Small hole in betta upper fin

Hi all! I need any advice I can get on a small problem I have with my betta fish. This is Fishy and that small hole on his upper fin has been there for like one or two days (I have just noticed it and I'm sure I wouldn't have missed it before).

Details about Fishy:

I've had him for 3 months now and he lives in a 8 litre (2.11 gallons) tank. He only has that barrel (I've made sure it has no sharp edges) and a heater which I don't usually use since his water temperature is 26.5-27 degrees Celsius constantly. I do not have a filter since I do a complete water change every week and half a water change in the middle of the week.

I test his water twice a week and the results are always the same. The NO3 has 6 levels and mine is on level 1 which is still considered safe based on the instructions on the package. Even after a complete water change, it's still at 1. The NO2, Cl and others are perfectly fine.

He eats pallets (3 everyday since I used to give him 4-5 and he got constipated, he seems good now tho).

He always knows when he is fed and is very eager to eat. He follows my finger above the water and even jumps sometimes. He's never had appetite problems.

He is very active. Everytime someone comes into the room and he's chilling somewhere, as soon as he notices us he comes to the front of the tank and swims around close to us, full of energy. Sometimes he even flares when shown a finger.

Another thing, for the first two months he used to make lots of bubbles (that nest males usually do) but that seems to have stopped. I haven't seen him make bubbles for almost a month. I don't know if this is a bad sign.

This is all the information about him, should I be worried? He does not seem sick at all.

 

Doing a complete water change tends to cause more harm than good, really should get at least a small filter and let that good bacteria grow. As for the hole, i would change about half your water 3 times a week, for a few weeks and maybe use use some stressguard/coat, may just heal up. Otherwise probably not a huge issue unless finrot gets in and starts eating away at the tail from the hole.

 

Hi, and welcome to Fishlore! So glad to meet another betta parent! Fishy is a beautiful boy!!!

I totally agree with BigManAquatics...water changes and add a filter, and test your water parameters often.

That hole may be from flaring. Long finned bettas are prone to fin issues. That's why it is so important to have pristine water. You can also add tannins, which will tint the water brown. I know some people don't like that look, but the tannins are very beneficial for bettas and help keep them healthy and happy. You can use Indian almond leaves, alder cones, treated drift wood, or even organic rooibos tea. The tannins that are released from these products will provide some low level antibacterial and antifungal properties.

 

Hey guys, thank you so much for answering!
BigManAquatics, so I should stop with the complete water changes after I get the filter? And after the "3 times a week water changes" period, how often should I change it and how (half/complete?) ? I just want to make sure I understood everything right.

Rose of Sharon, thank you! Since I am from Romania where we can't really find fancy fish stuff (I suppose it is since I haven't heard about these and I used to raid the pet shops xD), I will do my best to find at least one of these things, even order it if necessary (although it might take a long time to deliver).

Thank you again for replying:

 

Update: I got him an alder cone! I think for a 2 gallon tank only one is enough.
Bad news tho, I tried to get him a filter but even the weakest one is too strong for him. Poor guy struggles to swim. Instead of the filter I will keep half changing his water every two days and I hope this is going to be enough as I don't know what I could to about the filter situation, I don't want to stress him.

 

Update: I got him an alder cone! I think for a 2 gallon tank only one is enough.
Bad news tho, I tried to get him a filter but even the weakest one is too strong for him. Poor guy struggles to swim. Instead of the filter I will keep half changing his water every two days and I hope this is going to be enough as I don't know what I could to about the filter situation, I don't want to stress him.

I'm wondering if any of the filters you've found could be baffled at outflow & pre-filtered at intake to make one work in the tank? It's what I do to filter 5g tanks for still water loving bettas. A baffle - usually a plastic water bottle cut to fit or a piece of sponge where the water flows out the top of the filter - can deflect the falling water. Youtube has many tutorials on making & placing filter baffles.

I combine that with sponge wrapped around the intake tube below water - a pre-filter - to protect fins & also reduce turbulence. True tho, that no matter where you are it may be difficult to find a hang on the back filter small enough for a 2g.

