Betta tail shredded- filter, nipping, or something else?

[Sunrise]

My betta has been very life-less recently, and I noticed his tail is getting shorter and there are red spots on it. Additionally, he looks bloated or constapated. He still is eating.

 

[BigManAquatics]

A better pic of the tail and a pic of the filter could help. As for the bloating, try fasting 3 days or so first.

 

[Sunrise]

Thanks! Will try. I’ll get picks soon, I’m. In the middle of a WC.

 

[BigManAquatics]

Filter at least will be easier than the betta.

 

[andrearamirezo91]

I had a fin nipper years back and his tail looked kind of similar to this. He had a MASSIVE beautiful double tail but adter I got him from the store and put him in his tank, he started with this weird behavior. I was never able to get him to stop

 

[Sunrise]

I had a fin nipper years back and his tail looked kind of similar to this. He had a MASSIVE beautiful double tail but adter I got him from the store and put him in his tank, he started with this weird behavior. I was never able to get him to stop

I’ve had him for a few month by now. If it is nipping, what would cause it to start?

 

[BigManAquatics]

I’ve had him for a few month by now. If it is nipping, what would cause it to start?

Thats the real trick. The only fin nipper i had...i narrowed it down to either seeing his reflecrion on the back of the tank or fasting days would trigger it. So i eliminated both. Was weird before that. He would go days without nipling, tail would start growing back then BOOM!! Short again....did finally grow back though

 

[Rose of Sharon]

Two of my veil tail males started nipping when they reached the stage of sexual maturity, around 7 months to a year and a half. Then as they got a bit older, they just stopped.

When they bit, they tore their tails to shreds. I actually caught one in the act. He would swim in a tight circle. Then I rearranged his tank, and he went into his cave and bit his tail there. I removed the cave, and put decor all over the floor of the tank to make it hard for him, and he still found a way.

But with frequent water changes and Indian almond leaves, their tales always grew back and mended.

 

[Sunrise]

Sooo….I should eliminate fasting days, water change more frequently, add Indian almond leaves?

 

[Rose of Sharon]

I would do more water changes (like small water changes every other day for a little while) when they hurt their own tails, and the Indian almond leaves help because of the tannins. The tannin rich water provides some slight antibacterial and antifungal properties, so it helps prevent fungal and bacterial infections from setting in. Some folks don't like IAL because the tannins tint the water brown, but bettas love the stuff. It also reduces stress.

As for fasting days, I might go ahead and keep that unless you can tell for sure that is the reason for the fin nipping. At least, that is what I would do...

 

[andrearamirezo91]

I’ve had him for a few month by now. If it is nipping, what would cause it to start?

In my case, I had a little fake log with a cave in it. I noticed he’d nip it mostly in therr because his tail would curl around the cave and he could see it. By the time I noticed and took the log out it was too late though. His fins were all super shredded and tiny and he ended up catching an infection