Replacing Fake Plants

[wigdean]

Currently have a betta in my tank, living alone. It used to be housed with a platy but as the weeks went by the betta started to pick on it more and more, usually around feeding time, which is to be expected I suppose. The other day I decided to remove the platy and put it in my other tank. I watched them for a while to see if it was still happening and to my surprise the platy was actually nipping the fins of the betta.

Anyway the platy was removed. However I've just noticed that my bettas tail fin has been torn again. Only explanation I can find is the fake plants currently in the tank. My betta often brushes past them so I presume it's getting caught.

If I was to replace the plants for different ones that aren't likely to cause my betta harm, would I notice any effects when I do my weekly water tests? Is it going to cause a big change?

And is there anything I can do to aid the growth of the fins? Or stop any side effects of tearing fins?

 

[bymauldin]

What kind of fake plants are you using ? If you don't want to have to worry with live plants you can always try SILK fake plants. They are supposed to be a lot easier on your fishies fins...not made out of cheap, hard plastic. Of course, I don't see that real plants would even make any kind of noticeable change. The only extra maintenance I would foresee is maybe occasionally having to prune your plants.

 

[chibi]

He could be stressed and chewing on his own tail. Bettas do that a lot. bymauldin has a good idea with silk plants. Real plants are always better though. They aren't that much of a hassle and they keep the water full of oxygen.

 

[celaeno]

try api melafix to help the fins grow back.

 

[Jozlyn]

Live plants are good, most fish like to have a nibble on them now and again, and they look nicer. Then only thing with live plants is that you have to have good adequate lighting. My Betta's tank doesn't have a light and although it "looks" like plenty of day light is getting in there it isn't! I can't even keep elodea alive in his tank! So my poor little guy has fake plants until I can find some sort of light to go over his tank that wont cost me the earth!

Also, there's some natural products that you can get to help Betta's, but I can't for the life of me think what the name of it is. It's an extract from a plant that's found in their natural environment. The people in the Betta forum would be able to help you out.

 

[wigdean]

Thanks for your help. There is a mixture of real/fake plants in the tank, but the lighting is poor and the plants don't tend to last very long. Will have a look at the silk ones available. The ones I currently have aren't plastic but they do have edges on them that look like they could be sharp. My betta is always brushing past them like I say.

I'm in the same room as the tank for large periods of the day and I haven't seen any signs of him being stressed. Quite the opposite really. Will keep an eye out though.

 

[blabadie]

how big is the tank? It shouldn't cost you more than 30 dollars to buy adequate lighting. Here, catfish lighting off of ebay is great (it's what I've been using), EBAY
you should be able to find something reasonable depending on the size of your tank. Also, buying plants like Anubias, java ferns, etc. would make your tank look awesome and not be abusive to your fish. Fins also tend to grow back by themselves. It just takes time. I guess it's like a cut on your body, just wait and it will heal.

Brandon