Tail Rot or Self Mutilation?

[Vice]

Hi

By this stage some of you may know about the ongoing issues with Piglet the Betta as I have already posted about him a few times. I am starting to suspect however that his 'tail rot' may actually be him nibbling at his own tail as I almost caught him doing it yesterday (staring at his tail not actually nibbling). I've attached some photos so I can see what you guys think and if he is biting how do I get him to stop? He has a filter, he has live plants, he has a heater set on 28 degrees C (actual water temp. ranges from 24.5 to 26), he has hidey holes and I feed him a combination of Betta Pellets and Freeze Dried Worms. At the moment I'm doing daily 30% water changes and weekly 100% water changes and treating the messy fins with a fifth of the recommended dose of MelaFix daily. Other than providing him with dinner and a show I don't know what else to do ... Oh I also tried putting a mirror up for ten minutes a day (which makes him flare like crazy) in case he was bored and then NOT putting up a mirror for 10 minutes a day in case he was stressing out. I hope you can see in the photos that his top fin has got some nice looking re-growth but the tail is still a mess and now there seems to be issues with his bottom fin too ... Help?

 

[rich311k]

It sounds like you are doing all the right things. The clean water should heal him up. There is nothing in the tank with sharp edges?

 

[Vice]

Nope ... the only other thing I can think of is that his fins are getting damaged being sucked through the filter. He sleeps there EVERY night. It's actually kind of cute. As soon as I turn the bedroom light off and get into bed he heads straight for the filter and stays there until I turn the light on in the morning. Does it look like tail rot or damage to you? I can't see any white or black on the edges so that's why I'm leaning towards an injury rather than an infection.

 

[HUKIT]

He's very pretty, I agree with Rich keep the water conditions pristine and monitor the tail section for a week or so, within that time you should start seeing new growth if not then a round a meds may be needed. Always start with water and go from there...I think Melafix/Pimafix make great paperweights but that's all.

 

[Vice]

I already did six days with Multi Cure (Malachite Green, Methylene Blue and Acriflavine). Honestly I didn't see much change. He's appetite and everything else seem ok. He's plenty active and still eating like a little piggy (hence the name) and his fins / tail keep showing a bit of regrowth and then getting worse again. I really do think he's chewing on himself. He seems to spend a lot of time chasing his tail like a dog. Could it be a boredom / anxiety thing? Any sugestion on meds if it's not?