Tail Biting

[Sebas]

Bonjour, me HM is tail biting, just like all the past HMs i've gotten. Is there a way to have the tail grow back and stop the !%@$#@! fish to stop biting his tail? Oh Btw, how do you identify finrot and tail biting? In my case, this HM male was fine the day before and when i checked him out tonite, he became a DDR CT ($%#$%!@#). meaning the branchings are around but the inbetweens are gone.
Foohong, can you aid me in this problem?

[Foo Hong]

Think we have a thread on this before on how to control this. Overly agitated males seem to be the reason. The 'cure' basically is try to clam him down a bit in whatever ways u can think of. Thats what i think. I ve found that the use of a female may do teh trick.

however, people like Atison do not use such fishes for breeding as he is fearful they could pass on to offsprings. I am not so sure on this.

[Foo Hong]

Think we have a thread on this before on how to control this. Overly agitated males seem to be the reason. The 'cure' basically is try to clam him down a bit in whatever ways u can think of. Thats what i think. I ve found that the use of a female may do teh trick.

however, people like Atison do not use such fishes for breeding as he is fearful they could pass on to offsprings. I am not so sure on this.

[Sebas]

I suck at this......I managed to keep him in a tank off the rest of the fishes with a few ketapang leaves soaked in it. Is that okay? Do i need to add something else like yellow powder?

[Sebas]

I suck at this......I managed to keep him in a tank off the rest of the fishes with a few ketapang leaves soaked in it. Is that okay? Do i need to add something else like yellow powder?

[Kelvin Tan]

shredded like ct is finrot..... a chunk or piece gone may be tail biting.....

but i suspect water condition......
thai/ straits fish often get lots of finrot
they grew up in diff water condition as our hdb water

[Kelvin Tan]

shredded like ct is finrot..... a chunk or piece gone may be tail biting.....

but i suspect water condition......
thai/ straits fish often get lots of finrot
they grew up in diff water condition as our hdb water

[Sebas]

Thanks kelvin, yah, so i'm abit confused cuz the thing actually went from a nice HM to such a condition, does finrot act that fast? So what should i add now? Yellow powder treatment? The fish's caudal is growing back a little, like sealing back inbetween each ray, but just a little. Need help cuz i would like to learn and get myself prepared for such incidents when i start doing 'longfins' again.

[Sebas]

Thanks kelvin, yah, so i'm abit confused cuz the thing actually went from a nice HM to such a condition, does finrot act that fast? So what should i add now? Yellow powder treatment? The fish's caudal is growing back a little, like sealing back inbetween each ray, but just a little. Need help cuz i would like to learn and get myself prepared for such incidents when i start doing 'longfins' again.

[Sebas]

Also, i understand about the water condition, but does it also apply to the offsprings of such fishes? i myself dont think so, but would like to hear suggestions

[Sebas]

Also, i understand about the water condition, but does it also apply to the offsprings of such fishes? i myself dont think so, but would like to hear suggestions

[Tan Xiao YI]

tt time aft the 2nbc ronnie's fish had tiz prob oso i tink is they sway their tail 2 much tt coz it 2 torn(my opion)i put yellow powder wen i hv tiz prob can clam him down n prevent fungs on its tail....

[Tan Xiao YI]

tt time aft the 2nbc ronnie's fish had tiz prob oso i tink is they sway their tail 2 much tt coz it 2 torn(my opion)i put yellow powder wen i hv tiz prob can clam him down n prevent fungs on its tail....

[Foo Hong]

Tail biting is one issue we must firther study and obeserve.

There are also other tail damages which are not due to biting but is physical over exertion

[Foo Hong]

Tail biting is one issue we must firther study and obeserve.

There are also other tail damages which are not due to biting but is physical over exertion

[Ong Ginyew]

i agree with Kelvin.. my HM from Straits got fin rot too... took me some time to condition d water until my CT was cured... unfortunately, HM died :(
Try Melafix sebas, there may b improvements.

[Ong Ginyew]

i agree with Kelvin.. my HM from Straits got fin rot too... took me some time to condition d water until my CT was cured... unfortunately, HM died :(
Try Melafix sebas, there may b improvements.

[Sebas]

noted it down, will get when i pass by a fishshop. Partially recovered, but can observe spots of unrecovered areas behind the part that have sealed up. But i am expecting the caudal to droop alittle, probably nomore HM.

[Sebas]

noted it down, will get when i pass by a fishshop. Partially recovered, but can observe spots of unrecovered areas behind the part that have sealed up. But i am expecting the caudal to droop alittle, probably nomore HM.

