Fighting Fish Has Gouges Out Of His Head?

[ZoddyZod]

Although both species are meant to be aggressive to each other I see no signs of aggression at present.

However if I catch them fighting (or see clear signs of it) then I will relocate one or the other - is that acceptable?

you don't need to please me just offering a heads-up about what might happen. Your tank, your fish.....your choice.

 

[Mr Melt]

Although both species are meant to be aggressive to each other I see no signs of aggression at present.

However if I catch them fighting (or see clear signs of it) then I will relocate one or the other - is that acceptable?

you don't need to please me just offering a heads-up about what might happen. Your tank, your fish.....your choice.

Thanks =)

 

[Jinty McGinty]

Told you already that someone was going to end up in a fight..............

 

[Aqua Tom]

Is it just me or does that fish look sooooooooo like its been in a scrap?

Its had a fight & come off worse.


Tom

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

I'm not a big fan of seeing Bettas in tanks that hold just enough water that could quench my thirst on a hot day, but given you have not got a spare tank, such a container might make the difference between life and death for this poor injured fish. Heck, a used and well rinsed 2l ice cream tub could suffice, just make sure you do twice daily water changes without fail because I presume you will have no spare cycled filter and that wound needs to be kept clean.

Like ZoddyZod, the Paradise Fish would be my prime suspect, they tend to be bullies or sulk in the corner if they are not "top fish" in the tank. However, I would not rule out a boisterous move by either of your Rainbowfish that will extend to tankmates when they do not have 6+ groups of their own kind, or longfin Angelfish that could potentially taunt your Betta (long finned fish are often seen as "enemies") which then came out far worse in a battle.

 

[colleen0309]

I don't know. By the shape and size of the lasserations, I'd be inclined to believe it was the filter intake. A strainer would prevent that and the poster has said one is ordered. Lucky he didn't end up in the impeller! I agree the fish are conspecific and should not be kept in the same tank, but I don't think another fish did the damage, this time. Sooner or later you will probably have problems with these fish, but in my opinion, it was the filter. Keep doing what you are doing. Watch for fungus and do a few more water changes to keep the water as clean as possible. Hopefully he will pull through without an infection setting in. As for using salt, your pleco will not tolerate the salt.

I'd also add that if the paradise fish didn't cause the wounds, he very well might start picking on the betta now that he is injured. Your best bet would be to get the betta out of the tank.

 

[Jinty McGinty]

Is it just me or does that fish look sooooooooo like its been in a scrap?

Its had a fight & come off worse.


Tom

Exactly my thoughts Tom as he was told this would happen already. Did he listen.......no!! Has he yet separated...........no! Makes me sick.

I'm not a big fan of seeing Bettas in tanks that hold just enough water that could quench my thirst on a hot day, but given you have not got a spare tank, such a container might make the difference between life and death for this poor injured fish. Heck, a used and well rinsed 2l ice cream tub could suffice, just make sure you do twice daily water changes without fail because I presume you will have no spare cycled filter and that wound needs to be kept clean.

Yep in this case I'd agree with you.

 

[Mr Melt]

As I've said; statistics dont really count if your fish have their own personalities.

For example, statistically Angelfish are quite nippy, and very aggressive in defending their territory.

In my tank the Angels are blind to all the other tankmates: After 4 months I have never seen them attack another fish. The same rule applies for the Pleco and the Congos (although active they are not aggressive).

The Gourami has been in for a shorter period, but I have yet to see any serious aggression in him.
The only fish I would keep an eye on would be the Red Rainbowfish at present: the Boesemani is too small to harrass the others effectively.
But I say again, those cuts are too neat and deep to be simple bites: they are a match in the spacings for the filter intake pipe (ie. 12mm apart).
Maybe these pics do the injuries no justice, but from what I see here its the most logical explanation.
As of 3:40 am he has still not been attacked, nor have I seen any aggression (and I have barely left my house all day today).

Seriously, thank you all for your advice and help, but I honestly don't think its the fish that caused this.

 

[loraxchick]

just my 2 cents:
REGARDLESS of stocking he should be moved, at least temporarily, for a few reasons.
#1-while that injury looks unsightly i see no sign at present of any infection/fungus. If you can keep it that way he will heal up fine. You need to keep the water PRISTINE and also cut down on ANYTHING that might be a stressor to the fish which will hamper his immune system. As it is he seems to be doing a fine job of fighting off any nasties that come with an open wound like that.
#2. as mentioned above, fish will often pick on weak or sick tankmates...asking for trouble (see #1)
#3. If he is isolated you can treat appropriate with aquarium salt to further assist in healing. Melafix is useless IMHO. Salt cannot be added to the tank as you have a plec and RTBS which are both salt-sensitive. A small floating container as mentioned in previous post is a good idea. Do 2x daily waterchanges!
You asked for advice to help the fish. Take it or leave it. There is no reason to euthanize at this point but you have to do what is right for the fish right now so it doesnt escalate to that point. Honestly it could go either way with a wound like that, but right now he seems to be in the clear...just needs appropriate care to heal properly.
all the best
cheers

 

