Help please!! My bristle nose female

I got a new bristle nose pleco last week I have a 3.5 gallon tank and small betta , I'm assuming my betta got a little territorial my bn plecos tail is now gone and every time She try's to swim she flips herself over my water conditions are at a good level and I separated her into a fish bowl for easier water changes is there anything I can do and what is the best way to help her?

 

Welcome to the forum and glad you joined us. A Bristlenose pleco needs a much bigger Tank a twenty gallon would be fine. In a 3.5 gal tank the betta should not have any other fish with him. In the meantime keep the water pristine with frequent water changes to allow him or her to heal. On page 3 about halfway down the thread titled PLECO!! Share Yours I wrote up a post on feeding them including fruits and veggies plus wafers . please read the post because a healthy diet will also help her heal. If you can't get a bigger tank than maybe rehome her to someone that has a bigger tank or return her. You could even do a 10 gallon for 6 months then upgrade to a 20. Alison

 

Thank you I did read your post on the veggie eating for them I will try to get a bigger tank though it would have to wait a month or two would that be okay for now ? And what is the best thing to do about her not being able to swim and flipping over?

 

What kind of tank and size is he in now? Alison

 

3.5 gallon tank and she's half inch give or take

 

Is she still with the betta? If she is you need to get her out into something else to prevent any more damage Even like a plastic kritter keeper would work on a temporary basis till she is healed. I her own container she will have a chance to heal and swim as best she can , without being knocked around and will be able to eat in and quiet, peace. She also need a piece of driftwood to rasp on. It aids in their digestion....Alison

 

Okay she's already in a fish bowl I put her there immediately after I seen her fins and I have a piece of drift wood as a decoration in a pant I will rinse it throughly and add it to the bowl again thank you very much for your help

 

Your welcome. BN plecos grow to 5 inches for females and 6 inches for males. Bettas like to be the only fish in their tank. It is their territory and they don't like other fish in with them as a rule. There are exceptions but they are few and far between . Keep us posted on how the BN is doing. Alison

 

I woke up this morning and she was flipped over her gills no longer moving I flipped her back but I'm sure she's passed the damage done was to much I think

 

I am sorry to hear that and I think you are probably right. You could try a nerite snail with your betta . Alison