[Ronnie Lau]

This morning, one of my favoutite RBHM got his claudal broken again - not sure if its tail bite of fin rot. It seems that this happens only to my more flary ones-THIS IS THE FIFTH CASE.Really frustrating!!! If there were anyhthing wrong with my water conditions - it should be "too clean" because I clear the excretion twice a day, change water every week and each fish has at least 2.5liter OF TREATED AGED water.Interpet 8 stops the finrot but I observe that their fins sort of hardened after the treatment and their activeness dropped tremendously.
FRUSTRATIONS !!!!!COULD IT REALLY BE THE LIVE BW ???!!!

[Ronnie Lau]

This morning, one of my favoutite RBHM got his claudal broken again - not sure if its tail bite of fin rot. It seems that this happens only to my more flary ones-THIS IS THE FIFTH CASE.Really frustrating!!! If there were anyhthing wrong with my water conditions - it should be "too clean" because I clear the excretion twice a day, change water every week and each fish has at least 2.5liter OF TREATED AGED water.Interpet 8 stops the finrot but I observe that their fins sort of hardened after the treatment and their activeness dropped tremendously.
FRUSTRATIONS !!!!!COULD IT REALLY BE THE LIVE BW ???!!!

[Ong Ginyew]

i remebered treating my HM wif Metha blue, i overdose it a little not expecting it to get killed.... i think its better not to overdose metha blue.
b 4 its death, its fin gets hardened, activeness dropped tremendously and DIED!....juz like Ronnie's...

[Ong Ginyew]

i remebered treating my HM wif Metha blue, i overdose it a little not expecting it to get killed.... i think its better not to overdose metha blue.
b 4 its death, its fin gets hardened, activeness dropped tremendously and DIED!....juz like Ronnie's...

[Sebas]

Ronnie, i would recommend you to use live tubifex instead of live bloodworms, the problem lies in the way most worm-sellers handle the worms. Tubifex will normally stick to each other forming these big colonies, but bloodworms dont, some are actively wriggling while others are inactive, so there are no 90% way of clearing the 'dirty' water of the BWs, and washing the BWs clean.

[Sebas]

Ronnie, i would recommend you to use live tubifex instead of live bloodworms, the problem lies in the way most worm-sellers handle the worms. Tubifex will normally stick to each other forming these big colonies, but bloodworms dont, some are actively wriggling while others are inactive, so there are no 90% way of clearing the 'dirty' water of the BWs, and washing the BWs clean.

[Ronnie Lau]

It's a shame because it is an enjoyment by itself seeing them devour each and every wriggling juicy BW. Anyway no more LBW from now....but then again, no such problems for the local bred as opposed to foreign imports...case of "yi fen qian, yi fen huo" ???

[Ronnie Lau]

It's a shame because it is an enjoyment by itself seeing them devour each and every wriggling juicy BW. Anyway no more LBW from now....but then again, no such problems for the local bred as opposed to foreign imports...case of "yi fen qian, yi fen huo" ???

[Sebas]

maybe its just like eating curry. You will be fine after eating jalan kayu's curry. But you might get food poisoning after eating curry in India, even though the people there are perfectly fine after comsuming the exact same curry. :)

[Sebas]

maybe its just like eating curry. You will be fine after eating jalan kayu's curry. But you might get food poisoning after eating curry in India, even though the people there are perfectly fine after comsuming the exact same curry. :)

[kennho]

Sebas, maybe the plates are not wash properly. hahahaha.

Anyway, like Kelvin mentioned that the rotting of fins normally together with some sort of fish sickness. The rotting part could start anywhere on the fins and will have whitening parts. Most of the time, you can see red blood clots. As for a bite by another fish or self inflicted injury, it's clean cut. But if unattented, it will turn to become a problem as bacteria will start to work on the wound.

Proper water management is critical.

As for foreign talents, most of the time the fishes are in great stress when arrived. The fish has to be properly qurantine with some forms of medication to bring the fish back to normal. So it's normal that some of the weaker fish tends to have other type of infections.

Simply if your fish are now exported to other countries, will the buyers said Singapore fishes are proned to dieases ? Give it a thought.

[kennho]

Sebas, maybe the plates are not wash properly. hahahaha.

Anyway, like Kelvin mentioned that the rotting of fins normally together with some sort of fish sickness. The rotting part could start anywhere on the fins and will have whitening parts. Most of the time, you can see red blood clots. As for a bite by another fish or self inflicted injury, it's clean cut. But if unattented, it will turn to become a problem as bacteria will start to work on the wound.

