tldr he’s ripped it before (not fin rot bc no black edges) and it was growing out so well and when i went to check on him today before i went to sleep half of it was ripped off again. heater set at 78-79 filter yes, tank i’ve had for 5 months, fish for 4, ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 15, live plants + 1 ramshorn snail, driftwood (i’m thinking this might be it if he’s squeezing into places when he sleeps? but it’s always his tail fin and nothing else) he eats frozen and dry, and he’s in a 6 gallon. this is the 2nd time it’s happened😭my poor son, should i just call it quits and take out the driftwood
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1sv5rix
Posted by ohyikesmann
2 Comments
Tailbiting habit (those uneven, jagged U-shaped bite marks are a clear indicator, as well as the tail going from completely fine to half-gone suddenly)… Betta is likely fed up with his long tail he’s gotta drag around behind him all the time and said F-that and trimmed it down to be able to swim better, then it eventually grew back, and he trims it again to swim better. Extra partial water changes and Seachem Stressguard when tail is freshly trimmed and in recovery – otherwise it can get infected. Bettas with long or large fins/tail are very prone to developing a tailbiting habit. They just had enough of dragging around all that extra fin material, so it’s gotta go.
Check if there’s some strong flow/current going in the tank that’s upsetting him… also offer lots of resting spots near the water surface.
Just a beginner owner so take my advice with a grain of salt, but I used moss to idiot proof my betta tank. Get some aquatic moss from the pet store and use sewing thread to tie it around any rough/sharp edges, and stuff it into spots you don’t want your boy to reach