Fish With Chunks Missing Out Of Fins...but Who Is The Attacker?!

[DaisyMay]

Hi, I bought an established Fluval Edge recently, it's running perfectly and I've done a a water test once a week and it's been perfect. There are 12 neons, a betta, a guppy and two cuckoo catfish in it currently. Everyone seems to get okay and I never see any chasing or nipping, but a few days ago I noticed a big chunk missing out of the guppys tail, I assumed it was the betta and I was about to give the guppy to a friend, but today there is a chunk missing out of the betta too. Is it the guppy and betta going for each other or is there any possibility it's the catfish? I don't want to rehome the guppy and then find my betta is still getting beaten up? so question is, is there any real possibility it's the catfish doing the biting? I'm hoping once I've rehomed the guppy I'll have a peaceful tank, but not sure if it's the catfish I should be shipping out? I wasn't planning on keeping the catfish at all but they are such amusing little fellas, I actually really like them! Thanks for reading.

 

[fluttermoth]

An Edge is far too small for the catfish, they're going to have to go anyway, I'm afraid.

I expect it is the guppy and the betta going at each other; they will scrap, especially in a tank that size (I've got nothing against the Edge, btw; we have one) you're going to have to make a deciscion about which you want to keep

 

[electropunk06]

The tank is far to small for the catfish they need a much bigger tank.
Also the betta and guppy shouldn't be in the same tank.
A fluval edge is not suited to a betta because they breath air and strugle to do so in the edge.

i would re home the betta and catfish, and then buy some cherry shrimp.

hope this helps

 

[DaisyMay]

Yeah I thought the catfish would have to go, they're quite big already Aww such a shame, the person I bought the tank from was recommended the catfish by the shop! I'll have to find them a good home. I keep the water level low for the betta so he can get air where ever he wants, he seems really happy. I'll stick to what I was going to do originally then and just keep the neons and the betta. I was really pleased to find an established tank to buy but now I see why it isn't a good idea if the original owner wasn't so sensible with choosing fish! Thanks for your help.

 

[electropunk06]

That sounds like a good plan

good luck