Proper water management is critical.

As for foreign talents, most of the time the fishes are in great stress when arrived. The fish has to be properly qurantine with some forms of medication to bring the fish back to normal. So it's normal that some of the weaker fish tends to have other type of infections.

Simply if your fish are now exported to other countries, will the buyers said Singapore fishes are proned to dieases ? Give it a thought.

[Ong Ginyew]

yea, u got a point there Kenn.
ur still d best in answering question and giving suggestion......lol
"shi fu"

[Ong Ginyew]

yea, u got a point there Kenn.
ur still d best in answering question and giving suggestion......lol
"shi fu"

[Ronnie Lau]

My problems with foreign talents did not occur until a few weeks or even months from their date of arrival, therefore may not be due to travel-stress-related or induced illnesses.

[Ronnie Lau]

My problems with foreign talents did not occur until a few weeks or even months from their date of arrival, therefore may not be due to travel-stress-related or induced illnesses.

[kennho]

Ronnie, after months of keeping in local ground, don't blame the foreign soil. Within a few weeks, possible. Chances within days, high. Dieases don't pop out if the fishes are healthy.

Ginyew, I also consider beginner in betta lah.

Let's get back to the tail biting issue. Not new to me as I do encounter such thing for fishes with large caudal fin. Maybe like dog get agitated by his own tail and chasing it as if another male betta fin. So I add ketapang leaves to darken the water. Stay more calm after that.

[kennho]

Ronnie, after months of keeping in local ground, don't blame the foreign soil. Within a few weeks, possible. Chances within days, high. Dieases don't pop out if the fishes are healthy.

Ginyew, I also consider beginner in betta lah.

Let's get back to the tail biting issue. Not new to me as I do encounter such thing for fishes with large caudal fin. Maybe like dog get agitated by his own tail and chasing it as if another male betta fin. So I add ketapang leaves to darken the water. Stay more calm after that.

[Ong Ginyew]

so the theory is to somehow soften the water or darken d water....
how bout adding peat moss?

[Ong Ginyew]

so the theory is to somehow soften the water or darken d water....
how bout adding peat moss?

[Sebas]

good morning everyone, just a little update, fish recovered by itself without medication, just plenty of leaves. So is it right to deduce that it was overflaring?

[Kelvin Tan]

i have flared my betta and fins tear apart...when i use a mirror.

anyway finrot is easily cure....m blue 2 drops in 1 litre water, or 1 drop per litre up to you

melafix is a totally crap medication, cant cure serious finrot

anti finrot by interpet is used as a fish anesthetic. that's why you added 8 drop and fish become inactive. anyway it burns on lips if you accidentally touched soome on lips (hehe)

go to my disease page where i recommend best med for fish disease
www.geocities.com/snowbetta

[kennho]

Wah sei, kow tow on Kelvin !!! You taste the medication !

Melafix is not a crap lah, crap not cheap leh. It similar to Ketapang leave except that from another type of tree or should I say plant. This Melafix can only assist the fish to recover from rotting but it's not a medication to help kill the bacteria. M. blue with salt will remove most of the bacteria.

Something I still trying to find the problem, betta caudal fin seem to tear easily. What is wrong with it ?

[Myron Tay]

I suspect it has to do with improper nutrition. Most of us only feed two to three types of live / frozen foods to our bettas. Need to provide more variety or ensure that there are sufficient supplements to the diet to ensure that all necessary nutritional needs are met, I suspect.

quote:Originally posted by kennho

Something I still trying to find the problem, betta caudal fin seem to tear easily. What is wrong with it ?

[Sebas]

I passed my opaque line to my uncle some time ago. He fed them with prawns, small fishes and pellets. And the fishes actually had not contracted any problems with their fins and health.......until 1 day he fed them small fishes with dropsy, the whole colony of bettas got the disease and got wiped out.

[Myron Tay]

Thanks for supporting my point. The other problem that we need to watch out for is in-breeding, which might cause the kind of wipeout you describe. But I digress....

quote:Originally posted by Sebas

I passed my opaque line to my uncle some time ago. He fed them with prawns, small fishes and pellets. And the fishes actually had not contracted any problems with their fins and health.......until 1 day he fed them small fishes with dropsy, the whole colony of bettas got the disease and got wiped out.

