Holes In Betta’s Top Fin?

I had this guy for a month now. He was just a little gift from my parents. And he’s somehow getting holes in his top fin?

His tail has a single split from the end to the middle as well. The first hole happened 4 days since I found the split in his tail, the 2nd hole happened 3 days after the first hole. The split at his tail doesn’t show signs of fin rot (I think), I’m unsure about the holes though. He isn’t lethargic and even has zoomies every now and then. His appetite hasn’t changed as well.

As bad as it is, his tank isn’t cycled since I only found out about it a few days after I had him and I don’t have the budget for the water test kit and SeaChem Prime as it is quite expensive in my country and isn’t really available in any pet shops near me. Though his water is dechlorinated/treated.

He’s in a heated 5-gallon, I’m doing 10-25% water change every other day and a 40-50% every 2 weeks. Only live plants and a few round rocks, sand substrate, and I don’t think there’s anything sharp in the tank that his fins would get caught on.

 

I had this guy for a month now. He was just a little gift from my parents. And he’s somehow getting holes in his top fin?

His tail has a single split from the end to the middle as well. The first hole happened 4 days since I found the split in his tail, the 2nd hole happened 3 days after the first hole. The split at his tail doesn’t show signs of fin rot (I think), I’m unsure about the holes though. He isn’t lethargic and even has zoomies every now and then. His appetite hasn’t changed as well.

As bad as it is, his tank isn’t cycled since I only found out about it a few days after I had him and I don’t have the budget for the water test kit and SeaChem Prime as it is quite expensive in my country and isn’t really available in any pet shops near me. Though his water is dechlorinated/treated.

He’s in a heated 5-gallon, I’m doing 10-25% water change every other day and a 40-50% every 2 weeks. Only live plants and a few round rocks, sand substrate, and I don’t think there’s anything sharp in the tank that his fins would get caught on.

I don’t know what it is, but you shouldn’t worry too much about it. It should heal up pretty fast on its own.

 

I don’t know what it is, but you shouldn’t worry too much about it. It should heal up pretty fast on its own.

Would it be ok if I move my betta to a temporary quarantine tub so I can be sure that he has clean water? I think he has some mild fin rot and people said maintaining clean water can ‘Cure’ it without medication.

I also plan to ‘restart’ his tank by cleaning up the plants and properly cleaning the substrate without worrying about him stressing out from the sudden water change, moving of his whole environment, and trying to not get sucked into the siphon.

I’ll place the same sponge filter and heater in his quarantine… tub. Place a few plants and rocks in as well.

The tub is maybe 1.5 - 2 gallons.

 

I had this guy for a month now. He was just a little gift from my parents. And he’s somehow getting holes in his top fin?

His tail has a single split from the end to the middle as well. The first hole happened 4 days since I found the split in his tail, the 2nd hole happened 3 days after the first hole. The split at his tail doesn’t show signs of fin rot (I think), I’m unsure about the holes though. He isn’t lethargic and even has zoomies every now and then. His appetite hasn’t changed as well.

As bad as it is, his tank isn’t cycled since I only found out about it a few days after I had him and I don’t have the budget for the water test kit and SeaChem Prime as it is quite expensive in my country and isn’t really available in any pet shops near me. Though his water is dechlorinated/treated.

He’s in a heated 5-gallon, I’m doing 10-25% water change every other day and a 40-50% every 2 weeks. Only live plants and a few round rocks, sand substrate, and I don’t think there’s anything sharp in the tank that his fins would get caught on.

I don't personally think he has fin rot, but I would make sure to keep up with the water changes, just in case.

 

What a beautiful betta you have!!!

If it will make you feel better to move him while you clean his tank, that is fine, but moving him will cause him a little stress. I don't remove my bettas from their tanks when I clean. They learn to move around me, but I understand that you may be new to this, and might want to do this until you get the hang of it all. He doesn't need to be in a QT for any real length of time while you clean his tank.

I think that the water changes will help with the healing of whatever rips you might see. Bettas can make small holes in their fins when they flare, so that might be what's happening to him. It's very common. The good thing about all of this is that they heal quickly with pristine water. Continue doing your frequent, every other day water changes, both for his health and for cycling purposes, too. By doing these frequent water changes, you are helping with any ammonia/nitrite issues that might arise.

It would be really good to have your own testing kit, but if you have a way to get your water tested by bringing it to a fish shop, that would be a great way to keep track, if that is available to you.

Good luck with him!