Betta tail not growing back

[megskee333]

Hey everyone. I just have a question about my betta's tail. I have had him a few months, and when I got him his tail was normal. However, about a month or two ago I noticed that it seemed as if someone had taken scissors and cut it off straight down, so now he has a nub I thought it would naturally start coming back by now, but it hasn't. Do you think I should treat it with some fin rot meds or something? Thank you!

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

was he chewing his own tail?

 

[megskee333]

I have never seen him chew his tail... and I've watched him quite a bit since he's by my bed. He has no tankmates, so it isn't like anyone else has chewed on it. There is nothing sharp in the tank that I can think of, so I have no idea what he could have ripped it on if that is the case. Hmmm...

 

[Brinny-chan]

I have the same problem with my betta, Steve French xD I had him with other tank mates for awhile, and I'm not sure if he's ever eaten his own tail. I was hoping it would grow back after awhile but it's not doing it. I currently have him alone; is there anything to add to the water to help him grow it back?

Any help would be good for both me and megskee, I think xD
Thanks!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

You can use Melafix, it helps heal and grow fins back, as well as fighting off infection.

 

[megskee333]

Thanks, CAPSLOCK. I was wondering if that would be a good treatment for him. It won't harm him at all if he is otherwise healthy, will it? I mean... isn't it an antibiotic? I hate to use one if it isn't necessary. Thanks.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

It isn't an antibiotic... it's safe for anything in the tank and will not effect the good bacteria in the tank (I'm not sure how it fights infections, but I believe it claims to...). It definitely does help fins grow back, assuming there is not something still actively damaging them (like other fish that keep nipping).

 

[megskee333]

OK, cool. I will probably go steal my mom's Melafix and start treating him. Thanks a bundle!

 

[Purple]

Melafix is more of a "herbal remedy" so don't be worried about over using it. Mind you - garlic has anti-biotic qualities too - but same as Melafix, it's not regarded as "artificial medication".

We did have a case a while back where the culprit took a while to be found ....... it was the cat !

 

[megskee333]

Oh my gosh.. that is too funny about the cat!! They are soo curious about those fish!

 

[homebunnyj]

Be careful with the Melafix and a betta.

It comes in a form called bettafix because the melafix can burn their labyrinth organ in normal concentrations. What I do is look at the teeny tiny expensive little bettafix bottle at the store, note the concentration, and just water down my melafix to match (not the whole bottle, of course, I need it sometimes for other types of fish!) and use it like bettafix. It's the same stuff, just weak enough for bettas.

If I could remember the proper concentration, I'd post it, but it's been quite a while since I needed it.

You might google fin rot and look at some pics. If the melafix doesn't do it you might have to go to something stronger.

 

[megskee333]

Oh wow, thanks very much for the info, homebunnyj! Now that you say that, it rings a bell. I remember using bettafix for something before, I think. I'll have to go look and see what the [] is of the bettafix so I can save some money... thanks for the tip, by the way!*thumbsup2

 

[Helena21]

I found it for you "Use six drops per pint, 12 drops per quart or 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of betta bowl water. Repeat dose daily for up to seven days before making a water change."

Thats from amazon

 

[megskee333]

Cool beans I also found this handy little discussion by searching google... it has a lot of good info as well:

Tropical Fish Forums > MelaFix vs. BettaFix

 

[ninamarie]

His tail will grw fast. I had a mishap at home with my two bettas and one got shredded and I just added some betta fix to his tank and his finage grew back with in a week or so.

 

[megskee333]

Wow, that is fast! Hopefully mine does that too*twirlysmi

 

[ninamarie]

good food and meds work well

 

[megskee333]

Well, I started the melafix treatment yesterday. It was finally a good time to clean the tank, so I went ahead and filled it up with new water, and then put the Melafix in. I hope "Bosco" has some luck with the treatment. If not, I probably won't try anything stronger, because it isn't a serious problem, is it? He's sooo pretty though, I would really like to see his colors come out in a longer tail. He's like a rainbow of pastel colors

 

[ninamarie]

he should be fine with treatment

 

[megskee333]

I have done three treatments so far... the fourth will be later today. I don't need to be doing water changes, do I?? Thanks.