Betta Ripped Half His Tail Off!

[Dreamer03]

I have been having some issues with a betta. He gets upset every time he sees his tail and attacks it. I thought it was his reflection that cause trouble and took care of it so he wouldnt see it. And he got hold of his tail... What can i do so he wont get angry at his own tail. No reflections inside tank I took care of that already.

 

[Mamashack]

Is he actually biting his tail? Does it look like it could be inflamed in any way?
Could he be bored? I've heard that they can self harm when they have nothing to do.

 

[Dreamer03]

No inflamation. He kinda gets angry every time he sees his tail. And well there is a lit if plants and little caves. I tried a community tank for him but nop. Its a 7.5 gallon tank. I would say he is not bored but he is very grumpy.

 

[Mamashack]

Does he have anything to play with, Dreamer?
I use a mirror about once a week to get him to flare and then he parades around the tank like he's so proud he's scared the interloper off when I take the mirror away.
I also have a floating ball in there tho tbh I've never seen him playing with it.
Just a thought - they all have different temperaments.
Does he have any tank mates and what are your water stats just in case something's gone wrong.
Presumably he's in a cycled tank?
 
EDIT: Have you tried Indian Almond Extract as a water treatment? It's supposed to calm them down and helps with any healing process.
I add some every week or you can add the IA leaves direct to the tank if you can get some.

 

[Dreamer03]

I play with him and putting mirrors makes him attack his tail more. I usue loops most of time it seems to be what he enjoys most. No tank mates. I tried placing him with my platys and he killed one and almost a second one. And i assume not good idea to place him with the angelfish or my cichlids (i do have some ither bettas but they have done fine in cummunity tanks) i will try that see if it helps. I cant take the parameters right now but i checked yesterday there was no problem with the water then. But yeah the tank is cycled. I will try to get him some balls see if that works. But yes right now he is all proud of winning against his tail *sigh*

 

[Ninjouzata]

What's the temperature of the tank? How long have you had him? 

 

[Dreamer03]

Its 80F and i have had him for 6 months approximatly

 

[mhancock]

Maybe add a female or two if there's room?

 

[Mamashack]

Hmmm definitely not a good idea mhancock.
There would be a battle royal and death for sure. Even when breeding they have to be acclimatised to each other and then once mating has occurred they have to be separated. A male and a female can never be together on a long term basis - it would be a recipe for disaster I'm afraid.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Maybe some really tall plants spread out so he is always going around something and maybe less likely to see his tail in his wake?

 

[mhancock]

Hmmm definitely not a good idea mhancock.There would be a battle royal and death for sure. Even when breeding they have to be acclimatised to each other and then once mating has occurred they have to be separated. A male and a female can never be together on a long term basis - it would be a recipe for disaster I'm afraid.

Thanks for clarifying that

 

[Wildbetta]

There are some bettas that are chronic tail biters and will bite no matter what you do.  The best plan is to make sure you keep the water very clean and warm.  Feed a good diet and add some IAL or blackwater extract to the tank to help with the antibacterial properties that they have. 

 

[Meeresstille]

Do you have a background on the tank? Maybe covering up the back or even three sides could calm him a bit? If you use the aquarium light maybe reducing the light period could help? Is the flow of the filter too strong, and he feels his tail is weighing him down? 

 

[Dreamer03]

There is background, i make the fliters myself and make sure current is not strong for the betta. And i have changed the light. That did seem to help but lets see.. He is still trying to bite but a little less.