Darn It!

[woodstock]

I made the stupidest mistake ever. Shame...

Well on my second betta's side of the tank, his tail got cut a tiny bit because of this one new plant. It's being returned. It was fairly big, and he was happy in it, but I know it can do worse, so I'm gonna get something else. I have this one plastic plant, from his 1/2 gallon days, that had no problem with tearing. So I put it in.

... "no problem with tearing"... so I thought.

His tail is shredded. Or rather, split. It's terrible! He looks like a double veil tail!! But in a bad way! I feel so bad... I assumed way too easily. Such a stupid mistake caused a big issue. It's gonna take forever to heal this... hopefully I won't need medication.... I'm gonna do a water change as soon as I can.

-Apologies, dear betta :\

 

[Neesmo]

Water changes and keep an eye on him and Im sure it will heal up nicely

Kyle

 

[plecostomus-mad]

poor betta

are you sure its the plant and him not nipping himself?ive heard betta's do this?

 

[Mauricia]

Did you see him tear it on the plant? Is it just the one rip right down the middle?
I thought those types of rips were indicative of bettas "blowing" their fins out by flaring too much. But I might be wrong, as I'd only heard this to happen with large tail types like halfmoons.
Either way I wouldn't worry about it too much, in clean water fins heal quickly and your betta is probably not much bothered by it.

 

[woodstock]

Mauricia, I've heard of that kind of tearing before. This wasn't it though, there was no reason for him to flare at.
And I'm 10000% sure it was not from nipping, because this kind of *split* is not caused by nipping. It's like a clean cut through.

I'm not too worried, but I'm just...so...sad. Lol

 

[Volleyball_Rox]

Aw lol we all make mistakes!
I have no idea if this will help at all, but I've heard (read) that if a betta has a torn fin, it is more likely to get fin rot. So, do not do this, you might wanna research it, or other people can tell me if I'm wrong, but maybe add some aquarium salt to his water? I have some for my hermit crabs, and it is for freshwater fish, and it gives them "added electrolites and prevents against disease and infection." I got mine at walmart, for One dollar and 63 cents. It comes in what looks like a milk carton.
Will this help prevent infection because his tail split?
Idk, but it is worth a try!
LoL. Maybe. Research.
And I'm sure your betta forgives you, you are so good to him!

 

[woodstock]

Volleyball_rox, i use aquarium salt, and it's great But ONLY if you use it correctly. Betta seem to be much more sensitive to this, so the tiniest overdose, they get irritated. Mine react by clamped fins. Just a small water change worked! And for some reason, people seem to not pay attention to this but... salt never evaporates! Never! So if you replace 1/2 gallon, ONLY put 1/2 gallon in. Some people with like, 5 gallons take out 1/2 gallon, but put in 5gal worth of salt to "replenish" the whole tank. Oh, and if your water evaporates (it will, if it's at a good heated temperature), don't replace salt either. It's still in there. People do this a lot, so just thought I'd play safe and repeat it

Prevent infection? It's supposed to. So we'll see. I use this, and garlic juice, so he should be fine. I'll be on the lookout

And thank you

 

[woodstock]

So he's indefinitely better! I'm feeding him some more freezedried bloodworms than normal, for the protein. Helped heal sooo much. And no meds, whoot! Hikari bio gold pellets have good amounts of proteins right? I seriously need to get those, ASAP. Good thing I'm goin' to Petco soon. Gonna spend $30 on new plants, gravel (gravel bed is way. WAY too low.) and food. This is my idea of a shopping spree.

Anyways, the entire cut has healed about 50%. And that's actually a LOT. The whole slit closed up about a little more than a centimetre! I'm suprised, I didn't actually expect quick results.

Excited for the "shopping spree." I can't get any bettas, so, must resist.......

 

[silverrabbit]

Glad he's getting better

 

[GuppyGoddess]

Aw lol we all make mistakes!
I have no idea if this will help at all, but I've heard (read) that if a betta has a torn fin, it is more likely to get fin rot. So, do not do this, you might wanna research it, or other people can tell me if I'm wrong, but maybe add some aquarium salt to his water? I have some for my hermit crabs, and it is for freshwater fish, and it gives them "added electrolites and prevents against disease and infection." I got mine at walmart, for One dollar and 63 cents. It comes in what looks like a milk carton.
Will this help prevent infection because his tail split?
Idk, but it is worth a try!
LoL. Maybe. Research.
And I'm sure your betta forgives you, you are so good to him!

Aquarium salt can help out. One of my fish was sick and I used it and he healed up quickly. When fins are torn, it's especially important to do regular water changes. Oh, and if your fish isn't use to aquarium sale (as mine wasn't) it's better to use a bit less than the box recommends.

 

[woodstock]

Guppygodess, I always use less than the box recommends. A safe 95%, guestimated. I personally recommend aquarium salt, definitely, but only if the owner can actually USE it right, lol...