[Myron Tay]

Agree with Foo Hong that this seems to be a phenomenon that occurs amongst hyperactive bettas (some of which even flare at their own shadow!!!). Some calm down with age. Anyone tried using a sedative?

quote:Originally posted by Foo Hong

Think we have a thread on this before on how to control this. Overly agitated males seem to be the reason. The 'cure' basically is try to clam him down a bit in whatever ways u can think of. Thats what i think. I ve found that the use of a female may do the trick.

however, people like Atison do not use such fishes for breeding as he is fearful they could pass on to offsprings. I am not so sure on this.

[kennho]

What ? Feeding betta with small fishes ? What fishes ? Guppies ?

I suspect nutrients in water as well. Looking at those wild caught plakat, strong and firm. But those breeded, can observe the weakening in their finage. I recalled seeing a few thick strong fins during the competition from Straits, Dr Hsu and Foo Hong. What did you guys feed ?

[Myron Tay]

Those wild bettas have the best nutritution of all! Great diversity of food they feed on - tubifex worms, daphnia, mosquito larvae, bloodworms and lots more!

I suspect it is in part due to the genes as well. Breeding for colour might be at the expense of the ray strength for example. This is especially true amongst the red lines.

quote:Originally posted by kennho

I suspect nutrients in water as well. Looking at those wild caught plakat, strong and firm. But those breeded, can observe the weakening in their finage. I recalled seeing a few thick strong fins during the competition from Straits, Dr Hsu and Foo Hong. What did you guys feed ?

[Foo Hong]

I think nutrition [ calcium? ]and physical strain as highest possibilities. I am also trying to study if exercising a fish [not flaring] will build up a strong fish overall to help agst damage. The fighters in Thailand are given exercise n training before fights. Sometime to think abt. Having said we need to consider also that short fins are short anyway so less liable to damage.

[Sebas]

quote:Originally posted by kennho

What ? Feeding betta with small fishes ? What fishes ? Guppies ?



Anything small that he could find in the feeders at my grandpa's place.=....like say a guppy runt etc
I am another believer in the water used at Straits and other natural sources of water. They contribute to the rapid growth of fries and also maintaining the health of adult fishes.

[kennho]

Sebas, you lucky fellow. Too bad your grandpap place is way too far in. Or I will drop by every now and then. hahahahaha. And maybe I drop off all the fries into some of the nice cement pond and get free food daily. :)

Interesting ... how to exercise ?

How about the size of the container ? 6x6, 4x4, 6x4 blah blah ... a contributing factor to biting own tail ?

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by Goh Shaw Chong

Is it true that HM will bite off its own tail fins when under stress etc? IF TRUE, What causes it and how to PREVENT it?

I have 1 Royal Blue HM whose Anal Fin is a bit torn and may I know beside Malafix, Can Ketapang Leaves Extract help its torn fin to join back given in 2 weeks time?

Hear from all again.

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by Goh Shaw Chong

Is it true that HM will bite off its own tail fins when under stress etc? IF TRUE, What causes it and how to PREVENT it?

I have 1 Royal Blue HM whose Anal Fin is a bit torn and may I know beside Malafix, Can Ketapang Leaves Extract help its torn fin to join back given in 2 weeks time?

Hear from all again.

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by vinceyeo

It really depends on whether if the fin torn is wat type. one of my bettas had 3 slit-like type of torn and they actually joined back together just 3 days after it happened. if yours is not like mine then do you have any objects in the water that can cause the fin to be torn? things like rocks and leaves which are sharp and pointed.

suggestion would be to wait a few days if unsure and see if the fins grow back themselves.
if not then better to use melafix since ketapang does not aid in rapid regeneration of finnage if i am not wrong.

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by vinceyeo

It really depends on whether if the fin torn is wat type. one of my bettas had 3 slit-like type of torn and they actually joined back together just 3 days after it happened. if yours is not like mine then do you have any objects in the water that can cause the fin to be torn? things like rocks and leaves which are sharp and pointed.

suggestion would be to wait a few days if unsure and see if the fins grow back themselves.
if not then better to use melafix since ketapang does not aid in rapid regeneration of finnage if i am not wrong.

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by Lyon Goh

Well, about tail biting
Is it a trait, habit or external effects?
I feel that its a trait/habit. Cuz i gave my HM the best i could gave. 1.2ft tank, filter and a little ketapang. It still kept biting

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by Lyon Goh

Well, about tail biting
Is it a trait, habit or external effects?
I feel that its a trait/habit. Cuz i gave my HM the best i could gave. 1.2ft tank, filter and a little ketapang. It still kept biting

[imported_n/a]

http://www.bettaclub.org.sg/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1589

Hi All,

Hope you guys can get something from the above thread.

