chimeranight

Soo..i'm having some problems again. I'm sorry for constantly asking all these questions..but my little guy keeps on shredding his fins somehow. Now i'm wondering if my tank is too boring or something...I changed my filter to a penn plax small world filter...I thought it'd be a better idea because it doesn't have much of a current, and it's not very loud. I was afraid that my previous filter was tearing his fins..so I changed to this one. However, when I checked on him today..his tail (which was growing back so nicely) was shredded again! I just started using vitachem 2 days ago. Hopefully that will help him grow his fins back. ammonia and nitrite are again 0, and temp is between 78-82. Maybe he's just really aggressive..he often jumps out of the water when it's time to eat..and he's bitten me a couple of times (however, i usually think it's pretty cute lol).

I included some pictures of his fins, the filter i'm using (hopefully i assembled it correctly), and the whole tank..I'm open to any suggestions to make his home a more comfortable and fun environment for him.

I also have a question about one of the freshwater ferns that I put in the tank..it appears that it is growing another plant on it's leaves..kinda hard to explain so I have some pics. It's kinda creepy in a way...so I was wondering if it should be removed. I circled the areas where the other plant is growing on the leaves of the fern.

Attached Images

	haku1.jpg (51.7 KB, 80 views)
	haku2.jpg (54.1 KB, 78 views)
	filter.jpg (86.2 KB, 79 views)
	plant.jpg (77.0 KB, 74 views)
	tank.jpg (69.7 KB, 76 views)

agabr123

i have a tailbiter and it looks very similar to the fin damage that he has. do you have a video camera? if so, then i'd try setting it up near the tank so that you can leave the room and watch him. my betta never bites his tail when i'm actually watching, i've only seen him do it once and that's because the door was already open when i came into the room and caught him!

Lucy

Poor little guy, that must be so worrisome for you.
He's a beautiful fish.
What size tank is he is? Is it possible to move him where there would more human interaction?

ags2083

The plants growing on the leaves are baby plants. That is how some plants reproduce.

COBettaCouple

If he is biting his tail, you can try rearranging decor some each week, an almond leave in the water and adding fish protector or vita-chem to the water can help with regrowth.

chimeranight

he's in a 2.5g tank. I ordered some almond leaves a few days ago, just waiting for them to come in I'll try moving the decor, and maybe move his tank to another room. I just started using vita-chem a few days ago...I do hope he'll stop this little habit soon. Thanks for all the advice!

agabr123

good luck! you can try adding some PVC pipe or hamster tubes for him to play with as well

COBettaCouple

If getting a 6.6g bookshelf tank is an option, I'd highly recommend it. It's so much more swimming space and gives you lots more options for arranging decor.

guavanectar

Maybe you could try adding an African Dwarf Frog or a Ghost Shrimp or two. Having something to observed and watch may calm him and make him happier. Of course, he may eat the shrimp and attack the frog if he ends up being a really aggressive Betta. If he nips the frog only once or twice I'd let it go, though.

I've never heard of a Betta doing such a thing. Interesting. :O

Lucy

A 2.5g isn't enough room for a betta and an ADF. In a larger tank, this combo has a chance of working. Of course, it always depends on the betta's personality.

By letting it go, I hope you don't mean to release it into the wild. In most states, this would be illegal and could have adverse effects on the eco system especially with so many pet store ADF's being infected with the deadly Chytrid Fungus.

Phinny12

The plant is a Java Fern.. it reproduces by growing "little" plants on the ends of its leaves.. as the small plant grows it bends the leaf over and roots the small plant into the gravel.. you may have to " prune" them back in a small tank as they are very prolific!

I would not recomend an African Dwarf frog with a Betta. The Females get pretty big... 4-5 Inches! And they are very active.

hssea

Put a ping pong ball in the tank for him to play (bite) with....maybe that will make him forget about his tail

COBettaCouple

A flexible bubble wand makes a great betta toy, but if you find that you have a fin nipper, a piece of almond leaf is a natural way to discourage that.