***pectoral fin problem - pictures***

I previously had a similar problem with my Betta. A very little piece of his analfin was hanging down. This was quite a few months ago and now it looks as if that piece has disappeared and there is a small space missing. Now, overnight, right in the middle of his Pectoral fin is longer than the rest of the fin. It looks to be about 1/4 inch longer. This happened overnight and all water parameters are fine. Also, I do not know the name of it (Not on fin chart), there is a fin hanging down just below his chin. When I noticed the Pectoral fin problem I noticed this fin problem - It was long and straggly looking and it hadn't been that way before. I really don't understand what is going on - I know Betta's fins will suffer from poor water quality but my water has been fine. I had an ammonia spike a few months ago but did e/o/day water changes to keep the ammonia down and nothing happened with his fins then. The rest of his fins are beautiful. What would cause a part of the fin to become longer than the rest of the fin? I am baffled and would really appreciate any help. Thank you so much!

 

Are you sure it's not that the rest of that fin has shortened making that middle bit look longer? What are your water parameters? How big is the tank and is it filtered and heated?

 

Hello Aquaphobia and thank you for your reply. The water stats as of this AM are:

Ammonia - 0
Nitrates - Barely readable - Maybe 5 if that
Hardness - 75
Alkalinity - 40
PH - 6.8
It is a 10 gallon tank inhabited by the single Betta, 4 small Mystery Snails and about 5-8 Ghost Shrimp.

The filter is a Hagen Marina SlI'm S 10 and the tank is heated by an Aqueon 100 Watt which keeps the water steadily heated at 78 degrees.

It doesn't appear that the fin has shortened - to my best guestimation, it is about 1/4 inch long (forward from the rest of the fin) and about 1/4 inch wide. I know the pictures were not the best and it's so difficult to explain. It just looks like halfway in between the fin - Part of it is longer than it goes back down to the regular sized fin again.

Any and all ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Could it just be this strain of Crowntail I got is prone to fin problems? He seems fine, very active as always.

 

Any nitrites? It's possible that his fin "problems" are due to his type but are you sure he's a crowntail?

 

Test strips? They're totally inaccurate and won't tell you the true parameters of your water.

 

Aquaphobia, There are no nitrites and yes, I am sure he is a Crowntail. When I first got him I closely compared him to the pics I found online and matches perfectly.

HI hampalong - While I have API liquid test for ammonia I could not afford the Master Testing kit. I had my water tested at Petsmart before I even came close to putting the Betta in the tank and they said the parameters were fine. I honestly don't think it's due to the water as I check it every day or every other day since the ammonia spike I had and it is consistently reading zero ammonia. The fin also doesn't look tattered (except the one under his "face") it just looks extended - very odd.

Cowboy seems fine, very active as usual.

Thank you for all of your help!