I've Got Another Tail Biter :(

[ellena]

Since I got Lotus, he's had a few missing bits from his tail. I thought it might be the filter inlet so I covered that with tights a couple of weeks ago. Tonight though, he has chewed it, just like Levi did-it looks a right mess
Tank has nothing that would rip it, only thing I think could be stressing him is the reflections. He can see himself in the glass and flares a bit. I've had him over 5 weeks now, do you think he should have got used to it? There's loads of plants too so he can't see all the time.
I've solved Peacock's stress stripes by putting a bag over the tank. So nmaybe it was my cat stressing him? Don't know what to do long term though, maybe some sort of cloth cover that looks nice?

 

[Haych]

surely if you do that though, you wont be able to see him and it would be a waste?

 

[loraxchick]

what tail type is he? doubtful its his reflection stressing him to bite. ive found hanging a permanent mirror actually HELPS tailbiters. something else would be to blame IMO. need to find a way to stimulate him more and make him "foget" about his tail. any recent rescape or new stuff in the tank?
cheers

 

[ellena]

No, tank setup 5 weeks ago and apart from trimming dead bits off the plants, nothing has changed since then. He's halfmoon.
I know haych, but I'd rather see him looking healthy and happy just when I feed him/do a water change than look at him so unhappy all the time. I hadn't realised how much his colours had faded

 

[betta fish]

I have a halfmoon who tail bites on and off it's a pain and a habit that they don't seem to forget, not much you can do apart from changing scenery around a bit and keeping the water extra clean, hopefully he will stop and let it grow though there is no telling when the mood may strike again, I found mine went into his coco cave when he shredded as they need to be able to curl right round to reach it so I removed it. Watch him and see if he uses anything to help him reach and remove it, more plants may make things worse as he can use them to help.

 

[lycaena]

what helped with my fish that was doing that, was ghost shrimp. he chased em around and bit them, theyre pretty fast so they got away, eventually he'd kill them, but still. It worked. Also snails are entertaining for him, also added new plants and moved them around each week to give him some distraction. he is doing great now. try that maybe itll help

 

[Haych]

what helped with my fish that was doing that, was ghost shrimp. he chased em around and bit them, theyre pretty fast so they got away, eventually he'd kill them, but still. It worked.

youre saying a life for a life?? bit cruel really...

 

[Lacuna]

I think my betta is biting his tail as well. I thought he had torn it on indian almond leaves, so I took them out. But since then I've seen him chase his tail, and a couple of times he's gone to bite it. I am worried he is doing it because he is bored, as he has also started to sometimes chase the corys which I don't like.

This might be a stupid question, but does it hurt fish when their tails get torn or ripped? Or is it like human hair and they don't feel anything?

 

[theshadowinc]

Okay 1 thing for sure and I know for sure tail bitting is a sign that something is wrong eiather with the betta or its surroundings......

Try this link out and tell me how you make out, do massive water changes, I would recommend jaring it in a 1gallon container till this issue is resolved(Makes for easy water changes and medicating). A betta should never be a tail biter at all! Up the feedings its getting in a day maybe 3 times a day or 4-5 keep his stomach full but not to the point of bloat!

http/www.healthybetta.com/a-bettas-nervous-habit-tail-biting
Try this link to help figure out why its happening

 

[aly_starh]

The chances of infection are high on torn fins.

Try making him flare with a mirror for about 10-15 minutes a day, that should relieve his boredom

 

[ellena]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone
The only thing that has changed since I got him 5 weeks ago is this was the first week I went a full week without a water change. So when I did do it, I was in there a bit longer sorting out dead plants etc.
He does lots of flaring with his reflection.
I'm doing water changes every other day to help with healing (and an algae problem I'm having in that tank) and I'm going to place different coourful things outside the tank for him each day.
This is his tank, which you'd think would be about perfect for a betta

Thanks for the article theshadowinc From that list, it might be boredom or hunger. I'm going to feed him more bloodworm this week to help with healing too, so maybe that will help.
Going to concentrate on preventing infection as a priority.

 

[OldMan47]

You might try adding some tank mates. Betta splendens is not the solitary fish that so many people would have you believe. I never keep mine alone and never have any problem with tail biting. My bettas enjoy the company of other peaceful fish and just seem to live long happy lives.

 

[theshadowinc]

been 5 days so far how is it working out did you find out the reason why this is going on

 

[ellena]

No It's hard to tell, but I think he's still biting. I've fed him 2 bloodworms a day. I've tried placing different colourful things outside the tank and have tracked down some mirrored marbles to add today. I'm changing 50% of the water every other day. The algae problem in the tank is still raging.
Oldman47 I don't want to add anything else atm, although I was thinking some shrimp might help with the algae. They're such a faff with the whole 'no copper' thing when it comes to medicating thoguh aren't they?

 

[Knox213]

great betta set up..