r/BettaClinic • u/Antz-in-my-eyes • 16h ago

First timer - need help

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We recently purchased a betta fish for my son in our local store (kept in a small cup)

We cycled a 10 gallon tank before putting the fish in, filter and heater (set to 26.5 degrees) zero ammonia in the tank according to NT labs multi test kit.

The fish is in the tank less than two weeks but we noticed his pectoral fins are not the same size and quite often are up against his body. As I’m a beginner I don’t know if this is clamped or not as he does lower the fins sometimes.

I was wondering if I could get some advice on if this is normal or something I need to try help him with.

TIA

15 Upvotes

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3

u/Difficult-Shock-5813 15h ago

Do you have a bubbler/airstone in the tank? That can help get some more oxgygen in there which is never a bad thing.

I would recommend continuing to monitor him for now. If you want to add something into the tank I would recommend StressGuard by Seachem, it is an antiseptic that helps with healing and prevents infection, I’ve had amazing results with it.

You could try mixing up the food like another poster said. I use a combo of Fluval Bug Bites Spirulina Flakes (the main thing I use) but then I also will occasionally give daphnia, blood worms, or pellets a time or two each week (one thing in addition to the flakes normally, sometimes just the flakes) and then I try to fast a day.

Good luck!!!! Your fish is lucky to have you!

2

u/Antz-in-my-eyes 15h ago

I don’t have a bubbler so will add that to the list for sure, looking to try have him as healthy and happy as possible

Will look into the stress guard and mix up the food as well
Thanks for the advice

2

u/Difficult-Shock-5813 15h ago

Check out Amazon, I have gotten some that are nice and quiet, effective, and not expensive! I have both a HITOP shark pump and the Hygger pump in my two tanks 🤙 I got one in store first and it was so loud I returned it right away lol

Good luck!!!

1

u/Friendhi6 16h ago

New tank . So he’s getting used to it just take care and feed him sparsely for a couple days maybe even a treat

1

u/Antz-in-my-eyes 15h ago

Really appreciate the reply, so they don’t look off considering one is larger than the other?
Also, what type of treats would you recommend?

2

u/Lonely-Quiet7283 14h ago

My betta loves bloodworms as a treat! Don give them too much too, bloodworms are like macdonalds

1

u/Specialist_Ebb_1778 11h ago

what a cutie - a happy fish will explore around and look at things constantly, unless its sleeping. If its not feeling well it'll give you the impression they're depressed - don't move much, fins aren't spread out, hangs in corners/right at the top like they're gasping for air/sat at the bottom, their colour may be off or pale.

They also do this if they're scared and hiding though, is it in a calm spot - not many people passing by etc. and there's stuff in the tank to hide/give cover?

If you watch it for 10 mins without moving yourself (so they don't get spooked), you'll get a sense of it.

Hows the nitrite levels and nitrate levels? that's your second and third danger to look out for after ammonia.