Hi - I'm new to the forum, but could really use some good advice and hoping someone can help.
I have a 5.5g tank, fully cycled, with filter, carbon, heater, etc... Water quality is perfect, with the exception of low level (about 5) nitrates. Here's the composition:
After the new tank cycled, we decided to add the other fish, based on recommendations from a great LFS. The betta was already in the tank several weeks before the new fish and at that time, he seemed very healthy and very happy - made several elaborate bubble nests.
The new fish have been in for one week. Our tank is now spotless (thanks to dwarf pleco!) and everyone seems to be getting along. The problem is our betta's fins are now severely torn and he hasn't made any bubble nests. It's not fin rot - they are torn and split. I have watched very, very closely and the little gertrudes don't pay him any attention and are not nipping him. The pleco minds her own business.
At first, I thought it might be the driftwood so I took it out and checked closely - it's smooth. Plus, the dwarf pleco loves it, so I don't really want to remove it. I don't know what's causing the fins to be torn! Earlier in the week, I started a melafix treatment (the tears were small) and they healed up. But, I woke up the next morning and his fins were completely trashed! I'm very worried.
He is pacing quite a bit and I wondered if the gertrudes are stressing him out and the vigorous swimming is tearing his fins?? So, we added a tall, plastic (not sharp) plant in the back so he would have a nice place to hide. He does like the new plant (saw him snoozing there last night). However, he just doesn't seem himself. I showed him a mirror this morning. I've done this once or twice in the past to get him to flare. The first time this morning, he saw his reflection and quickly swam to the back of the tank to hide. The next time, he flared. But...what in the world? Is my betta scared? Did he lose his confidence with the new fish??
Any help is greatly appreciated. I am just about to put the two gertrudes in the QT and see if that helps him.
Thanks so much!
I have a 5.5g tank, fully cycled, with filter, carbon, heater, etc... Water quality is perfect, with the exception of low level (about 5) nitrates. Here's the composition:
- 1 anubias nanas
- 1 small driftwood with a little feathered java fern attached
- 4 lucky bamboos with their tops exposed
- 1 red betta
- 1 bristlenose dwarf pleco - our "foster fish" - only about 1.5" now and will foster a new one when she gets bigger
- 2 gertrude rainbowfish
- The water is treated with Prime and Fish Protector
After the new tank cycled, we decided to add the other fish, based on recommendations from a great LFS. The betta was already in the tank several weeks before the new fish and at that time, he seemed very healthy and very happy - made several elaborate bubble nests.
The new fish have been in for one week. Our tank is now spotless (thanks to dwarf pleco!) and everyone seems to be getting along. The problem is our betta's fins are now severely torn and he hasn't made any bubble nests. It's not fin rot - they are torn and split. I have watched very, very closely and the little gertrudes don't pay him any attention and are not nipping him. The pleco minds her own business.
At first, I thought it might be the driftwood so I took it out and checked closely - it's smooth. Plus, the dwarf pleco loves it, so I don't really want to remove it. I don't know what's causing the fins to be torn! Earlier in the week, I started a melafix treatment (the tears were small) and they healed up. But, I woke up the next morning and his fins were completely trashed! I'm very worried.
He is pacing quite a bit and I wondered if the gertrudes are stressing him out and the vigorous swimming is tearing his fins?? So, we added a tall, plastic (not sharp) plant in the back so he would have a nice place to hide. He does like the new plant (saw him snoozing there last night). However, he just doesn't seem himself. I showed him a mirror this morning. I've done this once or twice in the past to get him to flare. The first time this morning, he saw his reflection and quickly swam to the back of the tank to hide. The next time, he flared. But...what in the world? Is my betta scared? Did he lose his confidence with the new fish??
Any help is greatly appreciated. I am just about to put the two gertrudes in the QT and see if that helps him.
Thanks so much!