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cookie asked in PetsFish · 1 decade ago

Beta "Tail" Seems Shorter and More Jagged?

Hi All,

I'm a new beta owner, I've had my fish for about a month and a half. Here he is:

http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y261/tbirdie/Pets...

He lives in a 10 gal bookshelf tank that is about the length of a 20 gallon. He lives alone and I have a sponge filter. I've got a carbon cartidge for it but never put it in because people kept saying not too. The filter is turned down pretty low so that there isn't much of a water current. I don't think it is turned up much higher than it used to be before we moved.

About two weeks ago we moved and I had to transport him to the new house. That was his last water change. I just noticed yesterday (things have been a little crazy) that his "tail" seems shorter by atleast 40% and more jagged now. He is still active, still eating, and still moving around. I'd take a picture, but I can't find the cord to my camera... it is in one of these hundreds of boxes.

Any suggestions?

Update:

I do have some plants, but they are fabric and I picked one with broad non-sharp leaves so that he wouldn't get cut or mess up his fins on them. I do see some definite discoloration around the end of his fins, I just can't believe so much of them are gone in such a short time period. I did a 75% (got kind of carried away) water change and added some salts and 3 tsp of betta fix (it is a 6.6 gallon aquarium, not a 10 gallon, I always get confused because of how long it is). He is swimming around and seems to be fine so far, I hope he starts looking better soon. I put a java fern that I have had quarantined for a month in there today in hope that it might perk him up some.

Thanks for the advice all, you think I am on the right track? How often should I add in the betta fix? Do I need to do daily water changes since I changed so much out and cleaned the gravel all this once?

Update 2:

http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y261/tbirdie/Pets...

4 Answers

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  • Alahna
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    It could be fin rot from dirty water, or stress. Do a water change and put some Aquarium Salts and Bettafix in. Do a 50% water change daily for a couple days until it looks like its getting better.

  • SG Brittanys
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    Are the edges of the fins black? If so, odds are it's fin rot. If the edges aren't discolored and it just appears ragged with chunks taken out, it sounds like he's become what betta folk call a 'tailbiter'. Tail biting can be caused by anything, normally stress or boredom. In the case of your little guy, I'm guessing the stress of the move may have done it. Just keep him in a calm area and he shouldn't bite again. However, make sure you keep his water clean, or he could develop actual fin rot or fungus.

    Source(s): http://www.ultimatebettas.com/
  • KathrynLaura
    1 decade ago

    We just moved ourselves and so I understand how hectic it can be! This is most likely fin and tail rot caused by a bacterial infection. To prevent this, water changes of about 25% are recommended weekly, even with a filter. Try doing a water change of 25% (with treated water of course!) every day for the next week, as well as adding small amts. of conditioning salt (as directed) and antibiotic medication, all of which can be purchased at your lfs or pet store. Good luck!

  • Elyse N
    1 decade ago

    first off, HES BEAUTIFUL! he looks like one of mine. I have 5 (3 crowntails) and my oldest (my 1st one) i've had for about 3 yrs now.Most likely if u have lots of plants, especially artificial, he could be brushing them and getting his pretty crowntail fins caught. They break off easily. My fav. one I used to have in a 55 gal. tank w/ other fish. The angel fishhies got big and ate ALL of his fins off. He is now prettier than ever w/ all his fins grown back and more muscular than the others.

    If your's is loosing his fins, chances are, no matter what, they'll grow back

    WARNING: Betta ownin is highly addictive, you may soon end up with 10+ hehe :P

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