Back story: I got him from my neighbor, who was using him as decoration, in a decorative cylinder vase. We were suppose to be fish watching while she was out of town but after seeing how sad he looked and watching his counterpart, Tina (in a separate vase) die, we told the neighbor my little sister really wanted the fish and boom Ike became family (she couldn’t care less btw !). I then put him in a 1 gallon for a few weeks, I know not ideal but, it was a little better then before. Plus I needed time to do my research and save money for a new set up. Despite everything he has a great appetite, really attacks the food with a little help seeing it by me shaking my finger above the food out of the water. I’m still feeding his stereotypical betta pellets. until I do more research .

Signs of illness: He was swimming vertically and he seemed to have trouble sinking and had a tear (I’m assuming it’s a tear) at the bottom of his abdomen between his fins it looks like a small white bulge , I used a small dose of api fin and cure powder, which seemed to help a lot.

New home: 20g tall (I’m not sure if I cycled the tank correctly.)

I used tap water (my home has a water softening system not sure if that effects anything) -I added aquasafe plus (a conditioner and dechlorinator) - EasyBlance plus (regulates ph). -I bought a 5-10gallon whisper filter turned it on immediately (I was told that enough since it’s only fish) -all tetra products above - ViaAqua quarts heater (temp: 85 to promote health bacteria growth)

My gravel, sand, rocks, seashells etc came from two established tanks and so did the live (Java?) fern.

When I tested originally (two days after set up ): 

GH: 30-60 (ppm?) kH: 180 (ppm?) PH: 7.0 Nitrite: 3.5 (ppm?) Nitrate :80 (ppm?)

After that I topped off the top of the tank with about a gallon of water, added conditioner, then put two live Amazon swords (from petsmart ). Two days day after I set up the tank, I added a small source of ammonia then a day and a half later added api quick start.

Tested again (two days after the first water testing) 4 days later since the start of the tank:

Gh: 30 (ppm?) KH: 120 (ppm?) PH : 8.0 Nitrite: 0.5 (ppm?) Nitrate: 40 (ppm?)

Now this is where I’m not sure if I went right , half a day later I lowered the temp to 80degrees and added Ike (the betta) to the tank. It’s been one full night and we’re going on night two he’s seems really happy and he’s swimming everywhere. I haven’t fed him yet In the new tank, because I was told to decrease his food because of the potential swim bladder. He’s swimming almost 75% horizontally now. The tear seems to be healing, it’s only visible if I’m looking under him verse being able to see when we’re essentially face to face. he seems to be very alert active and responsive (even before the tank change even more so now. ) he swims around the whole tank taking breaks and resting in different areas. I also believe he’s building a bubble nest .

Questions I have: -Do you think he’ll survive ? -Does it sound like a wound or Ick ? -Does he have fin rot ? -Sex and age ? -Do the plants need fertilizer? -Is a bubblier necessary ? -What can I do better (in the future and now ) ? -Did I handle this situation correctly ? What can I add to improve his quality of -life ? (Snails ? Or any edible components? Or toys ?)

Recommendations i need: Plants ? (I’m thinking about doing with a full planted tank with driftwood later down the line) -Foods ? -Medication ? -Water products ? -Ways to keep this budget friendly if possible :)

In conclusion: Im not quite sure what I’m doing , I just want to help him, I’m open to any suggestions and appreciate any responses in advance (we need all the help we can get lol)… p.s. I know fish keeping isn’t a cheap hobby but I’m 21yr old student so my budget is limited,but I’m always willing to save to give my animals adequate care :)!

I also posted to the betta sub, trying to get as much information as possible.

adding link to photos: https://www.reddit.com/r/bettafish/comments/t9adeb/new_20_gal_betta_tank/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf