Fin rot or tear? Sick betta!!!

Hi y’all I just wanna know if my girlfriend’s betta has fin rot or tears? There’s nothing in the tank that I believe can cut his fins, all that’s in there were plants, the heater and thermometer. There was hornwort in there but since he’s alone with just two ramshorns there’s not enough nutrients in the tank so apparently they were dying but I didn’t know because I don’t see her often. Im guessing them dying and decaying made the ammonia and/or nitrites or nitrates probably increase. She also apparently hadn’t done a water change in about 1 and a half weeks. Since I’ve been here today observing him I’ve seen that he’s been sometimes just staying on the ground which isn’t unusual for him but now it’s like he’s falling to a side once in a while and catches himself. He’s eating like normal but I’m pretty sure he isn’t okay at all. I’m going to be taking him home and since I just got a new 20g long to try to grow plants out I’m gonna put him in there. All that’s there is a sponge filter and a lot of hornwort that’s actually growing good. It also sometimes seems like the bottom half of his body is raising up but he stops it from happening, this is also happening once in a while when he’s resting on the bottom. I don’t know the parameters of her tank as she doesn’t have any testing kits but I have one at home so might take a sample of her water and test it at home when I get home. If there’s any tips or advice to help me help him survive whatever is wrong it’ll be very much appreciated. Thank you.

 

He could be self fin nipping. It happens with males with long tails, usually when they are bored. Try rearranging the tank or interacting with him more.
That with clean water should heal it just fine without medication.

 

I don't see any black, so I don't think it is fin rot... He may be fin nipping, are there any plastic plants he could be tearing his fins on?

 

He could be self fin nipping. It happens with males with long tails, usually when they are bored. Try rearranging the tank or interacting with him more.
That with clean water should heal it just fine without medication.

That’s a thing??? I never even heard of that, okay thank you so much. What about him falling to the side once in a while, it’s not often at all because he goes to rest on the substrate for some seconds then goes out and about but sometimes he starts falling a little to the side of his back side going up, barely happening but it still does. What could that be?

I don't see any black, so I don't think it is fin rot... He may be fin nipping, are there any plastic plants he could be tearing his fins on?

Nope no plastic plants, all real plants that where in there, the tank is kind of newly set up, I gave her some old filter media from my 20 gallon to use in this one. All that is in is water wisteria, some pearlweed, anacharis and micro swords, only the micro swords and the anacharis are kind of growing good even though I added a lot of root tabs. I’m guessing the light is just way too low so I’ll get her a small nicrew light since the one I have grows my plants like crazy and I don’t add root tabs that often.

 

Yes self nipping is a thing, especially with male bettas with long tails. Like I said boredom is the usual cause.

As for the floating and sinking, I would definitely check out the water parameters. Even going to the store and asking them to test would be fine.
How much is she feeding him?

 

Yes self nipping is a thing, especially with male bettas with long tails. Like I said boredom is the usual cause.

As for the floating and sinking, I would definitely check out the water parameters. Even going to the store and asking them to test would be fine.
How much is she feeding him?

Okay I’ll check once I get home, and she feeds him about once a day and not a lot

 

What about him falling to the side once in a while, it’s not often at all because he goes to rest on the substrate for some seconds then goes out and about but sometimes he starts falling a little to the side of his back side going up, barely happening but it still does. What could that be?

The tipping over slightly while resting on the bottom is normal. When bettas rest they kind of let their bodies flop/sway with the current.

 

Fin nipping can lead to fin rot rather quickly if not kept in check. I had a beta who struggled with fin nipping for YEARS. Whenever his tail would grow back, he'd bite it right off again. Like already stated, rearranging the tank and interacting with your fish more can help differ from this, along with adding some new decor. Floating beta logs can be fun for your fish to swim in and out of (mine is very interested in watching it float around). Another thing I like to do is I'll often do things right in front of the tank. Mine really likes watching me fold clothes or play xbox for some reason. He also likes to follow my finger and I had a couple in the past that liked to jump, so occasionally when I fed them I'd hold the food a little bit above the water so they'd have to jump for it (like a game). They're very curious fish and need good stimulation to keep them from boredom.

Another reason betas may nip their tails is simply because they're too heavy. Those long flowy fins have quite a drag in the water, and a lot of betas just decide to sorta do a "self surgery."

Fin rot isn't always black around the edges, it can be white or red too, so watch closely for infection. Fin nipping is just simply nips or chunks missing, whereas fin rot it's more ragged, frayed, or tattered. Clean water can easily prevent this. If you keep up with water changes daily or every other day for about two weeks, his tail should start re-growing, but don't be surprised if he nips it again. Once they start, it can be a tough habit to break

Edit: spelling.