Betta chasing tail

[Mike&Diana]

I began to wonder why my betta's tail appeared to be missing some chunks out of it and was shredded, and then I caught my betta in the act of chasing and biting his own tail! I mean, there's quite a bit missing right now. What can I do to prevent this? And why could he be doing this?

Diana

 

[Captain Canuck]

Have you considered something like this for your betta?

Seriously, I have seen my betta chase its tail when he had no tank mates, but I don't think he ever caught it. Maybe he needs some friends to play with? Corydoras seem to work well.

 

[tekknocolor]

Have you considered something like this for your betta?

Seriously, I have seen my betta chase its tail when he had no tank mates, but I don't think he ever caught it. Maybe he needs some friends to play with? Corydoras seem to work well.

I read it and just died laughing!

 

[Mike&Diana]

I don't know what to do! He's already got 2 ADF's in there that he tortures ..haha. But seriously....I think he's going to keep eating it until it's too short for him to reach. I came back from work today and a little bit more was torn off. I'm worried about fin rot and stuff...but he seems fine. There's no black tips or anything and I added some salt in the tank...so hopefully he will be fine. Is there any other suggestions on what I can do? (Besides put a little cone around his head so he can't reach his tail..that was pretty funny!) Any advice is appreciated!
This is pretty funny...only I would have a fish that actually catches his tail and bites it off!

Diana

 

[cutechic]

The only thing I can suggest for now is to keep on top of your water changes to ensure excellent water conditions. His tail may be prone to infection, so the water changes will help that and also help heal his tail faster. The aquarium salt you added should help as well. Other than that, I can't think of anything else you should do. How long have you had your betta, and has he only recently started chasing and nipping his tail?

 

[Mike&Diana]

I've had my betta for a month or so. And he was in the tank with 2 ADFs and I thought they were the cause of his fin shredding. So I put him in a bowl by himself and realized that he was the one biting his tail. He continued to do so in the bowl. He has created a massive bubble nest in his bowl so I don't know if he is getting extra defensive about that and maybe is trying to protect it but thinks his tail is another fish...I have no idea. But I konw that it has gotten worse since he has created his bubble nest! It's really kinda funny to watch him do it..I just feel bad for him and I don't want his fin to get infected!

 

[cutechic]

Is the bowl really reflective? Or do you have mirrors/ other reflective surfaces near the betta bowl? Is he scratching his tail on objects in the bowl? I'm wondering if he may be biting it because it is itchy. Have you examined his tail really carefully? No noticeable external parasites? I don't know what else to suggest. Sorry for all the questions- hope your little guy stops biting his tail soon

 

[tekknocolor]

I will admit, I don't really know much about bettas, but am learning as I keep them. I like researching topics a lot, just in case my bettas may have the same problems in the future though. This is what I have researched on your topic if you want to take a quick look below at the link. (It also includes tail biting in the other fish diseases that may occur.) I don't know if this is much help, but it's what I could find on your problem.

http/www.nabettas.com/illness.html

Hope this helps! If it does, please let me know!

- Leigh Ann