Living up to their nick name...

[ECH2005]

Ok, so I went to the LFS to look around and pick up some food. I saw something that I haven't seen anywhere around here, a non-viel tail betta! Plus it was a beautiful dark red/black and red, I couldn't pass it up! I know a fantail probably ain't that special compared to some of the other bettas out there, but I still fell in love. So I picked up a 2.5gal kit with the idea that I was going to house it with my other betta until the new tank settles. Now, don't jump to conclusions yet, I'm not THAT stupid! When I bought the first 2.5gal tank, it came with a divider for putting 2 bettas in it (the Betta Bowl kit or whatever). So I thought, hey this will work out great... Joe Kicka$$ will get someone to flare at for awhile til I move the new guy to his own tank. So I put in the divider and let the new guy out on the other side. They were dancing around the divider, puffed up and showing whos boss, but they couldnt get to eachother so I thought it would be fine to go start setting up the other tank. Not 5 minutes later, I come into my room AND THEY WERE BOTH ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE TANK! They weren't fighting when I came in, but still swimming around and flairing at eachother. Right away I netted the new guy and put him in a cup. I thought everything was fine until I noticed that the new guy had a few bites taken out of the middle of his tail! I was very unhappy indeed. I still don't know how he got on the other side, the only thing I can think of is that he somehow jumped, bounced off the cover, and squeezed himself into the other side.

Anyways, he now has a few small holes in his tail. Will these heal up? Should I get some Bettamax or something else for him? Also, I currently have him in his uncycled 2.5gal. Will this be fine for now if I do daily water changes?

sigh... impulse buys are always a bad idea... (I know this, and I don't need a lecture about it! )

 

[Sorrell]

I've had this happen too, bettas are brats He should be fine, I'd give him some salt and stresscoat. I personally wouldn't bettamax him if it's just a few rips, I think salt should do it. Just make sure you keep his water clean and he should heal up nicely

The tank he's in now should be fine as well, just keep up on your water changes and he'll do great

 

[ECH2005]

today I woke up and walked into my living room to check out how the new guy was doing after his little scuffle last night. He was under his rock, so with a little coaxing I got him out. Then I noticed his entire tailfin was shreaded!!! I did some research and it appears that he blew his tail. I then found out that earlier this morning, my mom was moving the 2.5gal tank back on the table AND DROPPED IT FROM ABOUT A FOOT ABOVE THE TABLE back onto the table, WITH THE BETTA IN IT! I'm sure this stress must have caused him to blow his tail. I don't see how the minor injuries that he got last night could have caused this...

 

[freshmike]

Argh. Poor guy. Best of luck with him.

 

[Sorrell]

I would still stick with salt and stresscoat, and cover his tank with a towel wile he recovers from this morning's events.

 

[_groove_]

I'm sure that with proper care from you, he will be fine! My guy seems to see his reflection or something crazy at night when the lights are all off and break a hole in the skin of his tail or anal fin, every couple weeks... I wake up in the morning to go see how he's doing and TADA! he'll have a freaking hole in it, but they always close up again. The fin seems to close in over itself or if its a really bad tear all the way to the edge of the fin, he's also grown a new ray! Keep the water clean and maybe a little bettafix or melafix (same stuff, different dosages) to help along, and or a pinch of salt! Best of luck

 

[ECH2005]

This salt you guys are talking about, I'm assuming its aquarium salt and not table salt what should I ask for/look for at the lfs, does it come in rather small containers?

Also, I'm treating with Stress Coat now, can I still feed him during the treatments or should I wait?

 

[trevo878]

Ive heard bettas are very good jumpers, this is probably how one got on the other side.

 

[ECH2005]

Yes but I had a hood over the tank, there was only a small gap between the top of the divider and the hood...

 

[fourplayfishy]

ive had a betta go threw a hole i didnt even think he could go threw within his tank also it does come in smaller containers i know because i have a 5.5gal 2 1gals and now a 10 gal (take ur time with my girlies cc) i have the 65oz one but there are smaller ones... (65 is the biggest)

 

[lizard]

This salt you guys are talking about, I'm assuming its aquarium salt and not table salt what should I ask for/look for at the lfs, does it come in rather small containers?

Also, I'm treating with Stress Coat now, can I still feed him during the treatments or should I wait?

Yikes! Your new Betta has had quite the few days Bettas are tough little guys though, so I'm sure that with some TLC from, he'll be back to normal in no time

Yep, aquarium salt. Some people say it's okay to use table salt and some say not to. I've never used table salt - only aquarium salt. The aquarium salt I have came in a container a little bigger than those little cartons of milk you can get at McDonald's or at school or places like that

You should be able to keep feeding him during his treatments

Oh, and if you want to cycle his tank faster, take some gravel or filter media from your other Betta's tank and put it in the new guy's tank

Keep us updated on your little guy

Pamela
aka Married Lizard