Betta Fighting Really Bad :s

[mudvayne42]

i brought a male betta today really pretty guy and he just caught my eye and i had to get him i got him home and floated his bag in the tank as you are ment to and him and the female were flaring at each other really badly i just thought it was love at first sight or something and they wanted to breed and well when i let him out the bag he was fine for about five minutes and him and the female were at opposite ends off the tank and when i looked again they were ripping each other apart and i took him out straight away and he has a big chunk out of his gill and his fin has been riped in half but the female is fine and he has some little cuts on his body. so i am really woried what shall i do he is in a non heated tank 3 - 5 gallon at the moment. was this behaviour normal? what shall i do now? and would i be able to try them in the same tank again? sorry for the longish post i have tried to give as much info as possible please someone help me i really need it, thanks, james

 

[corey01]

well most people dont recommend keeping male and female bettas together..it can be done but it depends on the aggressive behavior of every betta. first of all you need to buy a heater because they are tropical, and as for the wounds they sound really nasty maybe give him a salt bath to prevent any fungus outbreaks... wiat for some experts to come along and give some med names. hope hes alright.

 

[mudvayne42]

well the shop i brought him from had him in a cup of water so i was a little wierd about that and i hav a heater but i have fry in the tank with the second heater in but i wil try and get a heater asap and thank you so much for your fast reply i supose i wil just have to hold on and wait for some of the people on here with expert knowlage thank you

 

[OohFeeshy]

For the time being, almost any container will do to keep him in, as long as it's at least 2/3 litres (about a gallon). A tupperware container, mixing bowl, storage container...

 

[Amerce]

Hate to say this but your male and female should not be kept together unless you plan on breeding them. If the shop told you that there would be no problem, take him back and ask for your money back, damage and all.

If you want to keep him you will need to sort out a diff. tank/container for him and both his and the females tank require heating (unless of course you are in a warm room and the temp in the tank gets to around 24c or above).

Treat your damaged male with a bit of salt and if you have it just a drop of Melafix or other antibacterial product, be warned do not add to much Melafix, just a drop will do as it can damage his gills.

If you are planning on breeding them then please, please read the pinned topics on this forum before you even think of putting them back together again, or this time you many not manage to say either fish, they can just as easily kill each other.

 

[mudvayne42]

ok thank you for all your fast replies but the only thing which confuses me is that i use to have a male and a female together in a community tank way back and they got on fine maybe just an agressive one this time i will get the male in a tank of his own as he is such a good looking lad to take back and i will try and nurse him back to good health thank you again

 

[-germ-]

ok thank you for all your fast replies but the only thing which confuses me is that i use to have a male and a female together in a community tank way back and they got on fine maybe just an agressive one this time i will get the male in a tank of his own as he is such a good looking lad to take back and i will try and nurse him back to good health thank you again

I'd be inclined to think that rather than this pair being particualrly aggressive, that your first pair were outstandingly (luckily) peaceful.
Tank size would have made a big difference as well.
Personally wouldn't suggest Salt as a treatment atm; tank cleanliness, a little melafix and minimal stress should be your priorities.
Salt is often considered a risk toward osmoregulatory difficulties for fish, particualrly when the fish in question has suffered reasonable physical injury.

 

[mudvayne42]

thankyou germ i have heard that salt baths should only be used if fungus appears to become present so i am keeping the water conditions as well as i can and he is making a fast recovery his big cut on his gill has started to heal up really well and he seems to be happy thanks again everyone you have all been a big help

 

[corey01]

good to hear hes improving