I do have 2.5 gallons for hospitalizing fish & for those I use tiny submersible filters that take up little space. Perhaps as you're searching for filters you can search for 'submersible filters' & find one similar. I don't know if it's a brand available to you, but I believe mine are by Top Fin.

Good luck with your little guy. Sounds like you're on top of his water changes & have gotten good advice for him. Hope his damaged fin heals up well & quickly.

 

Hey again! I got the smallest filter I could find and I tried to position it as good as possible. I thought everything was fine until that little begger (yes, look at him begging for food when he sees me above him) went directly to that corner, into that jet. He got pushed down, fortunately he didn't get hit by anything, but he was still shook for like 30 seconds. He's back to his usual self now, but I stopped the filter.


Would it be so bad if I ditch the filter and keep changing his water (partially) every 2 days, with one complete change once a week?

 

Oh my goodness, he is such a cutie!!!!

I kept bettas in 2.5 gallon clear glass cookie jars that had a heater but did not have a filter. It's just that you can't miss a water change. Waste builds up pretty quick. If I remember correctly, I was changing out 100% of the water every two days, but I did not track the water parameters, so I wanted to be extra careful. It was stressful for the fish when I did the changes because I would remove them from the tank every time. So if you can find a way to change a large amount of water and not remove him, then that would be best. You could even use a small gravel vacc to suck out most of the water, leaving just enough for him to stay in, and then very carefully add the new conditioned water on top without causing him to be pushed around. And make sure that the new water is temperature matched to the old tank water.

Lots of people keep bettas in tanks/containers without filters. As long as you are checking parameters and staying on top of everything, it should be fine.

Hope this helps!!!

 

Hey, thanks for the reply! I have a testing kit and I check the water everyday and the parameters have never been bad. Of course, the longest I went without any water change was 4 days because I was not home, but even then the parameters seemed fine. I always do the half changes with him there, but when I do complete changes I like to wash the sand and the walls of the tank by hand. He has never seemed bother by being moved tho, after I put him back in he's back to his happy and energetic self.
Also Fishy really appreciates the compliments!!

 

Hey again! I got the smallest filter I could find and I tried to position it as good as possible. I thought everything was fine until that little begger (yes, look at him begging for food when he sees me above him) went directly to that corner, into that jet. He got pushed down, fortunately he didn't get hit by anything, but he was still shook for like 30 seconds. He's back to his usual self now, but I stopped the filter.
View attachment 866242
Would it be so bad if I ditch the filter and keep changing his water (partially) every 2 days, with one complete change once a week?

For the life of me I can't figure out what your little guy did or the type of filter you have there. Did he actually get into something or just get pushed down by flow? If you pull it out of the tank would you mind posting a closer photo of it to feed my curiosity? Maybe there is a way to reduce its flow.

But as to your question I have a perhaps not popular answer. Without a filter you're not going to be able to nitrogen cycle his tank - which is the safest thing for his health & to avoid ammonia spikes. But .... I've also had to care for others' bettas without filters. You can keep him with the frequent water changes you describe.

Here's the thing - might you be able to upgrade him to a bigger tank at some point? Perhaps a 5 gallon - which in size isn't much bigger but would make world's of difference to your little guy? With a tank that size, a bunch of soft, polyester plants (artificial is fine if live plants are a no go) & a sponge-wrapped filter (less turbulence in more water volume), it's more likely he'll live a longer, happer life. Keeping our fish is a real luxury & if there's a way for you to upgrade him, both you & he will benefit - a lot. Your betta is a handsome guy & you love him. In a slightly bigger, better set up - he would blossom & you'll feel better about keeping him content.

But, for the record, if you have to go filterless for a while & do it diligently, your fish will be 'okay'. Just as a thought, are there any online 'swap' or 2nd hand groups in your area, where you could find the 5g tank, soft plants & other bits & pieces you need inexpensively? Or a aquarium hobbyists group? Groups like this, or simply passing the word around to friends & family that you're hoping to find inexpensive aquarium stuff could get you what you & your betta need.

