Hello!
If you're reading this, you're probably, maybe an aquarium hobbyist, like myself. Perhaps you may even know how to help me out. I've got this halfmoon betta, have had him since July. He's gone through a couple health issues since I've had him, being pop-eye and fin loss. I've isolated him from the rest of the tank, to ensure that none of the other fish harass, nip, pester, or otherwise irritate him during regrowth. The problem is, I can tell he doesn't like being isolated in the small tank, as he is territorial in it and will probably do any other fish I add in with him harm. My larger tank is also currently overpopulated with guppy offspring, while I search for a pet store in the area who will gladly accept customer-bread guppies. I do not want the betta in there with them while I'm trying to fix him up, and I won't add him to the tank as long as I have so many guppies.

I once had a guppy with fin rot before the betta, to which I added Tetra's brand "Lifeguard" to the entire aquarium. He healed and 98% of the fin grew back, although in slightly different color. I was hoping this was normal. But the Betta hasn't regrown his fins. Does anyone know if there is a product or anything I should do that could help the regrowth of the betta's fins? Or is this unlikely to occur? I have included a picture of the betta today, where you can see how his fins are all frayed and such.

You should be able to get his fin to grow back. Have you tried BettaFix? API Splendid Betta BettaFix Remedy at PETCO you can also put some aquarium salt in the tank and that should really help. make sure you get it all dissolved before putting it in with him or it will burn him. how big is the tank he is in right now? i can help you to figure out how much salt you can use.

Also i would keep him by himself until he's feeling all better. How often are you cleaning the tank?

Awesome! I picked up some API Bettafix, and also "Pimafix" and "Melafix" just in case. He was in a 10 gallon, but I've got him moved into a tank that is about 1.5 gallons. (Too small for him, he really likes to explore. But it makes a good healing tank ^^) As for aquarium salt, I did not know it could burn the fish. I will make sure to dissolve salt in a jug of water before adding it to aquariums. Not sure how often I should use it though. I clean the betta tank 1-2 times per week, usually just a water change, but I have a plastic syringe I use to suck up visible waste on top of the gravel, since my gravel vac doesn't fit. I also removed the airstone and unplugged the air pump, since I read that bettas breathe air from the surface. Should I plug it back in to circulate the water and medication? ^_^

Never put medication into a tank without circulation. Medication needs to circulate through the water to fully work. Make sure you take the activated charcoal out of the filter but keep the filter running otherwise. I normally take out all the filter media and replace it after the fish gets better. I would use the Melafix. It's more likely a bacterial infection judging from the pic. Along with the salt, add some NovAqua. NovAqua has stuff in it to boost the immune system along with being a great water conditioner. It also protects against bacteria/viruses. I use it every water change. You can get Novaqua in the water conditioner section at both PetSmart and Petco.


I wouldn't suggest putting the beta in with guppies since guppies have long fins and it can stress them out. Plus the fact that bettas fin nip fish with longer fins. Bettas also should never be added to a community tank under 20 gallons because they get stressed out if they do not have enough territory.

I would try to get a bigger tank for your fish. Guppies need at least 1.5 gallons per fish and if they're over populated that could be also causing them to get sick because of the high bioload.

It sounds crazy but if you can't get the smaller tank near the tank with other fish in stick a mirror next to the tank so at least then it can see "another fish". We did it when the smallest of the goldfish spawn was left on it's own to get bigger before going into the pond with the rest of them.