My betta's tail fin is torn. Any ideas as to why? Stress, sickness, etc.?

Question

My betta has been a bit lethargic. His water has suddenly gotten dirtier a lot quicker (like the next day). I monitor the water and make changes accordingly. I got a new tank and put my fish in on Saturday. Now his tail fin is shredded. I checked everything before I put it in the tank to make sure it didn't have any sharpies to rip the fin, etc. Any ideas?

Answer 1

If it only took two days, the chances of it being fin rot are pretty low.  Are there any sharp decorations in the new tank that could tear its fins?  Plastic plants? Jagged rocks? Pointed decorations?  These can all quickly shred a Betta's fins.  However, if you see white edges on the fins, it's possible the stress from the move allowed a bacterial infection to set in, leading to fin rot.  If it is a decoration, simply remove it and replace it with something softer (silk plants, smoother rocks, sanded driftwood).  If it is fin rot, start with a water change, remove any activated carbon from the filter, and begin treating wtih Maracyn 2, Trisulfa, Triple Sulfa, Maracyn TC, TC Capsules, Kanaplex, or similar medications.  If using tetracycline or minocycline based medications, treat the tank in darkness, as these drugs degrade with exposure to light.

Fin rot: http://208.112.95.51/CypriniiformPIX/Gol...

Answer 2

Fin rot is caused by dirty water, it makes the finls look shredded and black at the tips. Looking at your situation, that is most likely what happened to your fish. Don't worry, very treatable. They have medicine for it at the pet store. There is no home remedy for fin rot that I know of. But there are lots of meds for it.

Answer 3

Are there any fish in the tank with him? They may have nipped at his tail

Is the their a filter? If the filter is strong its fins may get caught in the tube that sucks in water

He may have tail rot, and antibiotics may be needed, for more information on tail rot try google, there will plenty of sites with useful information

Answer 4

fin rot more then likely. they have medicines at pet stores for it.