Cheers!
Xavier

[imported_n/a]

http://www.bettaclub.org.sg/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1589

Hi All,

Hope you guys can get something from the above thread.

Cheers!
Xavier

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by Goh Shaw Chong

Is it true that HM will bite off its own tail fins when under stress etc? IF TRUE, What causes it and how to PREVENT it?

I have 1 Royal Blue HM whose Anal Fin is a bit torn and may I know beside Malafix, Can Ketapang Leaves Extract help its torn fin to join back given in 2 weeks time?

Hear from all again.

Shaw Chong

My response to your question would depend on whether the anal fin tear is dependent on whether it is caused by the betta biting off its own fin. If it is, I am afraid that your betta has acquired a taste for its own fin and there is little you can do about it. Even when the fins grow back, your betta would start ripping it off some time in the future.

If the anal fin is a result of any accident, if it is a tiny tear and if your fish is healthy and young and the betta is kept in optimal water conditions, the missing piece should grow back in due course and you would not have known there was ever a tear in most cases. The bigger the tear / missing piece, the higher the chances of noticing the presence of the tear / missing piece after it grows back.

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by Goh Shaw Chong

Is it true that HM will bite off its own tail fins when under stress etc? IF TRUE, What causes it and how to PREVENT it?

I have 1 Royal Blue HM whose Anal Fin is a bit torn and may I know beside Malafix, Can Ketapang Leaves Extract help its torn fin to join back given in 2 weeks time?

Hear from all again.

Shaw Chong

My response to your question would depend on whether the anal fin tear is dependent on whether it is caused by the betta biting off its own fin. If it is, I am afraid that your betta has acquired a taste for its own fin and there is little you can do about it. Even when the fins grow back, your betta would start ripping it off some time in the future.

If the anal fin is a result of any accident, if it is a tiny tear and if your fish is healthy and young and the betta is kept in optimal water conditions, the missing piece should grow back in due course and you would not have known there was ever a tear in most cases. The bigger the tear / missing piece, the higher the chances of noticing the presence of the tear / missing piece after it grows back.

[Alex Lim]

Shaw Chong,

i believe Melafix is adequate for rapid recovery. i've had one blue STF. caudal got teared by the male during my experimental spawning. i put in melafix with ketapang (all my water are ketapang aged). the tear healed up in a day. fast results have also occured in other cases that i've used it. only downside is that melafix may turn the water a bit cloudy in some instances.

[Alex Lim]

Shaw Chong,

i believe Melafix is adequate for rapid recovery. i've had one blue STF. caudal got teared by the male during my experimental spawning. i put in melafix with ketapang (all my water are ketapang aged). the tear healed up in a day. fast results have also occured in other cases that i've used it. only downside is that melafix may turn the water a bit cloudy in some instances.

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by Alex Lim

Shaw Chong,

i believe Melafix is adequate for rapid recovery. i've had one blue STF. caudal got teared by the male during my experimental spawning. i put in melafix with ketapang (all my water are ketapang aged). the tear healed up in a day. fast results have also occured in other cases that i've used it. only downside is that melafix may turn the water a bit cloudy in some instances.
Alex

Melafix is not necessary in my experience. Just good nutrition and good water.

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by Alex Lim

Shaw Chong,

i believe Melafix is adequate for rapid recovery. i've had one blue STF. caudal got teared by the male during my experimental spawning. i put in melafix with ketapang (all my water are ketapang aged). the tear healed up in a day. fast results have also occured in other cases that i've used it. only downside is that melafix may turn the water a bit cloudy in some instances.
Alex

Melafix is not necessary in my experience. Just good nutrition and good water.

[imported_n/a]

Hi All,

Seems to notice that they nipped the top part of the claudal most of the time.
??

Cheers!
Xavier

[imported_n/a]

Hi All,

Seems to notice that they nipped the top part of the claudal most of the time.
??

Cheers!
Xavier

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by Xavier Tan

Hi All,

Seems to notice that they nipped the top part of the claudal most of the time.
??

Cheers!
Xavier

Xavier

Start off from there you mean? The two experiences I had with such fish is that they never stop. I think one of the reasons is that they get bored in their tanks. Sigh. What to do... [dr] [cnf]

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by Xavier Tan

Hi All,

Seems to notice that they nipped the top part of the claudal most of the time.
??

Cheers!
Xavier

Xavier

Start off from there you mean? The two experiences I had with such fish is that they never stop. I think one of the reasons is that they get bored in their tanks. Sigh. What to do... [dr] [cnf]

[imported_n/a]

quote:Originally posted by Myron Tay

quote:Originally posted by Xavier Tan

Hi All,

Seems to notice that they nipped the top part of the claudal most of the time.
??

