Je55*e

My betta, Mickey, is continuing to bite his tail despite changing the decorations in his tank at least once a week and doing frequent water changes with API stress coat with aloe vera. (I ordered garlic guard from Big Al's just today, and when it comes in I'll use that, too.)
I think his 3 gallon tank is just too small for him. I have a 6 gallon that I had been using as a QT tank since I moved its former occupants into the 20 gallon, and I would like to put him in there. I was waiting until I'd finished stocking the 20 gallon (just have a couple more guys to add and it's done), but I don't want him to continue to deteriorate.
So, what's worse: having Mickey wait until I'm done stocking the 20g, or putting him in the 6g and just adding in the new fish to the 20g? (Note: I buy my fish from a local business that takes very good care of their stock, and will not buy sick fish if they can help it. They practically hand-pick their fish.)

Red1313

You could pick up a rubbermaid tub and move the 6 gal filter over to it and then move Mickey and his filter to the 6 gal. Just an idea. For a better idea on the rubbermaid tub there's a thread called "quick and dirty QT setup" hiding on the forum somewhere that explains it better.
Good luck.

aquarist48

Quick and dirty quarantine setup
Above is the link mentioned in Red's post
Ken

I've moved your thread to the Betta section of the forum. I think this will help you to get more responses from Betta owners.
Thanks!
Ken

Welcome and Betta Care Guide - Please Read First!!!

Je55*e

Thank you, both of you! =)

pamd

What a dilemma. I like Red's idea of the quick and dirty quarantine setup and aquarist's subsequent link for your situation.

I would not forgo quarantine under any circumstances, even though your fish come from a reputable source.

It looks like your 20-gallon is close to fully stocked. Could you give Mickey his new six-gallon home and use his old three-gallon as a quarantine tank since these will be smaller fish in a temporary situation?

Je55*e

That's an idea too, using the 3 gallon as the QT. The only fish I have left to put in the 20g are 2 Oto's (one to replace one of mine that passed =( and one more to make their school 4), one Marble Hatchet (to add to the 2 I already have and make them a small school; they won't school with the 3 Silver Hatchets I have) and a Red Fire Gourami (I think that's what he's called; he's quite small).
Think those fish would be okay in the 3g for a couple of weeks or so?

angelfish220

If the Red Fire Gourami is a version of the Honey Gourami (which I think it is) then I think it would be fine if you stay ontop of water changes.... I think the quick and dirty QT rubbermaid set up would be better though, I have used that before and it works nicely, especially if your like me and just have all that stuff sitting around home from previous aquarium upgrades. I used a 10/15 gallon container though...

Tony G.

you could also consider getting him a divided tank. I find that they consentrate on the rival more than on their fins. I used to have my tarzan alone and he would have at his tail whenever he wanted to, then shawnie suggested a divided tank to stop the biting and it worked like a charm!

angelfish220

then also you'd have an excuse to get another betta

Je55*e

OMG you guys are terrible. I think I'm definitely going to try that. xD You don't think it'd stress him out too much?
I would love to rescue another poor Betta...

rebeccmh

My male betta bites his tail as well. I've tried so much to get him to stop, but I just can't figure it out. He did it when I first got him, continued when I got him a 2.5gal mini bow and still continues in the divided 10 gal he is in now. I've even tried getting him a bubble wand. However, since I brought him to college with me he is doing it much less, except for yesterday when he decided to do it again. I think it is because the tank is on my dresser right next to my desk so he gets to see me a lot. Try changing the location of your tank so he can see you more or at least be in a more high traffic area.

Je55*e

Sorry he's having problems :/ Is that him in your avatar? Beautiful!

whisper

You can tape a 1" round mirror on his tank to distract him from biting his tail. Probably just bordom. I have them on many of my Betta tanks and they love to flare at themselves. It's like haveing a toy for them.

Je55*e

Thanks for the idea =)

rebeccmh

Yes it is! Thank you It's very frustrating when it grows back well and then he shreds it I hope you find a way to get your to stop.

Je55*e

Me, too, and I hope you find a solution for your baby as well.

COBettaCouple

Have you tried a piece of dried almond leaf in his tank? That sometimes works to stop tail biting.

Je55*e

^That's interesting; no, I haven't. What does it do, and where's the best place to get that?

pamd

Dave's almond leaf idea is a good one. It supposedly has a calming effect. Locally, I couldn't find almond leaves but did find Atison's Betta Pro. It contains almond leaf extract.

whisper

I bought my Almond Leaves off Ebay.

COBettaCouple

A lot of Thai shippers ship the bettas with a piece of almond leaf in the bag to lower the stress/boredom levels which can get them biting their tails. It seems to work pretty well - we've seen 1000's of bettas come in the shipments and none with bitten tails.

aquarist48

Hello Je55. You can try adding a ping pong ball (just rinse it off and put it in) to help him to keep from being bored as well. I've seen this suggestion in several other Betta threads. Wishing you and your fish the best!
Ken

Je55*e

^I do have a ping pong ball in there, and he doesn't seem interested. I also have a floating glass toy with a dangling turtle on it, and a floating fish toy in there. :P He's a tough one!

COBettaCouple

We've yet to have a betta that showed interest in floating ping pong balls, but ours do seem to have a lot of interest in floating hamster tubing, flexible bubble wands and plastic hamster 'furniture' (like a couch or tv). Every week after cleaning their tanks, I rearrange their decor to stimulate their explorative nature. But we've still had a couple tail-biters Personality is part of the equation for sure.

Je55*e

I do have a small Hamster tube; maybe I'll try that after I change his water this week. I still plan to move him to the 6g tank once it's empty.