Fins And Regrowth

[pablothebetta]

Some of you may remember this thread from a while back. I've just been wondering, has anyone got any more ideas what the cause may be?

Even if you haven't, have you any advice as to how I might be able to help his fins grow back?

Thanks

 

[thereverendturtle]

I remember an article several years ago stating that, the addition of vitamin B12 (I think it was twelve) just to the water helped heal fins and skin damage in fish up to 50% faster than fish that weren't treated.

 

[pablothebetta]

Sounds interesting, any idea how it was added and/or if it's safe for inverts/corys?

 

[OldMan47]

Fins will regrow on their own if you remove the cause of the damage and keep your water conditions pristine.
I know that sounds way too simple but it is true.

 

[pablothebetta]

Water quality has always been reasonably fine, though nitrates are pretty much always present as I've a fair amount in my water supply. His fins seem to have just continued to deteriorate since I got him

 

[OldMan47]

If fins are deteriorating, you need to find the cause. They do not deteriorate on their own.

 

[pablothebetta]

Exactly, I just don't understand why it's happening. Water qualities generally fine and doubt the corys are bothered about nipping. Doesn't appear to be any outlines of fin rot or anything either. Could he be doing this to himself? I've never seen him fin-nipping or anything though. His front fins have also deteriorated (sp) some what. I don't understand...

 

[OldMan47]

There is such a thing as a betta that chases his own tail and causes himself damage. I hope you can eliminate that as a cause from your own observation though. Cories will never be the cause of fin damage, I am morally certain of that. Some other factors to look at include things like a plant that is not soft enough when he decides to lay on one all day long between feedings.
I always force my bettas to get a decent workout by placing them in large tanks with other fish. I cannot easily look at situations where bettas are lazy good for nothings because mine are never given that option. If mine showed any tendency to lay around all day, they got over it very quickly in my tanks, since they live in very active communities and I refuse to do anything special to accommodate them. They are robust fish that live to a ripe old age of well over 5 years in my tanks. Anything less, in terms of activity levels, is simply not tolerated.

 

[pablothebetta]

There is such a thing as a betta that chases his own tail and causes himself damage. I hope you can eliminate that as a cause from your own observation though. Cories will never be the cause of fin damage, I am morally certain of that. Some other factors to look at include things like a plant that is not soft enough when he decides to lay on one all day long between feedings.

I do think I've eliminated the tail-chasing - I've never noticed the behaviour before and I doubt he could have reached his front two fins have also deteriorated. His tank is full of live plants such as echinodoras, 'moss' balls, anubias and hygrophila polysperma - I don't think any of those have harsh edges.

I always force my bettas to get a decent workout by placing them in large tanks with other fish. I cannot easily look at situations where bettas are lazy good for nothings because mine are never given that option. If mine showed any tendency to lay around all day, they got over it very quickly in my tanks, since they live in very active communities and I refuse to do anything special to accommodate them. They are robust fish that live to a ripe old age of well over 5 years in my tanks. Anything less, in terms of activity levels, is simply not tolerated.

His tank is 28L/7.4US gallons and I must say, he isn't all that active. He does seem to like to lay around a fair bit. Then again, I suppose he doesn't get lots of active livebearers (sure I read something about this somewhere once) and such a large amount of space like yours do.

 

[thereverendturtle]

Sorry, I looked for the article, but couldn't find it. Wish I had more info for you.

 

[pablothebetta]

Sorry, I looked for the article, but couldn't find it. Wish I had more info for you.

No worries, thankyou for trying anyway