Cheers!
Xavier

Xavier

Start off from there you mean? The two experiences I had with such fish is that they never stop. I think one of the reasons is that they get bored in their tanks. Sigh. What to do... [dr] [cnf]


Hi Myron,

Figure big or small tank they still bite. There must be a way out to prevent this.[puf]

Cheers!
Xavier

[imported_n/a]

quote:Originally posted by Myron Tay

quote:Originally posted by Xavier Tan

Hi All,

Seems to notice that they nipped the top part of the claudal most of the time.
??

Cheers!
Xavier

Xavier

Start off from there you mean? The two experiences I had with such fish is that they never stop. I think one of the reasons is that they get bored in their tanks. Sigh. What to do... [dr] [cnf]


Hi Myron,

Figure big or small tank they still bite. There must be a way out to prevent this.[puf]

Cheers!
Xavier

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by Xavier Tan



Figure big or small tank they still bite. There must be a way out to prevent this.[puf]

Cheers!
Xavier
Agree that tank size is not a factor. How about keeping them entertained by flaring from time to time? Think it would work? Can try and let us know?

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by Xavier Tan



Figure big or small tank they still bite. There must be a way out to prevent this.[puf]

Cheers!
Xavier
Agree that tank size is not a factor. How about keeping them entertained by flaring from time to time? Think it would work? Can try and let us know?

[imported_n/a]

quote:Originally posted by Myron Tay

quote:Originally posted by Xavier Tan



Figure big or small tank they still bite. There must be a way out to prevent this.[puf]

Cheers!
Xavier
Agree that tank size is not a factor. How about keeping them entertained by flaring from time to time? Think it would work? Can try and let us know?


Hi Myron,

The bettas at Betta World are being flared regularly with their neighbours when customers view them......but some still bite.

May try with a lower water level......notice higher water level they swim to the top and the dorsal and claudal seems to come out of the water like "Jaws" at times, this i think expose them to air and "itch" of some sort.....dont really know..still monitoring..

However, if water change if partial and consistent, most of them still maintain their form very well.

Cheers!
Xavier

[imported_n/a]

quote:Originally posted by Myron Tay

quote:Originally posted by Xavier Tan



Figure big or small tank they still bite. There must be a way out to prevent this.[puf]

Cheers!
Xavier
Agree that tank size is not a factor. How about keeping them entertained by flaring from time to time? Think it would work? Can try and let us know?


Hi Myron,

The bettas at Betta World are being flared regularly with their neighbours when customers view them......but some still bite.

May try with a lower water level......notice higher water level they swim to the top and the dorsal and claudal seems to come out of the water like "Jaws" at times, this i think expose them to air and "itch" of some sort.....dont really know..still monitoring..

However, if water change if partial and consistent, most of them still maintain their form very well.

Cheers!
Xavier

[Myron Tay]

OK, keep us posted Xavier.

[Myron Tay]

OK, keep us posted Xavier.

[Alex Lim]

i think the probability of bettas biting their own tails when presented with lower water level is very low. my tail-biting DT does not bother with water level. also, flaring does not help because i do not card my fellas. just sharing my experience

[Alex Lim]

i think the probability of bettas biting their own tails when presented with lower water level is very low. my tail-biting DT does not bother with water level. also, flaring does not help because i do not card my fellas. just sharing my experience

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by flyyeo

a delta of mine bit its own tail while i was changing water.issit possible for its tail to grow bac?how shall i prevent this in future?


quote:Originally posted by David Esguerra

It could easily grow back, in the wild, the fish may even lose all its fins and give proper food and water condition, it could heal back so a single fin damaged would be no challenge at all for the betta's healing system.

There are various theories on fin biting, but it seems that in your case, it just got to see its tail while you were changing water and just tried to nip at an illusionary opponent.

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by Steve

Hi from Melbourne Australia,

One of my HM's appears to be chewing his tail at night, this does not look like finrot. Would anyone have any idea's on why and how to prevent, l would appreciate your comments.

Cheers, Steve.
Steve

Welcome to the forum. Trust this thread answers your query. Cheers!

[Steve]

Hi Myron,

Many thanks for the thread. My belief is that it is caused by over excitement as my males can see each other. As we are breeding and trying to develop longer finnage it is easier for them to access there fins and take a bite. It may settle down once my guy gets more used to his surroundings.Again thanks this thread has given me some excellant information.

