What should I do with my betta?

Question

Here recently I have noticed my poor betta's tail has become extremely shredded. Over the past week and a half, his tail has become almost like a fork - There is a rip that starts halfway down his tail and goes all the way out. I'm not so sure it's tail-biting, it's not the traditional form. I want this to end, I don't want this to happen to him. I've checked all of the ornaments in the tank, and they're all rounded down, no sharp edges. I have four harlequin rasboras and three albino corys in the tank with him, but they are all peaceful fish and they don't mess with him. (the rasboras are afraid of him, they keep away. He actually enjoys playing "tag" with all of the cories). I'm actually thinking about buying another tank (not bowl, that's cruel.) for him. Only problem, what size? I don't want anything huge, five gallons would be my max. And I would like to get at least one or two fish to put in his new tank with him, as he's actually quite social. What kind of fish should I get him as tank buddies? (and please do not say none, bettas are actually able to be community fish). And if you do have a tank size in mind for the betta and his little friends, could you tell me where I could get it? Thank you! Whatever help you could give me helps my betta more.

Answer 1

Although I can't say that I know the cause of your betta's split tail, I know a few of my fish have had rare issues like that before, and it's been nothing to worry about. The tail eventually heals itself, fusing back together in as little as a day, in some of my fish. Make sure that your betta is still behaving normally and not acting "sick", moping in a corner, not eating, etc. This could be the sign of a disease such as fin rot, which causes a fish's tail to slowly disintegrate.

If you want to get him a tank for himself though, I'd say that the 2-gallon hex tanks that you can buy at Walmart work wonderfully. If you want to put him with a few tankmates though, I would suggest nothing smaller than a 5-gallon tank, as that is the largest tank that you can fit a heater to. As for tank buddies, generally any tropical community fish will do, but be sure to put them in first, before you put your betta in. If you do so, it'll help ensure that he won't attack his new pals, as they've already established it as "their territory". Although it might be alright, especially with a betta as friendly as yours, I'd advise not to get any really flashy, hyper-active fish such as guppies, as they tend to irritate the more calm fish, such as bettas. In some cases though, they all work out alright, like in my 10-gallon tank, where my betta coexists perfectly fine with my half-grown guppies, platies, an albino cory and a pleco.

Best of luck with your betta, and I hope he gets better soon!

Answer 2

You seem to have answered all of your own questions so just go to the store that you bought your fish from and get a tank and be done with it already!  I really don't understand why there are so many stupid questions posted by people who don't really need any help.

Answer 3

It's possibly fin rot. Treat the tank with medicine for fin rot, such as AquariSol. Do not take him out of his tank. It sounds like he is happy there.

Answer 4

well make sure there is alot of room for swimming when it has little amount of swimming space it will turn more often then it will have close sontact with its own tail and possible nip it own tail(it doesnt feel any pain when this happens)

the other cause could be fin rot and this is more like frays and colour change in the tail and can easily be treated with some medication.

i would personally get rid of the ornaments to allow  more swiming room and then do a water change and all you can do is let it heal and make sure it is out of sunlight

you dont have to give it a big tank a 10litre will allow enough space for the fish and they are very cheap these days and there is no need for a tank buddie for the fish it will kill most tank mates anyway. also it has to heal b4 you think about that yet

i hope this has helped you good luck with it all

Answer 5

Putting him in his own tank is a good idea-someone may be nipping his fins when you're not watching them.  Also, make sure your water filter isn't making too much of a current in the tank-this stresses out bettas and can cause them to swim harder and make their fins tear.  Get a smaller tank, put something in it with him (like a chinese algae eater or something else placid) if he's social.  Put a few drops of Betta Fix(should be able to get at the pet store) in his water to help him heal faster, and a small bit of aquarium salt.