[Mr Melt]

just my 2 cents:
REGARDLESS of stocking he should be moved, at least temporarily, for a few reasons.
#1-while that injury looks unsightly i see no sign at present of any infection/fungus. If you can keep it that way he will heal up fine. You need to keep the water PRISTINE and also cut down on ANYTHING that might be a stressor to the fish which will hamper his immune system. As it is he seems to be doing a fine job of fighting off any nasties that come with an open wound like that.
#2. as mentioned above, fish will often pick on weak or sick tankmates...asking for trouble (see #1)
#3. If he is isolated you can treat appropriate with aquarium salt to further assist in healing. Melafix is useless IMHO. Salt cannot be added to the tank as you have a plec and RTBS which are both salt-sensitive. A small floating container as mentioned in previous post is a good idea. Do 2x daily waterchanges!
You asked for advice to help the fish. Take it or leave it. There is no reason to euthanize at this point but you have to do what is right for the fish right now so it doesnt escalate to that point. Honestly it could go either way with a wound like that, but right now he seems to be in the clear...just needs appropriate care to heal properly.
all the best
cheers

Thank you. The new filter inlet strainer arrived this morning, so at least that puts an end to the problem resurfacing!

Regarding the box; I have ordered a breeding box and am awaiting its arrival; juding by its size it should be more than enough to temporarily house the fighting fish until he recovers.

 

[sausagewinkle]

just my 2 cents:
REGARDLESS of stocking he should be moved, at least temporarily, for a few reasons.
#1-while that injury looks unsightly i see no sign at present of any infection/fungus. If you can keep it that way he will heal up fine. You need to keep the water PRISTINE and also cut down on ANYTHING that might be a stressor to the fish which will hamper his immune system. As it is he seems to be doing a fine job of fighting off any nasties that come with an open wound like that.
#2. as mentioned above, fish will often pick on weak or sick tankmates...asking for trouble (see #1)
#3. If he is isolated you can treat appropriate with aquarium salt to further assist in healing. Melafix is useless IMHO. Salt cannot be added to the tank as you have a plec and RTBS which are both salt-sensitive. A small floating container as mentioned in previous post is a good idea. Do 2x daily waterchanges!
You asked for advice to help the fish. Take it or leave it. There is no reason to euthanize at this point but you have to do what is right for the fish right now so it doesnt escalate to that point. Honestly it could go either way with a wound like that, but right now he seems to be in the clear...just needs appropriate care to heal properly.
all the best
cheers

Thank you. The new filter inlet strainer arrived this morning, so at least that puts an end to the problem resurfacing!

Regarding the box; I have ordered a breeding box and am awaiting its arrival; juding by its size it should be more than enough to temporarily house the fighting fish until he recovers.

Only problem with a breeding box in my opinion is that you cant be keeping the water 100% clean as the tank water will be in there due to the slots/holes etc in the breeding box

Im assuming its a floating breeding trap you are on about??

 

[Mr Melt]

just my 2 cents:
REGARDLESS of stocking he should be moved, at least temporarily, for a few reasons.
#1-while that injury looks unsightly i see no sign at present of any infection/fungus. If you can keep it that way he will heal up fine. You need to keep the water PRISTINE and also cut down on ANYTHING that might be a stressor to the fish which will hamper his immune system. As it is he seems to be doing a fine job of fighting off any nasties that come with an open wound like that.
#2. as mentioned above, fish will often pick on weak or sick tankmates...asking for trouble (see #1)
#3. If he is isolated you can treat appropriate with aquarium salt to further assist in healing. Melafix is useless IMHO. Salt cannot be added to the tank as you have a plec and RTBS which are both salt-sensitive. A small floating container as mentioned in previous post is a good idea. Do 2x daily waterchanges!
You asked for advice to help the fish. Take it or leave it. There is no reason to euthanize at this point but you have to do what is right for the fish right now so it doesnt escalate to that point. Honestly it could go either way with a wound like that, but right now he seems to be in the clear...just needs appropriate care to heal properly.
all the best
cheers

Thank you. The new filter inlet strainer arrived this morning, so at least that puts an end to the problem resurfacing!

Regarding the box; I have ordered a breeding box and am awaiting its arrival; juding by its size it should be more than enough to temporarily house the fighting fish until he recovers.

Only problem with a breeding box in my opinion is that you cant be keeping the water 100% clean as the tank water will be in there due to the slots/holes etc in the breeding box

Im assuming its a floating breeding trap you are on about??

Yes

 

[sausagewinkle]

In my opinion again, I would suggest a floating container. Solid container.
The water needs to be kept 100% clean to stop any chance of infection, and like loraxchick said daily waterchanges.
You still wouldn't be able to add the salt to the breeder as this would then go in your tank water...

 

[Mr Melt]

In my opinion again, I would suggest a floating container. Solid container.
The water needs to be kept 100% clean to stop any chance of infection, and like loraxchick said daily waterchanges.
You still wouldn't be able to add the salt to the breeder as this would then go in your tank water...

Right-o ; will a tupperware container do the trick?

 

[sausagewinkle]

In my opinion again, I would suggest a floating container. Solid container.
The water needs to be kept 100% clean to stop any chance of infection, and like loraxchick said daily waterchanges.
You still wouldn't be able to add the salt to the breeder as this would then go in your tank water...

Right-o ; will a tupperware container do the trick?

Aslong as its able to float in the tank with out sinking/tipping and there is enough room for the betta.
Even a ice cream tub.
I use 6L clear storage tubs from Wilkinsons (sorry don't know if your UK or not)