Thank You

I have been lurking for a while and have learned a lot. I have 3 tanks, a 29 gal planted community, a 10 gal divided with 2 male bettas, pronounced bettahs : ), and an outside 250 gal preformed pond with goldfish. I've had the bettas 2 weeks. The blue betta got fin rot, which I cleared up. Then he developed fungus in the little bit of tail he has left. Got that cleared up. Now he has ick and has passed it to his flare buddy! I am working on clearing that up. Blue betta is now swimming and eating, red one is curled in his hollow stump looking pathetic.

With all your expert advice the $3 bettas did not get flushed (uh euthanized) but I figure they have cost me about $30 by now.

Thanks for all the great advice. Couldn't have done it without you.

Try salt baths. It's cheap.

Phew! Thank Goodness, I can't imagine a more horrible death then being flushed alive.

That's a whole lot of illness for one little fishy to endure. He's a real fighter. What were the results of your water tests? Your water may be fine, afterall, the first two weeks are the most stressful. Who knows how your fish were treated at the store. Regardless, check all the parameters to see if something is off and stressing your betta.

It may be helpful to put up some plants near the divider line. Having to constantly stare at a potential threat (aka other betta) can further stress your already sick guy.

for the OP or the fish?

If the fish were healthy when you bought them and they're sick now, you may be doing something wrong. A good guess would be over feeding. Left over fish food will eventually turn into ammonia, which is toxic to fish. Before you dump in a bunch of expensive chemicals, make sure the fish have enough room, compatible tank mates, and a clean aquarium that gets regular, partial water changes. Most medications are very helpful to the person selling them and not very helpful, maybe even harmful, to the aquarium environment.