Hey, this is my first time on this sub after lurking for a bit on other forums. My female betta has starting showing bites / missing parts of her fins at the ends (the picture isn’t the best and she wouldn’t keep still enough for me to take another picture so this is the best I could do). She seems to behave normally, ranging from exploring her tank as usual to aggressively trying to get my attention and swimming into the glass whenever she sees me by the tank. I’ve heard that betta can nip their own fins if they feel like it helps them or if they’re stressed, but she didn’t have very long fins when I got her so I figured that wouldn’t be the case. I’m worried if I leave her be that she’ll continue to lose more of her fins. I’ve tried adding aquarium salt and doing more frequent water changes as a means to help, but it hasn’t improved her fins. She’s also turning more red around her gills, but I didn’t know if that was normal coloration as she ages or if it was more serious…
Please help me – I don’t want to lose this precious little fish to something that can be doable or easily prevented!
https://i.redd.it/8pgfcaz1xdnd1.jpeg
Posted by Mvcool_Player
2 Comments
Here are some steps you can take to help improve her condition:
Ensure the water quality is optimal. Even small fluctuations in water parameters can stress a betta fish, making her more susceptible to infections. Use a water testing kit to check ammonia, nitrate, nitrite levels, and pH regularly.
– Ammonia and Nitrite should be at 0 ppm.
– Nitrate should be below 20 ppm.
– pH should ideally be between 6.5-7.5 for bettas.
You mentioned frequent water changes, which is good. Make sure you’re changing around 25-30% of the water every few days, especially if there are signs of infection.
You’ve already added aquarium salt, which can help with minor infections. Ensure you’re using the correct dosage (around 1 teaspoon per gallon) and be careful not to overdose as too much salt can stress her further.
If the condition doesn’t improve with water changes and salt, you may want to consider using an over-the-counter medication for bacterial or fungal infections. Medications such as mAPI Fin & Body Cure or Seachem Kanaplex can help treat fin rot. Follow the dosage instructions carefully.
Redness around the gills could indicate ammonia burns, a sign of poor water quality, or a possible infection. Improving water quality should help, but if it persists, medication targeting infections might be needed.
Stress could also be a factor in fin loss. Make sure she has hiding spots and places to explore, and avoid any sudden changes in the tank setup.
By addressing these factors, her condition may begin to improve. If it doesn’t, it’s best to consult with an aquatic veterinarian who could provide a more tailored treatment based on a diagnosis.
just some tail nipping from the looks of it because perfect circle, also finrot darkens the fins so i’ll say you’re okay, he might be just stressed is all, probably because of the water (it looks cloudy/dirty)