I've Done The Swap :)

[ellena]

So I did a 50% water change in the 2 tanks today and swapped my 2 bettas an hour later. Fingers crossed it stops the tail biting as there's much more to watch in the kitchen, and stops the stress stripes as the bedroom is much quieter

 

[Haych]

fingers crossed for you ellena

 

[lilacamy931]

All fingers are crossed, really hope this works out for them both (behave boys do you hear me!)

 

[ellena]

Thanks guys. I don't think there's been any more tail chewing-I think I may have to keep a photo diary, it's so hard to tell. He took ages to settle in though, he was sulking at the bottom for a couple of days. Still came out for feeding though!
Peacock's stress stripes are still there, but maybe not as bad, it's hard to tell.

 

[Knox213]

come-on im missing these betta's

come post some pics for me

 

[Zenandra]

Ooo good luck! Fingers crossed that it works!

 

[ellena]

Just went to get some pics to check progress and he's started on the back of his anal fin now too

Slightly lost as to what to do now. Do I put him back in 'his' tank this weekend when I do a water change? I have a 10gall I could set up for him maybe...what a waste of all that lovely planting that would be [sigh]
What is wrong with him?

 

[Knox213]

is tihs one our good ol friend the Aslyum seeker?

Or is this one Stress Stripe?

 

[Haych]

what about a smaller tank for a while?

 

[ellena]

This one's Lotus, the tail biter. Peacock, the stress stripe is in Lotus' old tank and seems OK, but can still see the stripe.
The tank Lotus is in now is about 21l, with a good layer of sand, so maybe 19l water. He's acting like he's terrified, hiding away, pectoral fins going like the clappers. He's feeding fine though. The only smaller 'tank' I have is a 3 gall bowl I've just taken a betta out of as I couldn't find a suitable heater for it. My house is freezing, so that's a no go really.
I don't know whether moving him again this weekend would be too much stress and upheaval?
On the plus side, Rufus, my red veiltail from work, is well happy in his new 5 gall with some shrimp and is bubble nesting like a good 'un

 

[Knox213]

Leave em be for now Our little friend Peacock Will Eventully get better

I Cant wait for my Betta tank ( getting one for free )

 

[Haych]

Hi Ellena,

try reducing the water a bit, go low as poss or something.

I know it isnt recommended, but I saw a breeder (shadowinc i think) say smaller homes whilst they bite as it could be stress

 

[theshadowinc]

This one's Lotus, the tail biter. Peacock, the stress stripe is in Lotus' old tank and seems OK, but can still see the stripe.
The tank Lotus is in now is about 21l, with a good layer of sand, so maybe 19l water. He's acting like he's terrified, hiding away, pectoral fins going like the clappers. He's feeding fine though. The only smaller 'tank' I have is a 3 gall bowl I've just taken a betta out of as I couldn't find a suitable heater for it. My house is freezing, so that's a no go really.
I don't know whether moving him again this weekend would be too much stress and upheaval?
On the plus side, Rufus, my red veiltail from work, is well happy in his new 5 gall with some shrimp and is bubble nesting like a good 'un

Did you up feedings?
I would give it awhile before doing anything else.
What I would do later on if still tail bitting is downgrade the size of tank and medicate with melafix to healt he fins
Going to a smaller tank is probably the answer to your madness not all bettas will be happy in 5gals its actually honestly to much space
what specimen is this a splenden or a Imbellis because you talk about stress stripes? Vailtail or halfmoon?

You have a 3gal bowl, does it fit into your 5 gallon tank? Because you fill the 5 gallon with water and heat that water place the bowl in the water filled of course and that is how you would heat that water in the bowl till you are able to find a heater.

 

[Amberleaf]

What I did, since my sister's room was so cold, upgrade the watts of the heater dramatically -- well, not dramatically; by like 25 watts or something, but you get the idea. In colder rooms/houses, 'normal' heaters don't work very well -- you're gonna have to upgrade it, otherwise it's not gonna work. Or at least from my experience. XD

 

[Honeythorn]

not all bettas will be happy in 5gals its actually honestly to much space

If the tank is well planted enough ( I mean a jungle ) any betta can be happy in 5-10 gals +

Also, he hasn't exactly been in the tank very long and has not had a sufficient time to become adjusted to his new home.

If he's always been a tail biter then he may well indeed always be one. Some animals/birds/fish ect ect can become so deeply ingrained in a habit , they often cannot be drawn out of it.


Switching him in and out of tanks to see which one he likes best and only leaving him a day or two in each, is only going to stress him even more and further his self chewing.


Leave him in the tank he's in now, make sure it's very well planted and his water heated and filtered ( what sort of filter do you have? If it's a cannister it may be upsetting him, in which case switch to a sponge filter as they produce little to no current )


A quarter dose of melafix ( not a full dose for bettas ) or if you prefer a less artificial chemical, IAL leaf or the resultant water/extract you can make from them, should help avoid infection of his chewed fins .