I wish you the best Andangrn & all good things for your little guy. Please come back & ask questions as you have them - you're very welcome here.

 

Hopefully the last update:
I can't thank you enough for all the help everyone offered. 3 days have passed and Fishy's small hole has become even smaller! He's recovering well due to the water changes every 2 days and his new friend alder cone. I have learned a lot from you all. <3
aquanata, I will get him a new tank in a few days, a 5 gallon one, with a new adjustable filter and a led light. Here is the link to the filter I got the first time so you can see the name: Filtru intern pentru acvariu Prodac Magic Filter 30 l | Animax.ro
And here are two photos of it (and a lurking fish):




I will ask for your advice one more time now. I will keep doing the water changes without removing him from the tank. How often should I do half changes and when should I do full changes? I'm asking for my future 5 gallon tank since I want to make sure that I do everything good for him.

 

Hopefully the last update:
I can't thank you enough for all the help everyone offered. 3 days have passed and Fishy's small hole has become even smaller! He's recovering well due to the water changes every 2 days and his new friend alder cone. I have learned a lot from you all. <3
aquanata, I will get him a new tank in a few days, a 5 gallon one, with a new adjustable filter and a led light. Here is the link to the filter I got the first time so you can see the name: Filtru intern pentru acvariu Prodac Magic Filter 30 l | Animax.ro
And here are two photos of it (and a lurking fish):
View attachment 866292
View attachment 866293
I will ask for your advice one more time now. I will keep doing the water changes without removing him from the tank. How often should I do half changes and when should I do full changes? I'm asking for my future 5 gallon tank since I want to make sure that I do everything good for him.

Thank you for the link. I have one similar to this & you're right - it's difficult to modify. I can use mine in a 5g tho by positioning it on a short wall & turning that outflow to face the glass. A 5 gallon is shallow enough that he shouldn't be able to get under the intake panel at the bottom.

As for water changes without filter, 25% every other day & half once a week while he's healing should be fine & he can remain in the tank for them. Just pour the conditioned water in away from him. Once it's filtered & he's completely healed, 50% once a week should keep his water very clean.

I'm very glad he's healing & the folks here were able to help. It was a pleasure meeting you! I hope you & your little guy do well. Come back to show him in his new set up.

 

Thank you for the link. I have one similar to this & you're right - it's difficult to modify. I can use mine in a 5g tho by positioning it on a short wall & turning that outflow to face the glass. A 5 gallon is shallow enough that he shouldn't be able to get under the intake panel at the bottom.

As for water changes without filter, 25% every other day & half once a week while he's healing should be fine & he can remain in the tank for them. Just pour the conditioned water in away from him. Once it's filtered & he's completely healed, 50% once a week should keep his water very clean.

I'm very glad he's healing & the folks here were able to help. It was a pleasure meeting you! I hope you & your little guy do well. Come back to show him in his new set up.

Thanks for the instructions!
I will post pics of his new set up on Thursday; that's probably when I'll be able to get him everything he needs.

 

Hello guys again! The hole has finally disappeared, another one appeared but I hope that will pass as well.
I noticed another thing though. This is a picture of Fishy on 12 September:

These 2 pics are from today:

His middle tail has two splits and his lower tail has one split. I think they split gradually so I didn't even realise and thought it was normal. I'm really scared, is this fin rot? If so, what should I do? I'll move him to his new tank today, he will finally have a filter, I will continue with 25% water changes everyday and.. what else? Is this really bad? How can I help him recover?

 

Please don't be worried or scared. I wouldn't call that fin rot, but rather fin injury. Long finned bettas can and will have fin issues from time to time. The fins are delicate and can be ripped easily on decor, getting caught on parts of the heater or filter, or really, almost anything. They even can get holes in fins from flaring.

The bigger tank will help. The split parts will heal with pristine water from frequent water changes and a little bit of time. And if you add tannins to the tank, that will help as well.

 

Here's the new setup! He adapted right away, he even had his lunch here. Now he's swimming around through the plants.

 

Fishy looks like he is having a good time!!!