Lonely Angel

My Jakey has been biting his tail. He started about a month ago and it's been getting worse. I figured he was bored so I upgraded him to a 5 gal tank (from a 2 gal) but his tail is still getting worse. I haven't seen him biting it, but it's not finrot, there's nothing sharp in his tank, and I covered the filter intake but it keeps getting shorter. At first he was just losing the spikes of his crown tail, but today he took out a chunk of the solid part too. I just gave him a ton of live plants and a tunnel this morning but his tail is shorter again since I added them.

Is there anything else I can add to keep him from getting bored? Would it maybe be better to move him into the 20 gal divided so the other bettas distract him? He's on my nightstand now, though, which is where he can get the most attention since I do all of my reading and studying on my bed.

I've been treating him with Vita-chem, garlic guard, and stress coat, but since he's still chewing his tail down it doesn't get a chance to grow back. (by the way, can anyone tell me how much garlic guard I can add to the water and how often? there aren't good instructions on the bottle)

Sorry for the rambling post. I'm just so frustrated with all of this. Jakey is my little baby and it hurts me to see him hurting like this.

shellbell4ever

I'm so sorry to hear about Jakey I have not experienced any tail biting so I do not have any advise for you...But I think all you have done (added live plants,and toys)is a great start,I have only used the garlic guard for soaking my babies blood worms and pellets,but I would think maybe a capful at every water change would be ok,I'm sure if I'm wrong on that someone will correct me!!I believe that MM moved Patron from a 5ga to a 2.5 ga and that helped...again if I'm wrong I'm sure I will be corrected
I hope that Jakey gets to feeling better real soon!!

Shawnie

I havent had tail biters either..thank goodness!! but it seems most do it because of boredome...so maybe moving him in a divided to keep himself busy with other betta's, might be a huge help! always have his 5 gal ready for a backup...it takes weeks for tails to heal and dont loose patience if it doesnt happen over night ...also something that keeps my boys busy is bubbles! so maybe he needs one or the other to entertain his bad boy self! goodluck !

Lucy

That's interesting, I hope MM sees this and lets us know if that's what she did.

Martinismommy

Oh Jake! You're a very naughty boy! I have had this problem with Patron and it drove me nuts....I found him one day swimming around with a chunk of his tail in his mouth...He was proudly displaying the damage he had done to himself.....He eventually got down to just a torso and a few feathers on his underside...I have been documenting his recovery with photos which I will share when he is completely back to normal....

This is what I did for Patron and it worked....I moved him from his 5 gal hex tank into a 2 1/2 gallon....I treated him with Tri sulpha for 14 days....I added garlic guard/vita chem/fish protector to his tank daily.....After the tri sulpha I started him on rid fungus..I know this sounds like over doing it but I did not want to battle an infection.....It's been over 6 weeks and he is about 2/3 the way grown back.....

I think the key to his recovery was when I moved him into my office right above my computer...He is so busy flirting with me throughout the day that he has decided to leave his beautiful rose tail alone.....

I hope Jake gets better soon....I know how hard it is to watch our gorgeous boys destroy themself....

Lonely Angel

I hadn't thought of bubbles! I'll try that first to see if it does the trick. If that doesn't work I can try putting him in the 20 gallon.

I'll keep you guys updated on how he's doing.

Lonely Angel

Jakey built a bubble nest! Hopefully this means he's happy with all of his new plants!

Martinismommy

WhoHoooooo Jake! We LOVE bubble baths here in AZ lol

COBettaCouple

Our Mickey is in the habit of nipping his fins, ever since he got all excited when we first brought Chloe home and he saw her in her tank. They sure love to drive us crazy, huh? The cute little spoiled stinkers.