injured fins

[Kittycat]

I got these two recently, sold as HMs (but they're obviously not 180 degrees, so I'd call them deltas). They both have injured fins. Both have a chunk taken out of their anal fins, and the boy also has what looks like a deep scratch on his tail. Have you guys dealt with similar injuries before? Do you think the fins will grow back to normal length and the scratch fade, or will they likely remain this way? What can I do to encourage healing?

 

[Carolinesugar]

hiya, i think from my experience with how their fins regrow, it will be a case of a good healthy varied diet, abit of love and attention, clean water, and mayb even a drop of melafix every day for a week, will help keep infection out, and help regrowth begin.

i brought a betta who had no fins at all a while ago, and hes now got fins the length of plaket. so it does work!

im guessing that the scratch looking mark on the males tail, is where hes hurt himself, but its already almost completely healed. as with the girl, if you brought her from ur lfs where they keep all their girls in one tank, its prob just a few bitchy nipps, which will heal up in no time at all.

hope this helps you.

==========

Caroline
xx

 

[D Chia]

"The fins of the betta are only a few cells thick, so tears in the fins from activity can be likened to the fraying of the edges of a flag flapping in the wind." - Walt Maurus (author of Bettas: A Complete Introduction)

As suggested earlier by Caroline, do give them lots of

and treat with MelaFix®. How fast and how well the fin tissue will regenerate depends on the extend of the fin damage.

It is also important to keep the water clean when a fish is injured or has torn fins because of the potential for infection. Adding aquarium salt would help.

Edited: Link to MelaFix®.

 

[Kittycat]

Thanks, I feel so much better. I've been going crazy looking for that evasive Melafix, they don't seem to sell them here in the Philippines, but fortunatley my sister who's on a trip in Hong Kong found some, so I told her to buy me loads! Hehe