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How long does it normally take for fins to mend if they have been torn?

No Wendy, I havn't tried that only because I don't want to go that route. It's such a pain to keep track of that when you start messing with the PH using those PH up or down chemicals. I would rather figure out which stores I have good success with thier bettas with, and stick to them. So far that's the local PetCo.

I don't know about PetSmart because I havn't bought any from them in a long time. They add that blue stuff to thier betta's water and you can't tell what color they are OR what kind of shape they're in...so I don't buy there.

BF....your betta's fins should start looking better almost right away...like, next day you should see some healing..where the edges just look..well, better. After a bit you start to see a clear membrane forming where there tear was. Depends on how big the injury is as to how long it takes. If you keep him in good clean water and add a bit of aquarium salt it shouldn't take too long.

ok all my Betta is trying to make me feel guilty. He won't eat and when I come around he just kinda mopes around on the bottom of his bowl. I don't know if it's cause of the difference in the water temps between the aquarium and the bowl. Since the bowl has no heater, or if he is just being moody. I am hoping it is the latter. I also believe that to be true based on the fact that he keeps swimming up to the side of the bowl where I am sitting, and then kinda flips and flops around like he is saying. See I can't swim as far as I used to please put me back. I know that probably sounds pathetic lol, but I am really starting to feel guilty now. I really did move him back cause he couldn't eat. His food would just circle the aquarium in the current and he would hopelessly try and catch a bite as it went by lol. Any ideas? Should I put him back in the aquarium and just hope he don't starve? or should I just wait him out and he will return to normal?

Lol logic, they're good at making you feel guilty aren't they!

What size bowl is this? Is there anything in there for him to play with/look at? I think you mentioned these things back a few posts..but I don't remember...lol.

I would give him awhile before caving in Logic. One of mine I had to put in the "boring tank" treatment because he tore a fin...moped around for a week until I finally got smart and put a floating lily in there for him. That's all, nothing else but this tiny little floating lily with a purple flower on top..(which he can't even see cause it's..ON top! lol)..man, he perked right up and has been blowing bubbles all over the place ever since.

So, it really doesn't take much to make them happy, you just have to figure out what that is! LOL....good luck! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Well....its been 3 days and there is no change. The water is good and clean (im going to do another water change tomorrow) and otherwise, he seems happy. So, this makes me wonder if he did in fact tear his fin or if its something else. Who would have thought all this drama would come from a fishy!?!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Do you see any redness or black along the torn edge? Does it look like it's falling apart or decintegrating? If not, don't worry too much. Just keep the water changes up along with the salt and watch for any of those other signs.

Even redness is not a sign to run for the meds. I have taken care of fin issues simply by keeping the water good and clean and salted. The blackness and falling apart though is something to watch for. That would be finrot and if/when you see that you might want to go the bettafix route.

I think your fish just tore his fin. If it were caused by finrot or ammonia burn then a good deal of the edging would be effected too. I notice with my fish that the fins start to look more transparent in the beginning of an issue, with a little redness and a general unhealthy look to the edge of the fin... that's when I take action.

I think he'll be fine BF <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yup, I would agree with all of this. Clean water and a bit of salt when things are just starting, is the way to go. I hardly ever use meds any more.

Well, my short fin blue...I think I'll just call him Shorty..lol...is finished with his bettafix regime and is doing much better...more like his old cranky self..lol.

He is no longer hiding in his cave all day and is out swimming around checking out his surroundings. Of course his fins are still clamped, but he's always been that way..cranky ole fart... <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Oh, during this treatment he laid one chicken egg sized turd so I imagine it may have just been constipation after all. Glad he's better ! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Ok what are the chances of my fish starving himself to death, or dying from being moved from the warmer aquarium to a cooler bowl? The reason I am asking is because he hasn't really eaten in three days now, and he spends most of his time sitting between the leaves of the plant I put in his bowl.