Betta Problems..

[Louise0328]

Alright, so I got my new betta 2 days ago. I keep him in a 2 gallon (heated, planted, and filtered) section of my 55 gallon.

My problem is that when he just hangs out his fins are clamped. I don't know if he's just hanging out and this is normal or if I should treat him for something.

He can see out one side of his tank into the remaining 53 gallons of water. I do have several fish in that section as well. He does like to "pace" back and forth on that wall a lot. Could the other fish be stressing him out? He never flares at them..

I will attach pictures of his fins and the tank setup below. His little section is filtered separately from the rest of the tank but it is all heated by the same source.

Also, when I bought him he did have a small.. dent (?) in his tail. Now it is a small chunk missing. Does his tank need better filtration?
The filter I have set up in his section is a Whisper 3i. I heard good reviews so I decided to check it out..

His section is in the too left corner.

Here are the pics.. Please help.

 

[Louise0328]

Here's him when he's relaxed..

I just noticed the fin clamping today

 

[MermaidGurl]

Since you just got him, it's probably just stress. I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[Louise0328]

Should I treat him with anything? Aquarium salt or stress coat?

I'll post another pic of him in a second once I look at him for a couple minutes.

 

[johnny leftist]

If it's just stress,the less you do to him the better. More and more treatments will just stress him worse. Try putting a large plant between him and the rest of the tank so he's not constantly bombarded by stimuli

 

[Louise0328]

Okay! Thank you for the replies!

 

[Louise0328]

Alright, well, that "dent" I mention in my opening post.. Ya, well it's getting bigger. Now it's a small chunk. Should I treat it with something or hope it grows back? I just tested the water and it all came up fine. Should I do a PWC? I just don't want him to go to waste. He has a great personality and he's gorgeous..

Luckily though, the fin clamping has lessened.. I think it was just from the stress of a new home.. I'm so paranoid when I bring home new fish lol

Alright. Here's some pics

 

[johnny leftist]

That's a tail bite....they do that when stressed kinda like how people bite their nails.

 

[Louise0328]

Okay, so my elephant ear betta has been having tail issues for a while now but I have no idea how to fix it. His tail started out perfect, nice and long with not a lot of ragged edges. Well now his tail is a ton shorter and is incredibly ragged. I have no idea how to help it grow out. He is in a heat, filtered, and planted 5 gallon.

Here are some pics to help out visually.

 

[MermaidGurl]

I believe that would be fin rot, someone correct me if I'm wrong but if he has deteriorating fins, I believe that's what it is.

 

[shepz]

Yeah I believe it is fin rot, this can be due to a number of things, often bad water quality.

Nitrate levels and things can interfere and cause this. I would do water changes very often, especially if it's a 5 gallon, and also buy some treatment for it.

Best thing to do to prevent is to keep water clean and parameters right. Over time the fishes fins should re-heal

 

[Louise0328]

Okay, thanks. The nitrates are really high. I'll start doing water changes when I get home. And can I use Melafix?

 

[shepz]

That would be a good start, try and keep nitrates between 5-20ppm.

Melafix is a very good healing agent, which would help heal the fishes fins. The only problem is it's not a curative agent and won't kill the disease that caused fin rot.

I would give the often water changes and melafix a try and if you don't see improvements after a week or two maybe buy some curative agents like maracyn, do not mix meds though!

All the best, keep us posted!