[Wayne]

I just thought i saw how they bite their tail the other day. As I always wonder, how can they bite thri own tail, because if they go for their tail in normal swimming position, they will end up going round and round. What i saw the other day, although i did not vitness the biting itself, but immediately it tells me this is the right post for biting one's own tail.

Imagine, the betta swim head down, and bend into a "C" shape, tail up. And because the tail is long and heavy, the tail will droop down, and the betta, at that position, can easily bite his own tail.

I never witness the biting itself, but, what i know, those are definately not fin rot. because those tearing, just don't look natural. Just my 2 cent though.

[tuckfai]

hi there,
i'm a newcomer from malaysia. i just bought a RBHM. yesterday night i just put a few ketapang leaves in my tank and this morning, the tail is torn! like opening like a CT? i also saw it trying to turn his head towards his tail as if he's searching for food... wat can i do??

[Wayne]

I am afraid, following the thread till here, there is no real solution to it, and no one knows eaxctly what causes them to do so.

it will be better if you take a picture of the fish caudal (tail) and post here. Because it could also be the ketapang leave that causes the tear.

p/s: uh...what's RBHM? [bt]

[John Chia]

Hi everyone,

From experience with birds, sorry to bring in the birds, we experienced tail biting and feather picking also and it is due to stress, agitation and frustration probably due to or for mating, new envrionment such as place, water, food etc. What we do is to introduce one thing at a time. Example, for new environment, we would like to get them to adapt to the environment before introducting new food. We try to replicate what the previous owner or breeder used. I apply the same theory to my bettas. Hope it helps.

regards

John

[tuckfai]

it's kinda hard to take a good pic of the fish. it's okay right now. no more tail bitting i guess. might be the ketapang leaves fault too... still waiting for the tail to grow back. RBHM stand for royal blue HM. ;p

[Wayne]

:D Okay, tuckfai, go and buy a bottle of Melafix. It helps with torn fin, make it grow faster. :)

[Eugene]

Anyone who dont use ketappang and see the bettas bite their own tail?
please provide feedback....

For those who use ketappang and the fish bite own tail...how do you prepare the ketappang?

cheers!!
Euge :)

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by Eugene

Anyone who dont use ketappang and see the bettas bite their own tail?
please provide feedback....
Eugene

I have not been using ketapang leaves in the past but I have encountered tail biters in the past. But I have not encountered any tail biters in my last few spawns already, in part, I believe, because I do not use tail biters as my breeders.

[Alex Lim]

quote:Originally posted by Eugene

Anyone who dont use ketappang and see the bettas bite their own tail?
please provide feedback....

For those who use ketappang and the fish bite own tail...how do you prepare the ketappang?

cheers!!
Euge :)


Eugene,

yes for your first question... tail-biting for number of reasons: stress, change of water perimeters, relieving their own burden (my case belongs to this, limited to one betta so insofar), mistaken identity for another betta (i'm deeply suspicious about this factor), lack of space etc. the list goes on..

in my limited experience, i speculate the presence of ketapang have got nothing to do with tail-biting at all.

preparation of ketapang: gather the leaves, wash them thoroughly, boil them or put them in boiling water, leave overnight (for me, 24 hrs), filter the leaves through fine net, put in vitamins (optional), wholla~ you got it.

just sharing

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by John Chia

Hi everyone,

From experience with birds, sorry to bring in the birds, we experienced tail biting and feather picking also and it is due to stress, agitation and frustration probably due to or for mating, new envrionment such as place, water, food etc. What we do is to introduce one thing at a time. Example, for new environment, we would like to get them to adapt to the environment before introducting new food. We try to replicate what the previous owner or breeder used. I apply the same theory to my bettas. Hope it helps.

regards

John
I think this is a useful bit of advice, John. Thanks for sharing it.

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by Xavier Tan

quote:Originally posted by Phil Ngo

Tail biting in HM usually happens when the fish is over agressive, under stress and confined to small quarters. I overcome this problems by keeping my betta either fully occupied through water turbulence or in complete isolation. Yes putting in a pail should help as well or you could alternatively wrap thick newspaper all round the tank and keep the fish in a dark corner.


Hi Phil,

Wrap with newspaper and keep in the tank for permanent keeping? or do we keep it till the fish is more calm or.....

Cheers!
Xavier
quote:Originally posted by Phil Ngo

Hi Xavier

Well if the biting is not too serious about 2 to 3 days should see the tail back to near normal. You can then remove the wrapping and allow the fish to settle before flaring them again.
quote:Originally posted by Xavier Tan

Hi Phil,

How about serious cases? It seems quite impossible for them to grow back.

