Bettarazzi

As far as I can tell from the photos you’re probably correct in your assessment of fin rot. He may also have velvet but I’d need a much closer photo particularly around the head. I honestly can’t remember if Furan also treats velvet but if it doesn’t you would want to give the poor guy a little rest for at least a week before starting on more medications. Just so his organs can recover a bit. Not losing his appetite is a good sign. Velvet requires light thrive so I would cover his tank completely with a towel making it’s a total blackout in there. This will also help him sleep and rest. It’s fine to unwrap and check on him as many times as you like. Just cover up again. Try to remove poop as quickly as possible. Just suck it out with a turkey baster or similar. Uneaten food should be removed immediately. I’d watch him while he eats and remove anything still left after 5-10 minutes. Let us know how he gets on.

Hi Angie. Welcome. This is pretty quiet these days. But please do ask away and I’ll my best to respond as quickly as possible.

Hi Scott. I’m Michael. Welcome to the forum. And welcome back to the hobby. I think it’s great that you’re involving your kids. I was introduced to the hobby when I was 12 but didn’t have a mentor with any knowledge at all. It was basically, here’s a tank and a box of old equipment, do what you like. There was a shop only a 20 minute walk away from my home. My best friend (who lived a couple of doors away) and I spent so much time and most of our pocket money there. I think we stripped that tank and redecorated it nearly every week. I doubt the filter ever made it through a cycle. It was the best time of my life. But I do laugh now when I think about how clueless I was. Shops should be able to order killies from the wholesaler but the quality might be hit and miss. The varieties will also be limited. You should join the Killifish Australia group on Facebook. Serkan Alasya is in that group. He’s been the most consistent breeder of killies in Australia for at least 30 years if not longer. He’s the absolutely best person in the country to get you going with killies. Based in Canberra. I’m not a fan of importing specifically selected bettas. But this is the way people get exactly what they want. It’s expensive and there’s no guarantee those fish will breed. The fish looking a lot different from the photos is also a common complaint. I’ve spent thousands of dollars on imported fish and have nothing to show for it except regret. It’s far better I feel to keep trying with local breeders and shops. Brisbane Betta Breeders are the most active club at the moment and most likely able to get a decent pair in your hands. I’m also looking at getting back into breeding bettas and I’ll be starting with the Brisbane folk and scouring local shops. The shops order fish from the wholesaler sight unseen which is why the quality is so variable. It’s not that the wholesaler doesn’t have good bettas. Females are still an issue though. Nano Tanks Australia in Sydney is worth having a chat with for both killies and bettas. They’re used to dealing with customers from around the country and have a particular interest in niche species. But they are a shop and there are limitations. Good luck with the search and please let us know how you get on. This forum is so quiet these days it would be nice to get it going again.

Welcome Akrosfer. Good luck with the breeding efforts.

Hi Dan. Welcome. Those tumours are common on metallic bettas. I’ve not had much luck curing them however I’ve had bettas live quite a while with similar tumours. I can’t see the rust you’re referring to. Velvet has a rusty appearance. If it is velvet then treat with half teaspoon salt per 10 litres of water, turn off the lights and cover the tank to block out light.

Welcome KB5. Sounds like you’re off to a great start.

Welcome Sass. Sounds like you’re hooked good and proper.

Go ahead and ask questions. We’re going a bit slow right now. But the only way to get things back to the way they were is for people to post.

Welcome Sig. That’s a classic and not uncommon getting started story. I think you’re going to enjoy this hobby a lot. The Eastern Districts Aquarium Society hold meetings at the Whitehorse community centre in Nunawading on the last Friday of the even numbered months. Next meeting in February. They are very closely linked to the Aquarium Society of Victoria who hold meetings in Clifton Hill on the odd numbered months. Next meeting Friday 31st January. You should try to get along to those. There’ll be a guest speaker, trading table, and supper afterwards. You don’t have to join as a member until after you’ve gone to a few meetings.

Sorry to hear that. It’s hard to know what could have caused that.

I would give him a complete water change immediately. It sounds like a bad reaction to something in his water. Save some old water and take it to an aquarium shop to get tested. They should be able to advise you further. Good luck.

Hi Betta_Addict Welcome to the forum. You should be able to find a koi or salamander pair pretty easily. There seem to be plenty around.

Welcome Kesh!

Welcome BettaGalore. Great to have a scientist in the group.

Rainbow tank would be awesome. There are a few shops that will send fish and plants to you in the mail. You want to go with the really experienced ones. Allfish2u is in Kingswood NSW. They do a lot of shipping.