Betta Fins Torn or Natural Shape?

[Oscar Betta]

Hey Guys,

I got a new betta a few days ago and I'm curious if his fins are a bit torn or if it's just their natural shape? Here's some photos:

FYI, he's in a Fluval Spec V. I plan to order one of these to cover the filter intake as I've heard their fins can get ripped by it: Intake Cover I'm also going to put a Fluval pre-filter sponge on the output spout to reduce the flow, as he's been getting pushed around quite a bit.

Thanks.

 

[MaloK]

There's a little rip in the anal fin and a split in the tail, but it's nearly impossible to avoid.

He looks great and your water seems very clean

I love the way the water intake serve as skimmer at the same time in the spec series. Intake cover is not required at all for a betta, the flow is slow enough to be safe there.

The dangerous place is the little gap "hole" that is lower under the intake, it's about 3 inches from the bottom...

It's to prevent drainage of the filter compartment in case the water level comes too low. It create a strong siphon when the media becomes clogged and critter got stuck there...

So I blocked it completely and make sure the water level doesn't drop under the intake as part of regular maintenance.

 

[Oscar Betta]

There's a little rip in the anal fin and a split in the tail, but it's nearly impossible to avoid.

He looks great and your water seems very clean

I love the way the water intake serve as skimmer at the same time in the spec series. Intake cover is not required at all for a betta, the flow is slow enough to be safe there.

The dangerous place is the little gap "hole" that is lower under the intake, it's about 3 inches from the bottom...

It's to prevent drainage of the filter compartment in case the water level comes too low. It create a strong siphon when the media becomes clogged and critter got stuck there...

So I blocked it completely and make sure the water level doesn't drop under the intake as part of regular maintenance.

Thank you! That's good to know since he really likes to rest up against the intake.

I just added the pre-filter sponge over the output using this method: https://spec-tanks.com/fluval-edge-pre-filter-mod-for-spec-aquariums/ He's no longer being blown around at all which is great since he's very active, but I'm a little worried it reduced the flow rate too much...article says not to worry about that but I may turn the filter up to the higher setting now. Top of the water is just moving a little bit.

 

[MaloK]

Yes these Tanks are a little overkill for bettas... But I love "the once in a year" cleanup schedule. It's sad, but it will take a lot of time to clog.

I cut the original medium sponge to make a pre-filter with it and insert an Aquaclear 70 sponge under, they fit like a glove.

That's how it looks after more that a year without touching it.

The best way to reduce the flow is by "populating" the filter compartment instead of trying to strangle the output.

since he does like to rest up against the intake.

They are so lazy, they stick themselves to it, so they can rest without any effort. Mine would do that, head pointing down.

It's also the best place for them to poop It helps keeping the tank clean, loll.

 

[Oscar Betta]

Yes these Tanks are a little overkill for bettas... But I love "the once in a year" cleanup schedule. It's sad, but it will take a lot of time to clog.

I cut the original medium sponge to make a pre-filter with it and insert an Aquaclear 70 sponge under, they fit like a glove.

That's how it looks after more that a year without touching it.

View attachment 361320

The best way to reduce the flow is by "populating" the filter compartment instead of trying to strangle the output.



They are so lazy, they stick themselves to it, so they can rest without any effort. Mine would do that, head pointing down.

It's also the best place for them to poop It helps keeping the tank clean, loll.

Oh nice! At least it seems we can do a lot of modifications with them.

I'll keep a close eye on the water quality with my current sponge cover on the output...may pivot to another solution if it starts looking bad. There is a film at the top now, but I know that showed up yesterday before I made the change.

I'm going to put a floating betta log in and see if he prefers to rest there.

 

[MaloK]

That's something I never understood. Every single time I started a betta tank from scratch.

After a while there always that period where the tank starts to have that oily slick... I always thought it comes from betta food. But after a while at removing it with paper towels it doesn't come back...

I don't let it accumulate too much, it's not good for gases exchanges and the labyrinth of the betta.