Torn Fins - Self-nipping Or What?

[Rediahs]

Well, let me clarify... I don't understand why HE bites his fins and the others don't.

I just got two boys, Agrias (the subject of this thread) and Pearl a few weeks ago from Thai breeders, so they spent awhile traveling. First they were at my parents' place in translucent-white 5g tubs, with no decor. Then I got clear plastic 3.5g critter keepers for them, and filled them up with plants and substrate. They were at my parents place during all of this. Then, last weekend, I moved them to my place and set them up in the same critter keepers - the water is probably quite different, it's a different area.

So they've been at my place for a week now. This guy had NO signs of fin damage prior to this. He must've been well taken care of. But now.. he's chewing them to bits

But Pearl, and my old veiltail Sweetie, who went through the same moves as Agrias, aren't biting their fins or anything.


It also confuses me that ever since Agrias started biting his fins, he's been blowing GIGANTIC bubble nests.

 

[Liam]

I am just guessing, I don’t have a huge amount of experience of bettas. Maybe he is wanting to breed and is having a hormone surge that is causing him to feel aggressive and territorial. The only thing he can see to take his aggression out on is his fins. If that’s the case letting him flare and see another of your bettas or have a look at himself in a mirror might help him to let off steam. Well maybe.
Hope he stops soon and gets better.

 

[Loko17]

Highly unlikely that its hormone bursts, never heard of that in bettas. Its very odd that he's got all of that stimulation and is still biting his fins to bits. Hope he gets better. Oh and i know its a little off topic but I was flaring my Double tail yesterday and he made a tear in his dorsal fin and guess what, It'll probably be grown back by tomorrow morning. Probably because of the salt. Good luck fixing the tail biting problem.

 

[Rediahs]

His tail is looking a bit better, the split has partially healed, but it is still extremely ragged.

His dorsal and anal have no damage.

 

[Loko17]

Do you flare him regularly? Maybe once he heals up a little more you could start to flare him with a mirror for 10 minutes a day and maybe that would make him stop biting? I dont know. Good luck

 

[Rediahs]

I tend to let the fish see each other about once a day, and that gets them flaring better than any mirror.

I've been doing it a bit more lately because it's easier to see any tears in his fins while he's flaring. They kinda bunch together when he's not.

 

[Loko17]

You could also sunbath him once a day, like move his tank in front of a window that has lots of light and flare him, that would keep his fins healthy. Probably wouldnt fix his nipping problem though.

 

[Rediahs]

Hmm, I don't think that's very practical for me...

and this has nothing to do with the topic, but lol, Loki, your signature (5.5 gallon part) makes it seem like you have a killifish that is "soon-to-be female"