Betta Fins Curling

[Aster]

My betta's dorsal, ventral and analfins have always been curled/bent since I got him about a month and a half ago. But looking back at those pictures, I've noticed that the curling seems to be worse now and I can't figure out why. His caudal fin is beginning to curl at one edge, too.

From what I've researched, all the vague causes of fin curl don't seem to apply here. My pH is around 6.8 to 7.0, and he gets indirect sunlight from the window beside the tank. I don't have a test kit for hardness, but according to a water report I found online, it's moderately hard at 110 ppm. Parameters are 0, 0, 10ish. 50% WC weekly.

He seems healthy other than the curl and eats like a champ. He is a double tail and lives in a filtered, heated (78 degrees) Fluval Spec V with two amano shrimp. He gets NLS pellets, Omega One flakes and pellets, and bloodworms (this picky boy refuses to eat brine shrimp). He did go through a fish-in cycle, which is complete now.

Is there any way to stop his beautiful fins from curling more?

When I got him:


2 weeks ago:


Now:

 

[Demeter]

There's so many possible causes out there for fins curling, but I don't think any one really knows which one is the real cause. The one that I feel sounds the most plausible (other than bad water quality) is genetics. Some people seem to have success with adding Indian Almond leaves to help with fins curling. I've read somewhere that the effects of the leaves helped reverse the fin curl and strengthen/thicken the rays.

My young crowtail is also starting to get curled tips on his anal and dorsal fins, but the other fins are still unaffected. I don't have the indian almond leaves, but I do use oak leaves and driftwood so the water is very tinted with tannin.

 

[Bettatude]

I would increase your water changes to 50% every other day for a couple of weeks and see if there's any improvement. You could also add Seachem's stressguard to the tank after water changes. Fin curling could mean many things.

 

[Aster]

There's so many possible causes out there for fins curling, but I don't think any one really knows which one is the real cause. The one that I feel sounds the most plausible (other than bad water quality) is genetics. Some people seem to have success with adding Indian Almond leaves to help with fins curling. I've read somewhere that the effects of the leaves helped reverse the fin curl and strengthen/thicken the rays.

My young crowtail is also starting to get curled tips on his anal and dorsal fins, but the other fins are still unaffected. I don't have the indian almond leaves, but I do use oak leaves and driftwood so the water is very tinted with tannin.

I've heard poor water quality, high pH, high hardness, lack of Vitamin D, and genetics. I'm really thinking and hoping it is genetics because the others don't make sense in this situation.

It seems more common in crowntails. My betta isn't, though. Now that I think of it, I think I did see another doubletail with curled fins at the store when I bought him, which maybe means that it was bad genes..?

I have mopanI driftwood in my tank too, and it gives off some tannins.

I would increase your water changes to 50% every other day for a couple of weeks and see if there's any improvement. You could also add Seachem's stressguard to the tank after water changes. Fin curling could mean many things.

I was doing daily 30-50% while the tank was cycling, and it didn't seem to prevent it from happening. I'll continue doing it, though.

My parents are already fed up with me spending money on fish (they think a 5 gallon tank is crazy for a betta) and I really don't want to buy anything else for a while unless it's absolutely necessary. Is there any specific reason why the StressGuard would help? He doesn't seem stressed; he's active, playful, and eats well.

What else could it mean?

 

[Bettatude]

The fin areas that seem affected, does it look like it may be the fins that swim through the filter current? Are you noticing any fin loss, or is it just curling?

 

[Aster]

The current is quite low, I stuffed filter sponge into the output nozzle and poked holes in the uplift tube to reduce it. He normally doesn't swim near the current anyway.

I haven't noticed any fin loss, at least in my care... There are no plastic decor in the tank, he's never had finrot, and I'm pretty sure he's not a tail-biter.

 

[Wystearya]

I'm going to vote for genetics / weak fin rays.

My own fish has some of this going on:


His dorsal fin is a bit hard to see, but it was quite curled.
His tail fin tore here, and I think it was due to that bend in his fin ray. (He has had a lot of fin growth in the few weeks I have had him. The bend is right at where his tail length was before it began to grow.)
The analfin (I hope that is the right term) also has some bending as well.

Like you I have clean water, and good diet too. Though I plan to get some spirulina brine shrimp asap to supplement him further. I am worried he needs more calcium or something.

I *think* this is just genetics. So it's sort of nice to see someone else with this issue. Even though I am sorry your dealing with it! I know it is worrying!

I also want to add this:

My Betta's dorsal fin's curled ends have since broken off..! But, I am almost 100% sure it is because they were catching on the ripped area of his tail. Literally catching in there.

Today though his fins look like they are healing nicely already! I have been doing 50% daily water changes for the initial rip in his tail. I will continue until his fins heal up completely.

I think that fast fin growth can be both a blessing and a curse. Your Betta's fins look similar to mine. Kind of thin, especially at the ends. I still think this is likely genetic.

 

[Aster]

I'm going to vote for genetics / weak fin rays.

My own fish has some of this going on:


His dorsal fin is a bit hard to see, but it was quite curled.
His tail fin tore here, and I think it was due to that bend in his fin ray. (He has had a lot of fin growth in the few weeks I have had him. The bend is right at where his tail length was before it began to grow.)
The analfin (I hope that is the right term) also has some bending as well.

