Will it grow back...?

[AusCatDogs_4Ever]

For some reason my Betta chewed off half his tail. (For those of you who don't know, it's a type fish). I was just wondering if it will grow back? And do you know why he could have done this? Here is what happened the night before he did this:

I have a bucket I keep the new water in a day before I clean his tank. When I was ready to change it, I noticed the water was low. I thought someone must have dumped it on me. So, I filled it again and waited another day to clean the tank. The next day the water was gone AGAIN. (Oh, there is a cover on it btw). Thinking someone dumped it again, I was starting to get angry. I filled it again, and kept it in my room. The next day I noticed my floor was wet. That's when I realized there was a hole in the bucket!!!

I couldn't leave my poor fish in dirty water any longer, so I decided it would be best to use what ever clean water was left in the bucket. There was maybe a little less than a half gallon left, but I thought he would be O.K as it was just for one night, and after all, he was kept in a tiny cup for I don't know how long. (At Wal-mart). Any way, when I woke up that morning and went over to feed him I noticed he was missing the end of his tail!! His pretty crown tail is not much of a crown tail any more.

I always thought he was happy. He makes bubble nests around his floating lillypad thing, and he is very active. His water is warm, and we have good, clean water. I feed him twice a day. Why would he do this to his tail, and will it grow back?

Thanks.

 

[Aussie Red]

Aus:
This is more than just a hobby for me is the raising of tropical fish. I breed them for the fish stores here.
First you do not and should not have water just sitting out for a day to do a water change. Next do you change the entire amount of water in the tank ? Do you add declor or a chromium base remover ? Does the tank have gravel and do you stir it up when changing water ? How often do you change the water ?
Normally a fish by it's self would not chew it's fins off and I would suspect that your Betta has fin rot or ick both being deadly if not treated.If for some reason it did infact nip his own fins and they are not missing fin bone they can and will grow back. Usually though this is signs of stress which means poor water quality. I can talk you through if I know how he is kept but treatment must begin immedatly! I do have expert level on fish and have many people come here to buy them and get advice have been doing this for some 30 years.

 

[AusCatDogs_4Ever]

I change the water every week. I don't add any thing in it. It has gravel. Should I put some aquarium salt in the water? What does fin rot look like? I didn't think that's what it was because they don't look like they are "rotting" and it happened in just on night.

EDIT: Oh, and I change all of the water.

 

[AusCatDogs_4Ever]

Maybe it could be fin rot... I was just looking up on it.

http://www.healthybetta.com/articles/Illness%20Diagonsis/finrot.html

I'm going to change his water completly.

First you do not and should not have water just sitting out for a day to do a water change.

Can you please explain this to me? I'm not sure what you mean. I thought you were suppose to leave new water out for a day to release some of the chemicals. What do I do with it then? (I'm not trying to sound mean, just asking, lol)

I'm also going to buy some aquarium salt asap.

Thanks for you help.

 

[Aussie Red]

Ok I know you are noit being mean here we go
1> only do quarter to 1/2 water change at any time because you are infact killing the helpful bacteria need to create a healthy enviroment for your fish.
2. never sit water out as household chemicals can come in contact such as fabreeze etc.
3. Fact sitting water out does not rid it of harmful chemicals you need to add a decloring agent.
4. Pet smart sells an herbal non harmful medication for fin rot. Follow directions on label.
5. if you are doing a complete water change you are going to have an amonia spike in the tank which will eventually kill your fish. Your tank is trying to cycle every week and not being able to.
6. MYTH: Bettas aka Siameese fighting fish don't live in self contained jars etc for long they need the same conditions as any other tropical for a long healthy life.
I know that this sounds complicated but it really isn't get the I believe it is called Metabolife medication or a small bottle of Quick Cure and after treatment change the water by 1/4 to 1/2. Quick cure is almost a must have for fish as it cures most all fish ailments unless antibiotic treatment is needed.
Auss. please don't think that I am in anyway judging you as most all people including myself have made this mistake until we learn what we are doing wrong. You are lucky if you loose one fish I had to loose about $ 500.00 worth before I found out what I was doing wrong.

 

[Aussie Red]

P.S. I have 22 aquariums all 55 gallons or larger and a 2500 gallon fish pond. Think of me at water change times lol. Actually I have outlets in place to vaccum the gravel and fittings on my sinks to run fresh water in. Yes I run it right from the tap at the proper temp and add declor at 1 drop per gallon.

 

[~Tucker&Me~]

Aussie_Red,
Nice to have aother fish nerd on the site . LOL
Basically, Aussie has covered it all! I would also buy a dechlorinater, as I find it much safer and more conveniant.
I would doubt that he himself would bite his tail off. However, it could get infected, so definately medicate!
My betta's have ALWAYS done better in heated tanks, with proper lighting, food (meaty, high in protein, frozen worms work well or live if you can get a hold of some), and preferably live plants. How large is his tank? I would be doubtful of ick, but fin-rot could definately be a problem.
Here is my favorite fish site. It is like my bible .
www.fishtanksandponds.com

~Tucker

 

[Aussie Red]

LOL Tucker about the fish nerd thing . Haven't been called that before but I guess that the shoe fits lol. Any way yes I doubt it is ick but I would go with the fin rot as well as the start of amonia poisoning due to the water changing. You ought to see this place could give a pet shop a run for it. Basically I was trying to keep it simple . There are many good websites out there for tropical fish. I raise Bettas too along with so many other species and am cross breeding several types to create hybreds. Have taken the blue johannie to an electric blue status and my females now have the same outstanding electric blue coloring. I hope that your Betta will be ok Aus but if it does not make it and you want to try again we can help you.

 

[AusCatDogs_4Ever]

Thank you for all the info guys. Tucker, his tank is 1 gallon. I think he will make it. He is a very happy, high-spirited little guy. Besides his tail he looks and acts healthy. I'll keep you updated on how he's doing.

 

[~Tucker&Me~]

Glad to hear he is doing okay .
Try to get something bigger though. Small systems are harder to keep clean and healthy, and put stress on fish.
I breed too! I also do a lot of fish rescue .
They sound gorgeous though! I really wanted a pair of keyholes, but my LFS wont buy them and there are no local breeders . I suppose I will concentrate on my GBR's.


~Tucker

 

[AusCatDogs_4Ever]

Yeah, I planned on getting a bigger tank. A 3 gallon is what I had in mind. But one night my parents came home with that fish tank as a surprise, they knew I was looking to get a new one. I decided to use it any way, I didn't want them to get upset if I told them that's not what I wanted... I'm still planning to buy something bigger...