the time comes that you must say it is the end you are the only one able to make this decision, but you will know that you have tried everything possible...for your sake and his I pray that the combination works for you, and he gets better soon...heidi

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

Kitten, I have personally used the combination of Melafix and Pimafix on one of my own bettas. It was a very effective cure when nothing else would work. Can I ask what temperature you have your tank set at for him? An important thing to remember is that even though bettas like warmer temps, so does fin rot... warmer temps speed up the process in a very bad way. Maybe consider SLOWLY dropping him down a degree or two from normal to try to slow down the rotting. I agree with Heidi about adding the Pimafix and Melafix after you have added the water.

Also, since it has crept up his body now, I would not think this to be the case, but I have had a couple of males who were terrible fin nippers; they would constantly bite their own tails off. Just a thought as to how it could have progressed so quickly. Anyway, keep in mind the temperature thing I mentioned, and good luck with your little boy. I know how hard it is to make the final decision. Sadly it is a burden we must face as pet owners, but that does not make it any easier.

Hmm... I'd have to check his tank specifically... I keep my bettas in the upper 70s, but I don't know each tank temp individually. What would you suggest dropping it down to?

It's quite possible that he started chewing on his own tail (like I said, the initial loss was at least half of his tail with no evidence as to HOW), but fin rot took over from there. There's hardly anything left for him to TO chew on if that's the case, anyway. All he has left is a sad, thin banner that was the bottom of an elegantly draped veil.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

Temp in his tank is 77... I'll drop it down a degree or so when I do his water change later today. He still looks SO healthy. I just can't help but think his overall health is in such extreme opposites of his poor tail.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

The stupid thing never let me know you responded! Sorry to just now get back to you on it. Anyway, yeah, dropping it a couple of degrees off of 77 will be good for his tail. Keep us updated on his progress. You never know, he may be able to pull around yet. Bettas can be amazingly resilient little guys. Good luck with him!

Unfortunately, my poor Equity never got better. He was looking a little off the past few days, though still eating voraciously. Day before yesterday he was very pale, last night he died.

While it is very sad that he never recovered, I'm glad that he's no longer suffering (even if it was just his vanity ... despite previous concerns, he wasn't acting like he was in pain). The rot was stopped, but I couldn't get it to regrow. I don't know what finally finished him off, but I hope he's long-finned and happy up in that big fishtank in the sky.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

I am SO, SO sorry for your loss kitten! At least he is no longer suffering, and your mind can rest at ease knowing you gave him the best care he could have ever gotten. RIP little Equity! *hugs kitten*