Betta Fin Nipping

[bellestar3]

I have a guy with some pretty shredded fins and don't know what the issue is. He's in a heated (80 degrees) 5.5 gallon. Parameters are perfect. All plants are silk. I've checked all the decor, he has plenty of hides. The filter is so slow, there's always biofilm. I've kept his light off. I use stress coat and I've recently added IAL. I don't know what else to do. In a FB group it was suggested if it was stress related, he might do better in a smaller tank. I wanted to see what other's experiences were. He's a pretty tail heavy guy. I'm just at a loss. I've never seen him nip, but if he does, his tail always seems worse in the morning.

 

[Iverg1]

What about the intake of the filter

 

[bellestar3]

I don't feel any suction at all when I put my hand on it, but I could see if I could find a sponge to go around it.

 

[Iverg1]

If it's not the fin nipping could be of stress

 

[bellestar3]

If it's not the fin nipping could be of stress

That's what I figured, but I don't know what is stressing him out. Someone suggested the size of his tank and he might feel better in something smaller.

 

[Lagertha]

My Betta is in the exact same position and I have no idea what’s going on.

Mines in a 2.5 gallon so I don’t know about putting your guy in a smaller tank because mines in the bare minimum and he’s still ending up like yours.

I sympathise with you!

 

[Rohit mess]

Tank size is not the issue. I have mine in 10gallon.
There is a possibility that the betta chews them off. They do it when their tail feels too heavy. I have came across few article on fishlore where people witnessed betta eating his own extra long fins.
This is one reason why I like plakats and snakeheads more than the fancy long fins one!

 

[GreekGills]

The fact is, these fish have been bred so much to achieve long,flowing fins. Unfortunately this makes them heavier, making it more difficult to swim and maneuver. They will literally chew their fins to take weight off.

 

[Gypsy13]

Is he showing any other signs of stress? Hubby says he is heavily finned. As beautiful as the are it’s just not easy for them to get around. And please please don’t put him in a smaller tank. Does he have something near the top to rest on? Floating log, hammock?

 

[tetratetris]

Fin rotttt...???

 

[Lagertha]

Fin rotttt...???

OP says the water is good. Plus she says it’s worse every morning, fin rot does not progress that fast as far as I’m aware.

 

[tetratetris]

OP says the water is good. Plus she says it’s worse every morning, fin rot does not progress that fast as far as I’m aware.

Ok

hmmmmm

 

[BReefer97]

We need readings for your water parameters, you cannot just say they “are perfect.” Unfortunately a lot of people here use that as a cop out and actually never test their water (I’m not saying you are, but water params are the first step in solving an issue). Would you be able to tell us what your readings for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate are?

 

[tetratetris]

We need readings for your water parameters, you cannot just say they “are perfect.” Unfortunately a lot of people here use that as a cop out and actually never test their water (I’m not saying you are, but water params are the first step in solving an issue). Would you be able to tell us what your readings for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate are?

Was thinking the same thing

That's one of my reasons

 

[BReefer97]

Fin rot usually progresses quickly if the water quality isn’t up to par, which is typically the reason for fin rot all together. I wouldn’t move him to a smaller tank because smaller tanks are harder to maintain and harder to keep the water where it should be. It may also stress him out too much to move him. I would keep up with frequent water changes in his 5.5 gallon and if that doesn’t do the trick, I would start treating him with an antibacterial medication. Something with Tetracycline would be the way to go because it treats both gram positive and gram negative bacteria, whereas other medications only treat one or the other and it’s impossible to tell which bacteria is effecting your fish.

 

[Motherlovebetta]

My 6ish month old crow tail has been nipping off his dorsal fins. I noticed one yesterday and one today. Any suggestions? He eats……plenty and a variety. I just got him red cherry shrimp yesterday and he pays them zero attention. He has had tank mates in the past I may get him some CPDs. I clean his tank twice a week, he’s in a 15 gallon. Sponge filter with the other filter outputs baffled. He’s got betta leaf, betta log, driftwood, almond leaves, live plants, floating plants. There is absolutely nothing in his tank that could be causing it. I just did the mirror thing with him for awhile maybe he is just angsty? He has a giant bubble nest so I am at a loss. I have read crowntails can chase their own tails? He does have huge fins.

 

[Eliza4310]

How much water do you change when you clean? What are your water parameteres?

 

[Motherlovebetta]

Like 30% just enough to vacuum the gravel and get all the cholla wood junk off the bottom. No ammonia, nitrates 5, ph 7.6. I think he’s bored or having psych issues. I will prob get him some more friends this week.

 

[nanoist]

It sounds like you’re doing everything right. All you can do is work around it sometimes. Further enrichment definitely helps. Some people have also said bettas just develop this habit even if their environment is great. I hope he heals!