Betta Fish Ripped Tail

Help guys...I have a dumbo halfmoon betta fish in 20gal tank with 6 neon tetras and 6 ghost shrimp..they are about 5 days together but my betta got there first by 3 days before I got his tank mates... after 4 days of being together I saw a shrimp skin foating in the water and I just thought my betta eat it.so now I have 5 shrimps remaining.as I just woke up this morning I notice my the ripped tail of my betta...I was so concerned and worried is it because of the shrimp fight or the tail and fin rot thing...help me....I just removed the ghost shrimp now from the tank.. and I'm new in betta fish literally I just got him a week ago..thanks

 

Bettas are naturally aggressive fish, he probably did make that shrimp lunch. As for the fins, it could be fin rot but neon tetras are notorious fin nippers, and are usually not paired with betta fish. It could be either, but my bet is that the neons are nipping at him.

 

Bettas are naturally aggressive fish, he probably did make that shrimp lunch. As for the fins, it could be fin rot but neon tetras are notorious fin nippers, and are usually not paired with betta fish. It could be either, but my bet is that the neons are nipping at him.

I've never had neons nip betta fins, but I guess it is a possibility.

Help guys...I have a dumbo halfmoon betta fish in 20gal tank with 6 neon tetras and 6 ghost shrimp..they are about 5 days together but my betta got there first by 3 days before I got his tank mates... after 4 days of being together I saw a shrimp skin foating in the water and I just thought my betta eat it.so now I have 5 shrimps remaining.as I just woke up this morning I notice my the ripped tail of my betta...I was so concerned and worried is it because of the shrimp fight or the tail and fin rot thing...help me....I just removed the ghost shrimp now from the tank.. and I'm new in betta fish literally I just got him a week ago..thanks

Could you post a picture of the betta and his tail? If it appears that he is missing little sections of his tail, it could be due to nipping. However, if the edges of his tail is black, it probably is fin rot.

And Welcome to Fishlore!

 

I've never had neons nip betta fins, but I guess it is a possibility.

I had my neons nip at my cory cats in the first couple weeks of being in the tank, that's why I worry about that. I guess it all depends on the fish you get.

 

What kind of decor do you have in your tank? Another possibility is that his tail was snagged on a jagged edge.

 

I've never had neons nip betta fins, but I guess it is a possibility.



Could you post a picture of the betta and his tail? If it appears that he is missing little sections of his tail, it could be due to nipping. However, if the edges of his tail is black, it probably is fin rot.

And Welcome to Fishlore!

I had my neons nip at my cory cats in the first couple weeks of being in the tank, that's why I worry about that. I guess it all depends on the fish you get.

What kind of decor do you have in your tank? Another possibility is that his tail was snagged on a jagged edge.

I had my neons nip at my cory cats in the first couple weeks of being in the tank, that's why I worry about that. I guess it all depends on the fish you get.

What kind of decor do you have in your tank? Another possibility is that his tail was snagged on a jagged edge.

I have a smooth pots in the tank with some silk plants...I just git a live java fern early this morning.thank you

 

Personnally, I would guess it's nipping. I don't see the signs of fin rot, looks like tears, not rotting. A second opinion would be very helpful though. Personally if I were in your position, I would give the betta it's own tank, at least 2.5 gallons, preferably 5.5 gallons, so no more ghost shrimp will be lost, and the fins would be able to heal much better in its own tank, whether it's nipping or fin rot.

 

Personnally, I would guess it's nipping. I don't see the signs of fin rot, looks like tears, not rotting. A second opinion would be very helpful though. Personally if I were in your position, I would give the betta it's own tank, at least 2.5 gallons, preferably 5.5 gallons, so no more ghost shrimp will be lost, and the fins would be able to heal much better in its own tank, whether it's nipping or fin rot.

I will just get rid of the tetra then... I will just let the betta alone then in that 10 gal tank

 

I will just get rid of the tetra then... I will just let the betta alone then in that 10 gal tank

If you have a safe place for the tetras and shrimp to go and you're sure you won't regret that move then go ahead. I set up my 5.5 gallon betta tank for only $40 and I have two tanks, one with neons and I love them both.

