Shaina

Imagine my panic when I got home from going out of state for a day and a half to find Sumo on Hollywood's side of the divider in their 10 gal tank...I don't know how he managed it but he had squeezed over the divider somehow...possible in the back where there's a 1" gap in the hood I hadn't blocked yet.

He also took out a chunk of poor Hollywood's tail...both appear otherwise uninjured. I'm incredibly grateful that they are both alive, but what can I do to help Hollywood heal properly? Will his fins grow back?

I'm going out to the store to get that VitaChem stuff in a bit -- is there anything else I should get?

I drained the tank down so the water level is way below the divider until Thursday, when I can pick up my sister's old 5 gal and transfer Sumo to that tank, and give Hollywood the whole 10 gal back.



Before:


After...HUGE chuck of his back fin is gone...

Barbrella

OH those naughty bettas!

The fins should grow back just fine. Make sure you keep the water super clean while it's healing so there will be no rot. The injury is not close to the body, so it doesn't look too bad!

Shawnie

that happened to me this weekend also!!! vita-chem, garlic guard, and fish protector with lots of water changes is what was reccommended to me...goodluck with him!

COBettaCouple

Sounds like the title of a great movie!

Fortunately, the damage looks like it will be relatively easy to heal given the 2 males in such close quarters. Shawnie listed what you'll want to add to the tank daily after 25% daily water changes. Hollywood will be all healed up in about 3-4 weeks hopefully.

Martinismommy

Sure seems like we have been having a lot of scrapping lately with the betta boys..Poor little Hollywood...I love that little fellow..I am sure happy you all got photos of all these boys before they started getting all chewed up! I only lasted 1 day with Kix and Dunn in a divided tank before I chickened out lol

Hollywood, hang in there buddy...

Shaina

Thanks guys...I'm being borderline obsessive with checking they are each on their proper sides...it'll be good for my blood pressure to have them in separate tanks.

I went to both LFS's within a reasonable distance, and the only vita-chem I found was labelled for salt water -- is there a freshwater version or is it the same product? I also didn't see anything labeled garlic guard (I asked too). I did a water change and added some extra stress coat when I did so...

Didn't realize how attached I'd gotten to Hollywood until this happened , poor guy. Sumo's in big trouble!

COBettaCouple

The saltwater Vita-Chem can be used in freshwater tanks, but isn't as good for them as the freshwater Vita-Chem.

Organic garlic juice can be used in place of garlic guard.

Fish Protector is hard to find locally and we always order it online.

You can order all 3 from www.thatfishplace.com I believe.

Shawnie

dave has saved MANY betta's with his advice..think he needs a new name! Dr Bettadave! thank god for his knowledge..otherwise id have more betta's in heaven then my tanks!

Shaina

Definitely! He's really an amazing source of Betta-y information.

Dr. Dave Bettathrive ?

Hopefully we will be able to add Hollywood to the list of Bettas that owe him their lives...

COBettaCouple

Thanks, I learned from the best here at Fishlore, especially Rose and Dino really helped out in setting us on the right track when we were getting started last year.. and keep helping us now, like Rose finding That Fish Place for us.
LOL.. Thanks, but you'll be doing the work to take care of Hollywood. I didn't even know about Fish Protector until Natalie sent me a bottle, so we all have her to thank for bringing that to our attention.

Shawnie

LOVE IT ...Dr Dave Bettathrive!!!!!!!! it fits!!