Frank The Betta Is Sick.

Last week I noticed Frank's tail and dorsal fin was looking a bit tatty and his tummy looked a bit swollen as if he had dropsy. I did a water check and the results were all normal but as a water change was almost due I did one anyway and dosed the tank with eSHa 2000 for the next 3 days. I tried feeding him bits of peas but he was having none of that and just kept spitting it out so I soaked some bloodworms in a solution of epsom salts and fed him those. Of course he yummed them up and next morning he was back to his svelte self again. I was expecting the finrot to get better in a day or two eSHa 2000 usually works quite fast but there's been no improvement, the meds have been in there a week now.

He's also not his usual busy self, he seems to be spending a lot of time sitting on plant leaves instead of swimming round his kingdom and although he's eating it's without his usual enthusiasm. When I turn his light on in the morning I always say hello to him and tap on the tank twice, he zooms over and when I show him the food bag he gets very excited and does a little wiggly dance and jumps out the water to take the food off my finger. This isnt the case atm 

I'd say he's lost about 1/4 of his dorsal fin and slightly more tail. The edges of his tail are now ragged and black and he's got stringy bits sloughing off.

My son has ordered some medicines for his puffers including one containing metronidazole which I could treat him with but they won't arrive for another 2 weeks. I don't know what else to do.

I got him in the new year so its about 6 months, I know he was in the shop at least 6 months because I kept going to look  at him.. His lethargy is actually worse today, he's lying either on the bottom or on a plant if he can be othered to get up, I'll try soaking some blood worm in garlic and see what happens thanks Sue

Sounds like you've tried a lot.

I'm not at all familiar with bettas.  Is aquarium salt an option for them?  I used to find it helped goldfish, sometimes bringing an overnight turnaround.  However, I know it's not "compatible" with some fish.

Just in case the heat is contributing in any way, are you in a position to keep the water cool/at the required temperature during the day?  (I appreciate that this will dilute the meds that are in there, though.)

The only other suggestion I have is that you contact an aquatic vet who might be able to prescribe something such as metronidazole that you've mentioned is en route.

Ah Fiona I am sorry.

I know how it feels having lost my pretty silver cory yesterday.

I buried mine in the garden.

Fiona, I'm so sorry to hear you lost Frank.
It does seem as though he was quite mature when you got him, but I know that doesn't make thinks easier!

I'm sorry to hear this too.

If it helps, a lot of bettas don't live what we hope will be a long life because of the way they were treated before we buy them. Frank had a good life with you.