Like you I have clean water, and good diet too. Though I plan to get some spirulina brine shrimp asap to supplement him further. I am worried he needs more calcium or something.

I *think* this is just genetics. So it's sort of nice to see someone else with this issue. Even though I am sorry your dealing with it! I know it is worrying!

He's a pretty boy, it's a shame he's going through it too. Has the curling gotten worse in your case? Did it come back after they broke off? I think I read somewhere that fin regrowth can be curly.

Mine hasn't torn his fins or anything, so it's more a curse for him.

I hope it is genetics and not something that I'm doing wrong, but at the same time, I wish I could stop it!

 

[Wystearya]

Well, it just broke off yesterday. So I don't know if the dorsal will grow back curly like it was before. It is growing though! Looking better already.

I'll let you know how it goes. I will be taking more pictures to show his progress.

As long as he is healthy and able to swim I think it's fine. It's more of an appearance issue for us fish 'Moms'.

 

[bettadayz]

I know this is a decently old thread but my betta has the same thing...but MUCH worse.

He looks like free willy with his dorsal fin completely bent over and fraying

 

[Aster]

Sorry to hear your betta's got it too. My betta's curling got worse too, and I still haven't found a way to prevent it.

 

[Haleigh]

I am currently babysitting a veil tail betta for one of my close friends! He appears to be well and healthy but when I saw him his fins seem off. The tips of his fins are ragged, which I automatically thought of fin rot. But his dorsal fin is also ragged but curls over so much! I’ve attatched the best pictures I can at the moment. He’s in a 2.5 gal tank, as far as I know she was using carbon filters I since have switched to poly filter and did a 100% water change. I have this little guy for two weeks and I really want to solve the problem. There’s also a few white blotches on his tailfin — they no not appear to me ick at all they seem like small losses of pigment. Has anyone experienced this before because I’m stumped. I should also note that he was in terrible condition (he was grey) and has regained pigmentation in his whole body but he is probably about 6 months old now. I’ve never had this issue with any of my bettas before— I also keep mine in heated tanks but. The small tank seems to sit at room temp, I plan to purchase a heater for him when I can in the next day or so because t makes me so sad to see him like this even though I’m just the babysitter!

 

[Reeferxbetta]

A few questions, did you throw out whatever filter insert she had and replace it with a completely new one? By doing that you will completely kill the cycle as most of your ammonia eating bacteria lives in the filter, also I wouldn't ever suggest 100% water changes unless there is a reason to do so (toxic substance being accidentally dumped in the tank for example). Also what is room temp? Bettas are tropical fish, so room temp in most places right now is far too cold for a betta. The lighting in the pics makes it a little difficult for me to see what's going on with the fins, his dark color doesn't help either haha. Could you maybe attach a few different pics so I can get a better look? I got a betta in rough shape who has a curled fin, it doesn't get worse, it doesn't get better, it just is, and he's fine with it, if this is the case for you, I'd just leave it, is it changing at all? Specifically worsening. If not, I wouldn't worry, as long as it doesn't hinder his quality of life. As far as fin rot goes, I could help you figure out if that's what you are experiencing once I can get a better look at his tail.

Also side note, is there a specific reason you use poly filters? I just use them in my saltwater tank to keep my water clear, but if you don't have any water quality issues, they're kinda pricey to use as your regular media, no problem now because media should actually rarely be replaced, only when it's falling apart, just swoosh it in some old tank water during water changes when it's clogged, but for a betta, I'd just use some 100% polyester filling, you can get it for like $5 a bag at most craft stores or craft sections of stores, bettas don't really need any fancy filtration and it's perfect for your bacteria colony.

 

[Haleigh]

For clairification he is not my fish— he is in a 2.5 gallon tank with disposable carbon filters, so ultimately the filters are thrown away every month anyway. That’s why it was thrown out and replaced with polyfilter for now. Haha I’m kind of working with what I have on hand at the moment. It’s not exactly how I’d keep a fish but I don’t have much control over that aspect. I’ve has success with threading tail rot but it doesn’t really look like the cases I’ve encountered because just the ends of his tail are ragged and the curling caught my attention. I didn’t know if it was something I should be concerned with and the 100% water change was when I was moving his tank. His tank sits at about 75f without a heater (I’m guessing because of the lights) while the room he is in is about 70f

 

[Reeferxbetta]

The filter pad should definitely not be thrown out monthly, that never allows the tank to maintain a cycle, thus constantly exposing the fish to toxic ammonia, if the carbon pads must be replaced monthly for some reason, switch to something like the polyester filling or sponge or something that does not have to be thrown out, the poly filter pad you used shouldn't have to be thrown out, continue using it until it is basically falling apart. The ragged tail could either be from sharp decorations or he may bite his tail, I have one that does that, if the curled fins don't worsen, I wouldn't worry about it. 75 is probably ok, ideally it should be a little higher, but I don't personally trust heaters in that small of a tank, if it doesn't go below 75, and the temp stays stable throughout the day and night, you will likely be ok. If you need to move the tank again, please do not change 100% of the water, just drain most of it into a bucket, move the tank, and add it back in. Also please tell your friend not to change the filter pad out monthly, just swoosh it in some old tank water as needed, I don't see why she'd be opposed to that either because that just means she doesn't have to pay for replacement filter pads every month haha.