Black at end of bettas tail fin

[Caleb83837]

7 gallon tank, heated and filtered, low flow. Heavily planted. No tank mates except for 2 nerites and a handful of cherry shrimp. Ph:7.2. Ammonia and nitrates are 0.
Almond leaves and alder cones in the tank to add tanins.

The end of my bettas tail fin is turning black. My betta is approximately 4 years old. Is this normal as they age? I know this can be a sign of fin-rot but my water parameters are good, and there is no fin degredation. I did a 40% water change about 5 days ago with no improvement, but the black did not spread any further either
Insight would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[UnknownFishies]

shrimp might’ve nipped at betta causing fin roy

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

shrimp might’ve nipped at betta causing fin roy

This is exceedingly unlikely with cherry shrimp.

It does look like fin rot to me I'm afraid, but I'm no expert. @EllRog is good with bettas, and @Colin_T with diseases.

While fin rot is often connected to poor water quality, I don't believe it's always caused by poor water quality, if that helps. Currently dealing with fin rot in some male guppies of mine, and same as you, my water quality is excellent and the tank is always well maintained, and there's a decent amount of tannins in the water from Indian almond leaves and alder cones. Large tails are more susceptible to microtears though, even flaring his large fins might lead to some microtears, and from there, any number of different bacteria can take hold. An older fish is likely to have a less robust immune system able to fight off minor infections.

 

[Colin_T]

It could be chemical burns if you add anything to the tank or don't dechlorinate tap water before adding it to the tank.

 

[UnknownFishies]

This is exceedingly unlikely with cherry shrimp.

It does look like fin rot to me I'm afraid, but I'm no expert. @EllRog is good with bettas, and @Colin_T with diseases.

While fin rot is often connected to poor water quality, I don't believe it's always caused by poor water quality, if that helps. Currently dealing with fin rot in some male guppies of mine, and same as you, my water quality is excellent and the tank is always well maintained, and there's a decent amount of tannins in the water from Indian almond leaves and alder cones. Large tails are more susceptible to microtears though, even flaring his large fins might lead to some microtears, and from there, any number of different bacteria can take hold. An older fish is likely to have a less robust immune system able to fight off minor infections.

my bad, honestly thought it was the shrimp based on what i read about them?

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

my bad, honestly thought it was the shrimp based on what i read about them?

Where have you read that red cherry shrimp are aggressive? They're super peaceful tankmates!

 

[UnknownFishies]

Where have you read that red cherry shrimp are aggressive? They're super peaceful tankmates!

some website that was tankmates for bettas. it said cherry shrimp can nip at the ends of betta tails
I’m sorry ?

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

some website that was tankmates for bettas. it said cherry shrimp can nip at the ends of betta tails
I’m sorry ?

No need to be sorry! Not trying to tell you off, lol. Just curious! There are some dodgy sources out there for sure, about all sorts of species.

 

[EllRog]

Does look like burns to me. Fin rot almost tends to be a lining the tail and receding it, that almost looks like the tail was wedged into the heater. Keep the water clean and monitor. Daily 75% waterchanges should heal it up. If it gets worse @Colin_T has a very good paragraph that he's written on treating wounds on fish. He often shares it around the forum