 

If you have a safe place for the tetras and shrimp to go and you're sure you won't regret that move then go ahead. I set up my 5.5 gallon betta tank for only $40 and I have two tanks, one with neons and I love them both.

I just get them so that my betta has tank mates.but then if it will hurt my betta ill just let them go..thank you

 

I just get them so that my betta has tank mates.but then if it will hurt my betta ill just let them go..thank you

Got it.. just don't release them into the wild, give them back to the pet store that you got them from or sell them to someone else who will keep them. Hope your betta gets better fast!

 

Got it.. just don't release them into the wild, give them back to the pet store that you got them from or sell them to someone else who will keep them. Hope your betta gets better fast!

Thank you so much....

Thank you so much....

Do you advuce to use something fir the water? Or just let ut heal naturally?... thank u

 

Personnally, I would guess it's nipping. I don't see the signs of fin rot, looks like tears, not rotting. A second opinion would be very helpful though.

I've seen fin nipping by neon tetras before, and I agree this doesn't look like fin nip.

 

Do keep an eye on the tail of that betta, if you notice its tail reducing even after separating from the tetras it can be caused by the fin rot too, so do keep an eye out for that

 

I agree this doesn't look like fin nip

You mean fin rot? Or do you mean disagree?

Do you advuce to use something fir the water? Or just let ut heal naturally?

Keep the water quality up and see if the fin heals, which it should. If it gets worse, supplement the tank with an all-in-one aquarium medication.

 

So now I removed all the neons in the tank... he's alone now in the tank....do I need to partial change the water everyday? Thank you guys...

 

I would do a 1/5 water change twice a week, every day would stress out the fish a little too much, and as long as you have your tank cycled, twice a week should be more than enough to keep the water quality up. Best of luck!

 

I would do a 1/5 water change twice a week, every day would stress out the fish a little too much, and as long as you have your tank cycled, twice a week should be more than enough to keep the water quality up. Best of luck!

Thank you... I just changed it yesterday as its first week of water change... crossed finger here

 

Did you keep an eye on the tails and fins?? how is it doing ?? does the fins look like its receding ??

 

Is ot okay to use syress ciat as the water conditioner and half dose of the bettafix? Thank you

 

Is ot okay to use syress ciat as the water conditioner and half dose of the bettafix?

Yes, stress coat is a good idea and you can use bettafix, but it's an antibiotic and can have an effect on your bio filter, and the damage to your betta isn't severe so only use a small dose. Keep an eye on those fins!

 

Yes, stress coat is a good idea and you can use bettafix, but it's an antibiotic and can have an effect on your bio filter, and the damage to your betta isn't severe so only use a small dose. Keep an eye on those fins!

I did it half dose on both when I put it earlier after I did a 25% partial wter change...I forgot to tell now that's why I'm so worried...I just recently read yesterday about the nitrogen cycle which I failed to do...before I put caui- my betta on tank I just put water conditioner and let it cycle for just 7hours I think...I'm so horrible new petmom....

 

Do you have a freshwater test kit to test for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates?

 

Do you have a freshwater test kit to test for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates?

I don't have any with me now... if ever what is the most advisable cheapest test kit to get...I'm so occupied now but ill try to get a kit asap.

 

The API Master kit is a popular choice, it is a liquid test kit you can pick it up for around $30, but if you want to go cheaper you could get ammonia test strips. They're often considered not as accurate and you can only test for ammonia but they're much cheaper.

 

The API Master kit is a popular choice, it is a liquid test kit you can pick it up for around $30, but if you want to go cheaper you could get ammonia test strips. They're often considered not as accurate and you can only test for ammonia but they're much cheaper.

Okay thanks for the input... ill check it out later..

 

I would also recommend buying a conditioner that detoxifies ammonia, like seachem prime or apI ammo-lock.

 

I would also recommend buying a conditioner that detoxifies ammonia, like seachem prime or apI ammo-lock.

Okay...thank you...I will note of those things when I go to petshop later.

