Bettas Tail Looks Weird

[MrsHennesy87]

his tail has always been very full and beautiful and now it looks stringy and pieces are missing. im attacthing a photo. i need advice

 

[blinky000]

With the way it looks, I'd be inclined to say it might be tail biting. I've got a tail biter at the moment and the photo looks awfully familiar. Watch him for a while and see if you can spot him doing it. If not, it might be finrot. Do the boarders of the ragged fins look black at all? Either way, make sure the water quality is as good as it can be, he's and that he's not getting bored or stressed. How long have you had him for? Has anything changed for him recently?

 

[MrsHennesy87]

With the way it looks, I'd be inclined to say it might be tail biting. I've got a tail biter at the moment and the photo looks awfully familiar. Watch him for a while and see if you can spot him doing it. If not, it might be finrot. Do the boarders of the ragged fins look black at all? Either way, make sure the water quality is as good as it can be, he's and that he's not getting bored or stressed. How long have you had him for? Has anything changed for him recently?

they bite there own tails? ive had him for a couple of months now, no i dont see any black spots on his tail. they just look brittle like there gonna break off,. hes in the tank by him self like hes always been. nothing has changed for him

 

[blinky000]

They usually either do it because of stress or boredom. Try moving his tank to a busier room and putting a few more things in the tank for him. Putting a mirror up to the tank for 10-15 mins a day should keep him occupied too. This link should be able to help:
http/bettysplendens.com/articles/page.imp?articleid=1113

 

[MrsHennesy87]

Well his tank is on the breakfast bar which is right by the living room where me and the kids are all day long. And ok I do the mirror sometimes ill start doing it more. I didn't kno if I left it up for to long if it would stress him out

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Are the plants in your tank real? or plastic?

 

[MrsHennesy87]

He has one plastic in there and a nice sized real one

 

[Dieses Madchen]

He has one plastic in there and a nice sized real one

Take the plastic one out. I had plastic ones in with my betta and it shredded his tail. I then bought Bettafix and treated him with it. His tail was good as new in a week. Plastic plants can have some jagged areas. Its best to use real or silk plants. I have silk plants in with my boys now and I havent had any more fin injuries.

 

[MrsHennesy87]

Good to know. I'm taking it out now.