Betta tails

[rykitten]

I've only had my CT for about a month now. Recently, the ends of his tail are curling inward toward his body. It's only the very tips that are doing this.

I know I've seen a post about this but can't seem to find it.

I have him in a 2.5 gal divided tank, airstone (on for about 3 hours a day) and heated to 78 degrees. I do 2 water changes a week, about 50% each change.

 

[bkk_group]

everything i have read on fin curling has said water is the culprit. people say aging your water for a few days is good (we use this method). there are soo many posts on other forums dealing with fin-curling in CT's that it's a very common problem. about 2 months ago we noticed our crown-tail develop ray thinning and curling as well. he had been in a divided tank and had plenty of swimming room but didn't seem happy. to remedy this we actually put him into a much smaller 1/2 gallon tank (large vase actually) on his own with indian almond leaf and rigorous twice a week complete water changes (aged of course). his fins started getting better almost right away. in a matter of weeks his fins were back to normal and he seemed much more lively.

 

[rykitten]

Thanks Bkk!

Aged water simply means letting it sit for a few days? With or without an airstone?

Hopefully that will help. He does seem a bit unhappy when compared with the other. He hides behind his plant and doesn't come to the front when I'm near.

 

[bkk_group]

we age our water in a big plastic storage bin, no airstone. we do 100% water changes to all our juvenile jars every three days and our tanks get 100% water changes once a week. i have heard kind of conflicting info on CT fin curling so i can't say what will work every time just my personal experience. some people have said not changing water as often helps believe it or not. the most common assumption though is that it is caused by poor water quality. i don't know where you got your betta from but they say this happens quite often with fish that come from asia because the water is so different here compared to what they are used to back in asia. i suppose you could try bettafix as it's kind of like a vitamin supplement, could help...

 

[rykitten]

BBK, I got my CTs from a LFS here in CA. Don't know where they got 'em though.

I will try the bettafix and let you know if it helps.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[bittersweet]

use BETTAMAX..not BETTAFIX, as bettafix is just a diluted melafix and is not good for bettas, it had been known to kill them. bettamax is the one that is loaded with vitamins and helpful agents. just remember some people get the 2 mixed up and bettamax is the one to get, it comes in a capsule that you open and add to the tank.

 

[Bangin]

I read on a betta site that the 'curling' is actually normal, though it's not a desirable trait. This is the first time I've read it's caused by water conditions.

 

[rykitten]

Okay, so it seems there is no logical explanation for this phenomenon

And it would be safe to say he's not in any danger of becoming sick . . . so I probably don't need to be worried.

Thanks guys!

 

[Bangin]

If you do try to make some changes, please let us know how it goes.

 

[bkk_group]

use BETTAMAX..not BETTAFIX, as bettafix is just a diluted melafix and is not good for bettas, it had been known to kill them. bettamax is the one that is loaded with vitamins and helpful agents. just remember some people get the 2 mixed up and bettamax is the one to get, it comes in a capsule that you open and add to the tank.

yes of course, i meant to say bettamax, thanks bittersweet mental lapse there..