Greetings. My betta has been keeping his fins folded for the past three days. He is still eating and does not appear sick, but I’m concerned about this behavior.
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1r5c2wl
Posted by Traditional-You9536
1 Comment
ninaross16 on
Awhhhhh from what I’ve experienced … clamping up like this and no real display of illness or disease, means most likely environment
Clamped fins are one of the first stress signals, especially with the flowey males.
Before visible disease. Before rot. Before lethargy. – they cramp up and hold tight lol … keeping it as less stirring up as possible
If oxygen exchange is low or there’s surface stagnation, they’ll hang near the top and clamp a little bit, maybe the plats are an issue? I’m not super versed on the plant aspect but bettas have been a norm for a long time in my home
Even if ammonia = 0, nitrate creeping up or unstable temp can do this.
Maybe Water Parameter Drift??
Did u test: Ammonia spike
Nitrite trace
Nitrate high (usually 40+)
pH swing 7 is usually a good point
Betta will clamp before anything else.
He looks clear-eyed. No loss of direction or side sinkingNo visible fin rot No fuzz white hangers
So I would less think disease and lean toward environment.
Could also be Flow Stress
Long-finned males especially.If filter flow is pushing him even a little, they clamp to reduce drag. It’s like aerodynamic mode. Do u have a stronger filter?
That plant mass could also be redirecting current weirdly, kinda reaching here
Tank size?
Additives?
Last water change?
Test readings?
Any recent rescape?
New fish/crustacean added?
New fertilizer?
Because bettas don’t randomly clamp for three days when happy.
1 Comment
Awhhhhh from what I’ve experienced … clamping up like this and no real display of illness or disease, means most likely environment
Clamped fins are one of the first stress signals, especially with the flowey males.
Before visible disease. Before rot. Before lethargy. – they cramp up and hold tight lol … keeping it as less stirring up as possible
If oxygen exchange is low or there’s surface stagnation, they’ll hang near the top and clamp a little bit, maybe the plats are an issue? I’m not super versed on the plant aspect but bettas have been a norm for a long time in my home
Even if ammonia = 0, nitrate creeping up or unstable temp can do this.
Maybe Water Parameter Drift??
Did u test: Ammonia spike
Nitrite trace
Nitrate high (usually 40+)
pH swing 7 is usually a good point
Betta will clamp before anything else.
He looks clear-eyed. No loss of direction or side sinkingNo visible fin rot No fuzz white hangers
So I would less think disease and lean toward environment.
Could also be Flow Stress
Long-finned males especially.If filter flow is pushing him even a little, they clamp to reduce drag. It’s like aerodynamic mode. Do u have a stronger filter?
That plant mass could also be redirecting current weirdly, kinda reaching here
Tank size?
Additives?
Last water change?
Test readings?
Any recent rescape?
New fish/crustacean added?
New fertilizer?
Because bettas don’t randomly clamp for three days when happy.
They’re dramatic. But not for no reason
Keep me updated!! What’s his name?