So if I get the apI ammo lock is it okay yo add in again to my tank tight away with stress coat and bettafix in it?

 

Yes, you add some into your tank, as instructed on the bottle to detoxify the ammonia, then use it instead of the stress coat when doing water changes, until your tank is cycled.

Actually, sorry use with stress coat during water changes

 

Yes, you add some into your tank, as instructed on the bottle to detoxify the ammonia, then use it instead of the stress coat when doing water changes, until your tank is cycled.

Okay will keep it in mind...I should just post something here yesterday about the nitrogen cycle which I forgot to do so then u can advice me right away and got thise things I need....I got some aquarium salt but I didnt used it right now..as I was debating in myself which is which to use...that's why ealier I just used the stress coat and bettafix...I didnt put my usual water conditioner since I have the strss coat already...am I doing good?

Okay will keep it in mind...I should just post something here yesterday about the nitrogen cycle which I forgot to do so then u can advice me right away and got thise things I need....I got some aquarium salt but I didnt used it right now..as I was debating in myself which is which to use...that's why ealier I just used the stress coat and bettafix...I didnt put my usual water conditioner since I have the strss coat already...am I doing good?

Okay got it... no more bettafix then? Until when should I used the bettafix?

That's the first day I noticed him

 

I would advise against the salt, it's pretty tricky to get the right ammount and if you already have the bettafix, I think you should just use that. Aslo note my mistake earlier, ammo lock is not a dechorinator/conditioner, it just detoxifies ammonia, so use it along with stress coat. Seachem Prime on the other hand, both removes chlorine and detoxifies ammonia.

 

This one is yesterday...


This one is this morning.... I don't know if it gets better

I see...thanks... I might use the stress coat and apI ammo first...coz I just opened a big bottle of stress coat...I will just return then the salt...thank you. You are the only one I really talked to right away besides bettabean from ig who give advice...big thanks

 

Looks like tissue is starting to grow back. Could take a little while to fully heal, but your betta will be ok, the fin damage is the least of your worries right now. Keep up with the water changes to keep that ammonia down. Best of luck!

 

So I just put bettafix the stress coat and apI ammo on my next water change right? But ill put asap the apI ammo once I get it later...am I tracking the right way?...then test the water till I get it completely cycle....much much thanks

 

So I just put bettafix the stress coat and apI ammo on my next water change right? But ill put asap the apI ammo once I get it later...am I tracking the right way?

I don't know about the bettafix during the water change, I think you just put that straight into the tank after a water change. Read the labels to be sure, put too much in and your tank will take way longer to cycle because bettafix is an antibiotic. Other than that, yeah you got it correct.

 

I don't know about the bettafix during the water change, I think you just put that straight into the tank after a water change. Read the labels to be sure, put too much in and your tank will take way longer to cycle because bettafix is an antibiotic. Other than that, yeah you got it correct.

Okay....that's good you mention that it will take longer for the cycle...thanks...

 

I'm sorry, I keep getting mixed up, I don't mean to confuse you, there's just a lot of misinformation out there. Ammo lock IS a dechlorinator. Use in place of stress coat for a while. I'm sorry for flipping it so much, this is for sure though. Ammo lock DOES remove chlorine.

 

Okay..so for now..ill just use the ammo lock when I change the water... one more thing..I forhot to tell u that I'm not using the heater now since my water temp is in 79-82 when I check it... is that okay...iys really hot now where I am
..

 

Bettas can withstand temperatures to up to 86 F, not a problem. Also yes, use ammo lock for now during water changes.

 

Bettas can withstand temperatures to up to 86 F, not a problem. Also yes, use ammo lock for now during water changes.

Okay... ill just use the heater when the temp drops...

HI there.... I just tested the water... everything is 0ppm but my ph is 7.6 ehat should I do...I don't have the meds for that....

 

7.6 is perfectly fine for bettas, they can withstand 6.0-8.0. What are your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels at?

Sorry didn't notice you said 0ppm, keep the ammonia from 0.50-1.0ppm to get the tank cycled