Cheers!
Xavier
quote:Originally posted by Phil Ngo

Hi Xavier,
If the betta is good enough use them as breeders, if they are not, just cull them, unless in your case u could sell them off to someone who does not mind the torn fins.

cheers,
Phil
quote:Originally posted by Xavier Tan

Hi Phil,

I would sell them away provided there are takers! :)

Cheers!
Xavier

quote:Originally posted by Xavier Tan

quote:Originally posted by Phil Ngo

If they are of rare exotic colors with nice finnage, I really wouldn't mind.


OK Phil,

If there are, I will reserve them for you! [col]

Cheers!
Xavier
quote:Originally posted by Xavier Tan

Hi All,

Just some updates...figue the best way is to partial water change regularly.

Cheers!
Xavier

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by joseph_zhou

Hi all,

Is it possible for the cardual fin to grow back to normal even when there is a big tear? And will there be any visible difference(in terms of clor intensity) throughout the whole cardal tail when it recovered?

Joseph
Joseph

Generally, the younger the fish, the higher the chances are that the caudal fin would recover. However, in my experience, tail-biting halfmoons tend to do so later in life and as such, the tail might grow back, but they are never as good as new.

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by David Esguerra

Lowering the pH through ketapang or some other method also helps in fin healing, sometimes it helps so much that it would seem the fish was never injured.
quote:Originally posted by Xavier Tan

Hi All,

Another update, on top of constant partial water change, constant time for feeding does help a lot in maintaining the tail-biting. Also your HMs would need to flare a couple of minutes each day before feeding. It sure does help them.....

Cheers!
Xavier
quote:Originally posted by Wayne

Just my thought, cos I just have one of my HM biting its tail. Do you think it is because we let them flare with fish which are same colour as them? And when they turn around and see their own tail, they think it is some other fish and thus bite it. I wound't be surprise if this is true, since betta are "intelligent" in someway. And i notice the biting after i place the betta next to another male which has the same colour.

I can see a few preventive measure if I am right
(1) Avoid long caudal hm at all cost.
(2) Dun put them next to the same colour? (This is probably not true)
(3) Put some plant in the tank, and let the plant act as a decoy to distract the HM :D

Just some wild guess, currently, I am taking advice from this thread and putting my Hm in a dark area.
quote:Originally posted by Alex Lim

Wayne,

my own finding is that the bettas themselves decide if they need a "hair-cut", something which we have no control over. for my limited experience, most young fellas will not bite their own tail but as they start to age when swimming starts to become a hassle for them, then the biting part comes. i must add in that these does not apply to all my bettas though. it may be linked to the deportment part where many believe that this is genetically inheritied.

i'm afraid no one at the moment can directly address this question. anyone into betta psychology? [?][eb]
quote:Originally posted by sylwester

Psychology would help I think. I have one that bites his own tail and another one that I have prevented many times..

Fist one is a goner. He goes down to the bottom of the tank and utilise the corner to be able to bite his tail, which never is very long. This happens frequently, but it never happened before I bred him. I belive he is nervous rather than bored. Though he never show any signs of weakness when confronted and he is a proud fish after a mirror session.

Second one is actually one that has long fins that have some curling. He actually tries to bite his own tail after a mirror session. He is very aggressive and I belive this guy recognizes his own tail as the tresspaser previously seen. He does this only after the session and I can prevent it by putting in my finger when he goes in circles. I have noticed that the biting he does is much harder than of normal betta bites but after he has done that for a minute or two he is calm and won't touch his tail at all untill after the next mirror session. I have always wondered if I could avoid this by using a different fish instead of the mirror. He is active and healthy inspecting his tank and the plants while one day without the sessions he don't and looks rather poorly.

I belive that they might recognize their own tails and as they don't know how they look they might think it's another fish on their tail, and that would stress them. Does anyone have records of tail biters that has only been trained with fish with other colours than themselves?

[Myron Tay]

quote:Originally posted by Phil Ngo

To prevent bettas nipping their tails use the water flow system that I have recommended under the General topic.
quote:Originally posted by Alex Lim

quote:Originally posted by Wong Wei Yong

Used to have that problem when I was keeping HMs in the past. Heard that it might be due to water conditions and possibly due to tank size too. What is size of the tank you are using now?


small one.. 12cm x 20.5cm due to space constraints.. but the rest of the pack does not seem to have such problems.. and this fella's tail was nipped when i bought him over from my friend.. hmmmm.. perhaps he could be a seasoned nipper?