betta pectoral fins

[Briarmoor]

My male betta's pectoral fins are not working. They looked normal and worked when he first got here. It is almost like they have atrophied. They stick out, inverted, toward his head. He wriggles to swim and can go up and down in the tank. He comes over to see me and he eats. The rest of his fins have grown and are pretty.

A lot of people read my post on the betta section, but only one person responded. I thought someone here might have a clue to what is going on.

Could he have a parasite in his gills causing the fins to stick out? Could he have a genetic problem? He has a lava rock on his side of the tank and some floating plants. The tank divider fits tight, so he didn't get stuck on that.

The paradisefish on the other side is fine with nice fins all over. I did a 50% PWC last week, but no difference. I usually change 10% each week.

 

[WILDER]

Does he look in discomfort as though something is irratating him, the fins any fungus or translucent patches on them, any signs of flicking and rubbing on objects.

 

[Briarmoor]

Does he look in discomfort as though something is irratating him, the fins any fungus or translucent patches on them, any signs of flicking and rubbing on objects.

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No, he seems to just not be using them. I don't see anything on them and he does not flick or act agitated. I cannot see anything in the gills either, but he is a dark blue, so it is not easy. The fins have gotten kind of "crinkled" and stiff looking.

 

[SkiFletch]

how old is he? when my original betta finally passed away after 5 years his fins clamped just before he passed. I also had a second male betta whose fins clamped when he was constipated from a constant diet. a varied diet helped me in that case. still not sure about yoru situation

 

[Briarmoor]

how old is he? when my original betta finally passed away after 5 years his fins clamped just before he passed. I also had a second male betta whose fins clamped when he was constipated from a constant diet. a varied diet helped me in that case. still not sure about yoru situation

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I don't know how old he is, but I tried to pick one without really long fins as the lady said sometimes the younger ones had shorter fins. I haven't had him very long and his fins look longer to me now. Sorry that is not real helpful.

Maybe he is constipated? I give him thawed frozen food often, but maybe I could be overfeeding him? What if I give him just peas for 3 days? If he was constipated, how long would it take for signs of it clearing? Can anything like salt help him go if that is it? I have herbs I give my dogs for this.

Once the fins clamp do they ever unclamp? Also, his are not clamped to his sides, they are stuck outward, somewhat at an angle to his head.

 

[WILDER]

Clamped fins are a sign of stress, i think we need more info on size of bowl or tank, water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph, how often do you maintain his living quarters, plus do use a declorinator water conditioner, does he look irratated by something, like flicking and rubbing on ormaments.

 

[Briarmoor]

Clamped fins are a sign of stress, i think we need more info on size of bowl or tank, water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph, how often do you maintain his living quarters, plus do use a declorinator water conditioner, does he look irratated by something, like flicking and rubbing on ormaments.

Well, his fins are not really "clamped" as much as they are just wrinkled and immobile. He does not have them pressed against his body. They stick out to the sides, almost at an angle toward the front. Does this info make a difference? He doesn't appear stressed as in hiding from me or not eating. He wriggles using his other fins to swim and comes over when I come in the room and can go up and down in the tank.

He is in a 10 gallon divided tank (plastic piece with little holes for circulation), the other side has a female Paradise Fish. He has a heater on his side, she has the filter on hers. He has live floating plants and a fake plant in the gravel and a lava rock on his side. She has an ornament with java moss growing on her side. There are a few snails, not many.

Water stats: Nitrate - 20, Nitrite - 0, GH - 150, KH - 150, pH - 8.0. I do a 2 gallon PWC every week using Start Right or Stress Coat for water conditioner.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I would treat him with a mild antibiotic like melafix or a watered down dose of anti internal bacterial med(probably more effective), if the paradise fish can tolerate it, add some aquarium salt as well- my betta had a similar thing with his fins recently and they cleared up within a day or 2 of medicating him like this .