What do you think happened to my betta (pics)?

Question

Recently my lovely betta has gone from this:

http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee321/green_day_gurrl/P1010422.jpg

To these:

http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee321/green_day_gurrl/P1010917.jpg

http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee321/green_day_gurrl/P1010920.jpg

http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee321/green_day_gurrl/P1010923.jpg

http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee321/green_day_gurrl/P1010925.jpg

in a matter of about two weeks. Details: He's in a community tank with seven other peaceful fish. I do weekly 10% water changes and there are no sharp edges in his tank (I checked.) However, it does have a filter and the return flow sometimes catches him off guard. I have heard this may be ripping his fins, or another option could be fin rot. Before I do anything with him, I want to know what it is. For the filter, I would get him and one friend a new tank without a filter. If it's fin rot, I'll treat it. What is this?

Answer 1

bettas like having their own territory just like dogs so if any fish is in its way of doing that it will fight it so probably the betta fought with one and he the fish could have caused damage you should move hom away from other fish

Answer 2

Yea it fin rotton disease. Betta dont really need a filter it just gonna stress it out by water movement from the filter. Just do weekly water change and you be fine. Try some fin rotton medication or add a almond leaf into the tank to help it out.  

Answer 3

They are very beautiful pictures and you did a great job.

I think you need a job.

(Just my input...I think they were swimming)

Answer 4

It's probably the harlequins.

Answer 5

The best answer I can come up with considering the rather peaceful fish he's with, it nipping his own tail.  Some bettas will do this if they're under stress, which can be caused by many things.  Bright lights, fright, boredom, mirror, etc.

Try to do away with as many of these factors as possible.  The tail will heal.  The 3rd site below is probably the best for this problem.

Answer 6

Good photos.  It looks more like something is nipping the fins.  Fin rot is usuall more even.  I'd suspect the little gold and black fish that look like some kind of tetra or barb.  The small quick fish often just can't resist nipping at those long flowing fins.

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Answer 7

the Rasbora heteromorpha's that you have in the tank shouldn't nip the fins of the betta.  in the first photo it looks like the end of one of the rips is fuzzy.  If that is the case, then it is fungal.  this is a common secondary infection after the fish has become damaged.

Continue your water change regiment and treat with either mela-fix or pima-fix.  Both will repair fin damage while fighting infection without harm to your other fish.  

You have to remove the carbon in your filter for any medication, so make sure you do a 25% water change before the meds and then again three days later.  By the end of 5-7 days of treatment, there should be vast improvement.

It very well could be the filter ripping the fins.  Securely rubber band a thin filter sponge to the intake tube's end and see if that doesn't help.  You will have to watch it for clogging.

Another idea would be to add some beautiful silk plants to the tank.  the more natural the better.  this will give the fish something soft to hide in.  If the rasboras are doing the damage, the plants may make them feel more secure and they'll stop, or at the very least your betta has some cover.  No neon is always preferable for the fish.  Bright colors reflect light and can cause fish stress.  It also will discourage them from natural hiding behaviors and cause them to act out of the norm.  Try replacing the bright objects in your tank with more natural ones and see if everyone behaves better.

Answer 8

From what I can tell, I don't see any fin-rot...he could be being picked on by the other fish in the tank, try separating him into his own tank and see if his tail heals. If it does heal, keep him to himself. I don't think you need a job, you love your buddy just like all of us on this bored, don't let some troll get to you.