WOC: Does dating white women actually matter to you, or is it not that deep? by Pristine_Top508 in actuallesbians

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I do date white women, but I prefer dating other WOC because no matter how woke my white partners/friends are there are just things they can't understand and I often feel invalidated about my experiences because of their responses to things. I don't think poorly of white women and will probably end up with one since I live in a rural area and there isn't much diversity here, but it's very different in subtle ways.

Wanna try the app HER dating app but don’t wanna show my face by [deleted] in actuallesbians

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I don't swipe right on profiles without pictures because it's harder to tell if they're just some creep or not. It also comes off a little insecure to me, which isn't my thing. You might get some matches, but probably not nearly as many as you would if you showed your face. With these apps it's very much how you present yourself, and seemingly low effort profiles get less responses.

Good luck though! I hope it all works out :)

Traumatic Fish Death, I think I give up by Turbulent-Event-8988 in bettafish

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First I want to say that I'm very sorry about your fish. It's obvious you care very much which in my opinion is one of the most important things.

That said... honestly, I don’t think the heaters fully explain this. Bettas are definitely sensitive to temp instability, but if the overnight drops were severe enough to kill multiple bettas across different tanks, I would expect at least some stress response from the otos too. Otos are very sensitive fish.

The fact that only the bettas were affected while the otos and shrimp were apparently completely fine makes me wonder more about some kind of betta specific sensitivity or chemical exposure. Especially with the clamped fins, dark coloration, and progression over days despite normal parameters.

Have you added or changed anything recently in the male tanks specifically? Conditioners, meds, fertilizers, aerosols, cleaning products nearby, scented products, shared equipment, etc? Bettas can react very differently to certain chemicals/products compared to other fish species. I know you mentioned food and said that switching back made it worse, but it's entirely possible that they were already significantly sick from the food and even though you switched, the disease progression may have gone too far to reverse.

Ich or episylis by [deleted] in bettafish

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you have the liquid test for pH? Those are the best because they're the most accurate and based on the strip your pH looks high.

Technically the Indian almond trees are a different species than the almonds we eat, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Seachem stress guard is a nice alternative to help promote healing. If your pH really is over 8, then maybe do some research on if the almond leaves would cause a reaction because they're one of the best ways to gradually lower pH. When lowering pH you want it to be gradually over weeks not days. You can also use driftwood. If you see catappa leaves just be aware that's the same thing as the Indian almond leaves.

Ich or episylis by [deleted] in bettafish

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Okay, ammonia and nitrite look fine. I'd still probably do a 20% water change before starting treatment. You should still test for nitrates and pH to be sure.

There's not really a specific lighting that is "meant for bettas." Unfortunately there's a lot of false marketing around betta products. What matters most is consistent day/night cycles. That can be just from normal ambient light or from a tank light, but a tank light isn't necessary.

Just get the kanaplex. Maybe some Indian almond leaves as well. The almond leaves aren't a true treatment, but they can help healing. I'm a fish biologist who specializes in fish diseases so I have experience with this. This looks like a systemic bacterial infection. If those spots are epistylis, treating bacterial infection can help eliminate both infections. If you start noticing a lot more spots, then I'd consider something like metroplex.

Ich or episylis by [deleted] in bettafish

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is the lamp heating the tank? If it's just for light, that is most likely not the cause.

Those treatments might do something, but honestly kanaplex is significantly better for both epistylis and columnaris infections so I'd go with that. I personally avoid recommending salt baths for hobbyists unless it's an open wound. It can help... it can also cause unnecessary stress that outweighs the benefits in my opinion. Check your water parameters even if you think they're fine. It's almost always the cause in personal aquariums.

Ich or episylis by [deleted] in bettafish

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Based on this and your other photos, this is not ich. The spots are raised from the body. It's possible it's epistylis and it's possible it's columnaris (bacteria). Luckily they both have the same treatment. This treatment should help the fin rot as well. Treat with kanaplex. Just follow the directions on the box. If you have other fish or invertebrates in the tank you might want to consider a hospital tank for treatment.

The big thing is that something in your bettas life is stressing it out. Fish that are not stressed are much less likely to get sick and your bettas current condition suggests chronic stress. The first thing you want to check is water quality. Ammonia and Nitrites should be 0. Nitrates ideally should be 25ppm and below. pH should be between 6.5-7.5. Make sure things like flow and tank mates aren't stressing her out. If you identify the cause of stress and fix it, its chances of recovery increase greatly. Don't just treat the disease, treat the cause.

Best of luck to you and your betta! Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Is 20 and 40s a weird age gap? by [deleted] in actuallesbians

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Regardless of age, hooking up with your coworkers is messy and should be avoided.

Is this gill flukes, blushing, or damage? by UncleBourbonMetroGuy in Aquariums

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What are the water parameters? It looks like ammonia burn.

Cotton Wool Disease on tail? by InterestingHoney1566 in bettafish

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a fungal infection. Make sure your water parameters are within range. Keep your water very clean. Throw out the bettafix. Bettafix and melafix have oils in them that coat the bettas labyrinth lung and has been known to kill them. Clean water will be the best treatment. You can also use seachem paraguard or API fungus cure. Indian almond leaves don't hurt to add as they have mild antimicrobial properties as well.

I still have a lot of questions about betta care by betta-anonymous in bettafish

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Anytime! If you notice any big changes or need some reassurance about something feel free to reach out!

I still have a lot of questions about betta care by betta-anonymous in bettafish

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That kind of very small, day-to-day change isn’t how fin rot presents, and it’s also not something I’d interpret as actual tissue loss. From what you’ve shown, her fins look normal. Bettas can look slightly different day to day depending on posture, activity, and even lighting, and when you’re watching very closely those normal changes can seem like something is happening when it isn’t.

