I got a dumbo halfmoon as my first betta, having no idea the struggles they have. I’ve had him for a year and just moved him into a 10 gallon after being in a 14 gallon cube. I know there’s still some things I need to add— like resting places, tannins, and more plants for hiding spots (budget is TIGHT, slowly but surely). He could be stressed and fin nipping from the change, but he had jacked up fins in the cube too. I originally thought he was tearing them on driftwood, so I didn’t put that in his new tank. I never see him nipping but obviously something is happening. I keep his water pristine and his tank mates are two nerite snails.
So— is it fin rot? I just have no idea you can tell!
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1op80mr
Posted by notmymarbles
5 Comments
I think it’s rot. Another rookie mistake IS keeping the water pristine; if you change it too often it doesn’t give the bene bacteria a chance to thrive. Try to only vacuum every once in a while and only change when your nitrites start building up. If you always vacuum it takes the bacteria out of the substrate.
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He might appreciate less bright lighting, since you have light colored substrate that reflects the light back. Sometimes a super bright tank can stress them out. You could try adding in some floating plants maybe? Heavy finned bettas also benefit from those betta hammock leaf things.
FWIW, I had a dumbo half moon many years ago. Even in the most optimal conditions I could possibly create for this fish, he would give himself “haircuts”. Main thing was for me to make sure his water parameters were stable/balanced/optimal so if he did bite his own fins he wouldn’t be susceptible to infection/fin rot. He had live plants, blackwater with good tannins, baffled filter flow, resting spots, heater, all the right things and just still would be like hmm time to take a bite out of my fin!
Haven’t gotten a dumbo halfmoon since, next bettas were koi plakats!
Hope there’s enough algea in your tank for the nerite snails. That’s all they eat. Sorry for your guy tho. He may want more stimulation and/or hiding spots.
What are your ammonia levels? I notice that when the ammonia levels are present, bettas nip at their tables because they feel burning.
If you need plants or some wood (mopani wood is so good for conditioning their fins and keeping ph stable) Etsy is a great place! I got a 6 pack of betta plants delivered to me for $16. And they’re amazing and growing like crazy.