Who Gives A Fish Forums

My betta got dropsy once, that was rough. Swollen belly and pineconing scales. Had to euthanize him. Now I'm extra careful with water changes and diet. Live food seems to keep 'em healthier.

What's the best way to prevent fin rot? My last betta had it bad, and I don't want a repeat. Tank is 10 gallons, filtered, heated to 80F.

sailfinz wrote: ↑Mon Jul 21, 2025 7:57 pm What's the best way to prevent fin rot? My last betta had it bad, and I don't want a repeat. Tank is 10 gallons, filtered, heated to 80F.

Clean water is the biggest factor. Do weekly water changes, test params regularly, and avoid overfeeding. Also, check for sharp edges in the tank.

My betta is always flaring at its reflection. Could this stress it out and make it sick? Tank is near a window, maybe too much light?

hannaho wrote: ↑Mon Jul 21, 2025 9:35 pm My betta is always flaring at its reflection. Could this stress it out and make it sick? Tank is near a window, maybe too much light?

Yep, constant flaring can stress them. Move the tank or add a background to reduce reflections. Also, direct sunlight can cause algae blooms and temp swings.