BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish Shredded tail fin

Today I changed my office betta's water, and to my horror and dismay, after re-entering him into his clean tank, I noticed his tail fin was quite a bit shredded. I know for a fact it happenened sometime today because this morning when I fed him he flared happily and there was nothing wrong with his tail.

Is it possible he either ripped it on something in his tank or bit it himself? There isn't anything sharp in his tank. I have all silk plants. What's the best thing I can do to make sure it heals correctly? When I change the water, I use a bit of aquarium salt and Stress Coat as a water conditioner. Would that work alone, or with something else?

I would simply add some extra of each. That and keeping his water clean should be enough. If his water gets dirty, it may lead to finrot. But just some extra salt, stress coat, and clean water should do it.
Good Luck!!

Awww sorry to hear that! Mine had fit rot regardless that I do 100% water changes every week (and adding aquarium salt) so just watch him for developments and act accordingly.

GOOD LUCK!!!

I'm wondering now if it isn't fin rot after all. Today his fin didn't look any worse, but I did notice two small pieces of his fin on the bottom of the tank when I came in this morning. I'll have to keep watching him closely. He seems to be fine otherwise.

I can't imagine how he would have fin rot; I've only had him two weeks and his water has been kept clean. Go figure.

fin rot is pretty obvious when you see it. it sounds like it's just torn. Amber's got the perfect advice listed above.

No changes to Gus' fin today. (good sign, I hope!) He's still happy as ever. One other question, though. Should I add the extra aquarium salt and Stress Coat every day or just with each water change, and if only with each water change should I make them more frequent until he heals? (I currently change his water every week)

Just with each water change. You definately want to do really frequent water changes. If it gets any bacteria on the tail, it could lead to fin rot. I would probably do big water changes about every 3 days.


Glad to hear that he hasn't gotten worse!
Amber

I'm happy to report that Gus' fin is healing up quite nicely. I can't believe how quickly it heals, actually. It's only been a week.

Alas, my poor Moe at home also tore his fins, as well. Not sure how that happened either, although I did remove what could have been the offending piece. Arrgh, you've gotta be so careful. Strangely, I did catch him nipping his fins last night!

Hi Panini. I just read your post about the mysterious shredded fin. This morning my betta was normal, and then I peeked on him a half hour later and his tail fin was shredded. I was really disappointed because he was starting to heal nicely from the same problem a few weeks ago. Does anyone know if it is common for a betta to bite his own tail? I've never seen him do this, but there isn't anything in the tank that could do that to him. Also does anyone know why bettas do this? Thanks FW

I would like to know why this is as well! Both my bettas are continuously and mysteriously getting shredded fins. Just when they start to heal, suddenly they're shredded again. This has happened at least two times to both of them and I have scoured their tanks for anything that could possibly be the culprit. I am so frustrated!!