Is this a "blown" tail!?

This is the before and after of my pretty prince, this happened in less then an hour. Did he "blow" his tail?

i think so

How does a fish 'blow' its tail? I have heard of it, but i can't understand how.

P.T.

it only looks like hes unflaring to me

Yeah, that is what it looked like when one of mine blew his tail. Be very careful and watch closely for signs of infection or fin rot. Hope all goes well, he is a very nice looking fish.

PT- The best explanation I can give you is what I have gathered from research after my fish blew out. None of this is known fact ie. scientific studies, but all comes from respected experienced breeders: As breeders continue to enlarge bettas tail size, they seem to have a problem with the circulation to their tails. Although the tail is much larger the fishes circulatory system is the same size as a plakat for instance. In times of stress(like transport), water quality issues, and overactivity they "blow" their tails and sometimes other fins. Basically they shed or release all the excess webbing in between the branches of their tails.

There is some speculation that it can be caused by calcium deficincies in the water, and alot of breeders feel that it is genetic so they do not breed those fish. Some people feel that lowering pH is key to preventation and regrowth. And other suggest that the basic betta diet does not meet the nutritional needs of the oversized finnage.

Hope this helps, sorry so long.

whoa!!!!!!!!! cool but scary lol

I've heard of dogs blowing their coats, but a fish blowing it's fins?? Freaky...

all the blown tails my bettas have ever had did ot look like that. they were just one rip right down the middle. yours looks like the tail has been shredded. maybe my bettas are just wierd and only blow in a single rip though

lol its like a snake shedding its skin. wierd

Thanks for the responses, I have him on aquarium salt and melafix. Most important thing is he's swimming around and eating like normal, his spirits are high.

I had the same problem with my red veiltail. Just do daily water changes and add some aquarium salt and bio-coat. Mine grew right back.