Shredded Fin On Betta

[BettaBoysGirl]

Hey All, Im looking for ideas on how my betta, who is the only creature in his tank, end up with a shredded, and severely torn dorsal fin. His others are just fine. I have him in a 4 gallon BiOrb tank. So no suction, merely an undergravel filter, and bubbler (have a gang valve on the bubbler to tone it way down). Ive had him for 6 weeks in this tank. I tested his water yesterday as part of my 3 day routine. Everything was normal. As was today. I use the liquid test kits. This is his tank. It has two plastic plants, no sharp edges, and one live plant (the tiny one). The piece of ceramic wood, is not standing up in the front picture, but turned and laid over the middle pipe (the bubbler). I dosed him with melafix to help the fin... anything else i can do? Any suggetions on how his fin got shredded? His other fins are just fine and this just happened sometime in the past 8 hours. I feel sorry for poor mr grumpy gills. and Want to make it all better. I cleaned his tank and only found pieces of his fin in the filter. Not stuck any other place. (Yes i tore it down in hopes of finding hte cause.) The Picture of him is before he shredded his fin.

 

[WILDER]

Are there any signs of infections, white, pink, or red eding to fins.


Are you sure he hasn't ripped his fin off on something in the tank.
Also betta have been know to chew there own fins.
You will get more help over in the betta section. Just to make sure he's not chewing his fin.


Can you post full water stats please.

 

[BettaBoysGirl]

Are there any signs of infections, white, pink, or red eding to fins.


Are you sure he hasn't ripped his fin off on something in the tank.
Also betta have been know to chew there own fins.
You will get more help over in the betta section. Just to make sure he's not chewing his fin.


Can you post full water stats please.

Well there is pink edging on the ends where its been torn. He is a red betta though. But I don't think it was possible for him to get a hold of his dorsal fin (back fin). Ill treat him for fin rot with melafix and change his water

 

[WILDER]

Pink edging to fins can be finrot.

Melafix is only good once the fins are healing.
You need another bacterial med.
What's your location?

 

[BettaBoysGirl]

Pink edging to fins can be finrot.

Melafix is only good once the fins are healing.
You need another bacterial med.
What's your location?

I live in the US. I know where to get good meds where i live. Believe me i scoped them out. I have no clue what it is. Im treating as if its fin rot. Anyone I was hesitated to dose him with the Melafix, but figure it was natural and better then real meds, till i was sure of The problem. I dont think its the piece of wood, mainly because i filed down all the sharp edges and it passed the panty hose test, and its been in there 6 weeks with no problem. its not sitting up like int he pic, it actually lays flat, the bubble tube going through its hole. Today... More damage... a hole in his tail and membrane missing between the rays, unlike his Dorsal fin which is missing rays. I still am amazed that that much damage can be done in 8 hours, and then again 24 hours. Considering the tank isnt cycled (sorry didnt know anything of it when i first got him), I do monitor the water very closely, but did a 90% water change and dosed him with melafix. The only other thing i can think of, as i found no fin pieces except in the UGF filter, That maybe hes doing this to him self? For 3 weeks, I had him sitting next to another Betta Tank, and both of them throughly enjoyed themselves. I only seperated them so I could use the space to filter their future home. My Betta condo. It has dividers. Maybe hes bored or taking it out on himself. Just to see if that maybe it, I moved my female's (Nixie's) tank to sit next to him. He flares at her, and she flares right back. (yes im sure shes female. shes displaying breeding bars and has that white spot on her belly, the ovipositor i think.) So Im hoping either one of these will work for him. Heres some pics if you have any other ideas. And Yes i do use salt. Have been using it since day one of getting him. I put in 1/2 tsp per gallon. Water Stats are ammonia: 0 nitrite:0 Nitrate:0 ph 8.0. This was before and after the Water Change. The pink edge is now gone. Just his normal Red.

 

[WILDER]

Does he look thin to you.
What does it look like when he goes to the toilet.

Bad water quality can be the main cause of finrot.
Is he eating well.

 

[BettaBoysGirl]

Does he look thin to you.
What does it look like when he goes to the toilet.

Bad water quality can be the main cause of finrot.
Is he eating well.

Hes eating just fine. Doesnt look thin at all. and his poo looks totally normal. Nothing odd there.

 

[WILDER]

Ok, that fine.
Just wanted to check something out.

Have you posted your thread in the betta section of the forum.

 

[Nyu]

Uhm, it could've been caused by the plastic plants? I have a thread asking for info in the betta section and I asked about what type of plants I should get for him and this is a quote from LilyRose Tank: lots of real and/or silk plants..not plastic as they tear fins.

Hope this helps ^^

Edit: Oop, sorry this is a little late in reply aswell.