	AllExperts > Fish
	Search

About Lynda
Expertise
I can help you with cichlids, african cichlids, betta fish. I have bred most of them, including the Discus, and Angel Fish, and Rams. I have also bred many african cichlids. I have bred bettas too...well I am a fish nut! I can help you with most diseases, and have experience in setting up a tank. I can tell you tricks on keeping your water alkaline without products. I also speak and write french. I have experience with salt water fish, but would rather not get into that field. Please when writing to me, give me detailed information. The size of your tank, your water chemistry, etc. The more I know, the more I can help you. I cannot guess at what you have, so please give me information and I will do my outmost to help you with any question you ask me. Please do not ask me questions on Goldfish, mollies, platies, and guppies. Lynda

Experience
I have worked in Petshops in the fish department...was Manager in two...and alot of my experience came from my home where I had 26 aquariums from 20 gallons to 200 gallons.

Publications
I have a MSN group but it has nothing to do with fish

Education/Credentials
I have finished high school, and went to college, in accounting

Past/Present Clients
Too many to mention

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Pet Fish > Fish > Betta biting his fins

Fish - Betta biting his fins

Expert: Lynda - 11/5/2009

Question
Hello. I have asked you questions before (10/16 betta fish sick) and I liked your thorough answers. Our betta Barry is acting normal for the most part now. His fins though are another case. I notice he is biting them (the top one) often. Is there something you suggest. our water is good, he has a 10 gallon tank, and lately we just feed him bloodworms because he was constipated. The store owner said just go with bloodworms because the pellets were making him constipated. Thanks

Answer
Hi Curtis, (Thank you)
We really do not know the reason why some Bettas bite their tails. I tend to think that it is because they were kept in small containers too long before we buy them. Also, when they are shipped to the pet store, these poor fish are shipped in tiny little bags with hardly enough water to cover them, then put into small containers. The stress of shipment, then into small containers will stress a fish. I also think that bright lights, or too much light could do this. Bettas prefer the light of day, and get stressed when lights are on too long. Bettas who see other bettas will also get stressed, and may bite their tails. Stress has lots to do with a Betta biting his tail. Try to see what is stressing him. It could also be something in your tank.
Bettas who are kept in unheated tanks may also have this reaction. Under 80 degree water, the betta is cold. When bringing up the temperature, we must do this very slowly. Bring it up one degree every two days, if your betta is under 80 degree water. They are also very comfortable at 82 degrees. Make sure you do this very slowly, as bringing up the temperature to quickly can be deadly.
Check you PH. It should be somewhere around neutral. I would add Bettafix to his water.
Feeding him bloodworms for constipation will not help. Feed him a cooked frozen pea with the outer layer removed. Cut the pea into small pieces, and feed the pieces to your betta one at a time, making sure he eats it, and that it won't fall to the bottom of the tank. After feeding him the pea, do not feed him anything else. Wait one day, and if you do not see any waste, feed him a pea again. If he still does not waste, you will have to treat him with tetracycline. A betta should have one pea a week, and on the day you feed him the pea, feed him nothing else. Daphnia should also be part of his diet. Daphnia is important because it helps his digestive system. Bloodworms should only be fed once a week as a treat. Make sure you do not overfeed. Feed him 2-3 times a day in small amounts. Two pellets, or 2 flakes for one meal. Their tummy is the size of their eye so we should never feed them big amounts at one time.
I hope this helps, and that you will find the solution.
Lynda

Ask a Question