I've Got Another Tail Biter :(

[OldMan47]

Shrimp are indeed very sensitive to copper. It is the fastest way that I know of to kill most invertebrates.
I don't see where you said how big the tank is, but even a 5 gallon could hold a betta and a small number of pygmy cories to give him company and distract him from biting his tail.

 

[loraxchick]

Shrimp are indeed very sensitive to copper. It is the fastest way that I know of to kill most invertebrates.
I don't see where you said how big the tank is, but even a 5 gallon could hold a betta and a small number of pygmy cories to give him company and distract him from biting his tail.

even some snails may do the trick. not *as*sensitive to copper as shrimp, MUCH easier to fish out of the tank if you ever have to medicate (and honestly would be ok in just a floating container in that time) and are really interesting to watch. and depending on what type of algae you have, nerites will eat it.
i dont recall-have you tied using a mirror with him. dont just leave it there for 10 minutes, hook it up outside his tank permanently. helped my tailbiter.
cheers

 

[theshadowinc]

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?

Up the feedings a little more 3-5 blood worms 3-4 times a day is perfect especially for younger bettas, but something like
5 blood worms first feeding
Some Brine Shrimp second feeding
next feeding make it pellets 2-3 pellets
after that feeding do something else he likes even frozen foods

I would go smaller meals like stated above but feed more frequent, this should help out the hunger issue if there is a hunger issue

if you are only going to feed 2 times a day feed what they can eat in 3 mins (or until there belly is full (round)) this is important even when treating for the common parasite its also important with tail bitting. I see maybe its hunger that might be the problem here if this is all you are feeding them. But remember when you are feeding don't feed to the point of bloat! I would be trying this first before heading to the area of bordom, I doubt its anything to do with boardom at all to be honest

 

[ellena]

Thanks for more great advice guys
If I add fish or up feeding I'm going to have to do that gradually to avoid overloading the filter aren't I? I startedit off with some mature media from LFS, but not enough to fill the whole filter. Still, it's been 6 weeks, so it should be maturing nicely.
I had snails in with bettas before, but I gave them away as they just pooed and pooed and made a right mess
loraxchick, he can see his reflection in the tank sides and flares and tries to attack it regularly, so he sort of has a mirror all the time

 

[Knox213]

hows stress stripes

LOL

and what condition is he's tail in...

 

[ellena]

Thanks knox Stress stripes are better but still just visible. If I take the cover off for any length of time, they reappear. I've been playing with him with a little plastic fish, trying to get him to flare, but he's just scared of it-he expands his fins slightly but then races off.
His tail is short and raggedy Off to do a waterchange now, so I'll put the marbles in and see what he makes of them.

 

[Haych]

Thanks for more great advice guys
If I add fish or up feeding I'm going to have to do that gradually to avoid overloading the filter aren't I? I startedit off with some mature media from LFS, but not enough to fill the whole filter. Still, it's been 6 weeks, so it should be maturing nicely.
I had snails in with bettas before, but I gave them away as they just pooed and pooed and made a right mess
loraxchick, he can see his reflection in the tank sides and flares and tries to attack it regularly, so he sort of has a mirror all the time

you can buy mature media from LFS??

I didnt know that

how is he doing? Can we see a recent pic of the man of the hour?