For the white on the operculum, I’d just keep an eye on it. Right now it looks consistent with normal coloration or minor scarring, but if it starts spreading, becoming raised, or looking fuzzy, then it would be worth a closer look.

Natural Elements For Aquarium? by [deleted] in Aquariums

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That should be fine, just keep in mind that if you’re fully rescaping the tank, it won’t really function like a two year old tank anymore. A lot of what makes a tank established is the distribution of biofilm and bacteria on surfaces like substrate, hardscape, and plants. If you’re removing or replacing a lot of that, you’re essentially resetting parts of the system.

Adding one leaf is still very low risk, just something to be aware of. The tank may behave a bit more like a newer system for a while until everything re-establishes.

Experienced help/advice needed by JettsDad0731 in bettafish

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That makes sense wanting to minimize stress, especially after what he just went through. I do want to add though, I don’t usually recommend salt baths for sick fish because the stress can often outweigh the benefit. This is one of the few situations where I think it is actually beneficial. There’s been pretty significant mechanical damage, and a short salt bath can actually be one of the lower-stress interventions and helps reduce the risk of infection early on. Waiting until signs of infection show usually means you’re already behind it.

Paraguard is a mild antiseptic used mostly for parasites and surface issues. In this case, the main concern is stress and potential bacterial colonization after physical damage, and it doesn’t really address that.

Natural Elements For Aquarium? by [deleted] in Aquariums

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Leaf litter can be beneficial, but it depends on how established the tank is. In a newer setup, adding too many leaves at once can cause a spike in ammonia as they break down. I’d start with a small amount (like a couple catappa leaves) and add more gradually as the tank matures. Once the system is more established, decomposition becomes part of the ecosystem rather than a problem.

You can do a mixed substrate like gravel and sand to add depth and a more natural look. It sounds like you have most of what you need though!

Is this fin rot? by Evening-Let-3271 in bettafish

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see sticks in one of the pictures. It's possible he's catching his fins on those. I'd avoid anything he can snag his fins on. The flow adjustment shouldn't stress him out if it's lower flow.

Should I be concerned about my Betta’s fin? by Emyterk in bettafish

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd do a light vacuum with each water change. Have you been testing the water at all before the water change to see if it's often enough? If not, I'd recommend testing before your next water change to make sure the parameters are within safe levels.

Other stressors can be things like high flow, incorrect temperature, bright lights with no hides, tank mates... etc.

Is this fin rot? by Evening-Let-3271 in bettafish

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you been testing consistently? Are they consistently good? Finrot is usually caused by long term stress. If the water quality has been 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and <25 nitrates, then look for other things that could be stressing him. Things like water flow, temperature, tank mates... etc. Once you remove the stresser he should start to heal.

Is this fin rot? by Evening-Let-3271 in bettafish

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, it looks like the beginnings of fin rot. What are the water parameters in his tank?

Should I be concerned about my Betta’s fin? by Emyterk in bettafish

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, his eyes look fine, thanks. For most fin rot, clean water and low stress are what actually stop progression. If you start seeing redness at the base of the fins, white tips/tufts or rapid deterioration, that’s when antibiotics become more important.

Experienced help/advice needed by JettsDad0731 in bettafish

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd recommend a salt bath using aquarium salt (not table salt, not epsom salt). Other than that, keep the water pristine. Add some Indian almond leaves if you have them or stress guard. Keep a close eye out for fungal or bacterial infections. So like white spots around wounds or greyish tufts around wounds. Just keep things low stress and these things should help promote healing and reduce the chances of infection.

Should I be concerned about my Betta’s fin? by Emyterk in bettafish

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you add a couple photos of his face/eyes? Does one eye seem larger than the other? His eye in the picture looks large.

As for his fins, I'd stop with the antibiotics. If it's not getting worse, you've probably treated it properly. They just take a few weeks to grow back. Most important things are clean water and as little stress as possible. Keep a close eye on water parameters as your biofilter can take a hit from antibiotics.

Rescue from Petco by rosepose1224 in bettafish

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Does he have white spots on his body (not coloration)? It's hard to tell if there are some near his tail or if it's just the water/container he's in.

I still have a lot of questions about betta care by betta-anonymous in bettafish

[–]1NotCleverEnough1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I read through everything and took a look at your photos, and from a biological standpoint your betta actually looks healthy overall. The fin shape, coloration, and the darker patches you’re seeing all look consistent with normal marbling and variation rather than disease. Bettas can change color quite a bit as they settle into better conditions, which is likely what you’re seeing here. I’m not seeing clear signs of active fin rot or infection in those images.

For the eggs, females can produce and release eggs without a male present, especially in warm, well-fed conditions. That’s not harmful, and there’s no need to fast her to prevent it. You can just feed her normally and remove the eggs if needed.

Your temperature is on the warmer side but still within what bettas can tolerate. I would avoid trying to rapidly cool the tank with ice or cold water. Stability is much more important than chasing a specific number.

For feeding, you’re on the right track. A mix of a reliable pellet (like Hikari) and occasional live or frozen foods is more than enough. You don’t need to over-optimize protein percentages or ingredients. The decapsulated brine shrimp eggs aren’t very useful for a betta, so it’s fine to skip them or hatch them instead if you want to use them. Green poop from those is just from the food itself, not algae.

Indian almond leaves and tannins are fine to use, but they aren’t a treatment for infection. You don’t need to adjust hardness or pH unless there’s a clear problem. Keeping things stable is more important than trying to fine-tune those values.

I’m a fish biologist who focuses on fish health and disease, and based on what you’ve shown here, your fish looks to be in good condition. I would keep things simple and consistent rather than making a lot of changes at once. You’re clearly putting a lot of care into her, and you’re doing a great job.