What's wrong with my betta (pic)

[WaterBaby]

I just noticed that his tail looks "cropped". None of his other fins look like this.

I would think of fin rot, but wouldn't this affect his other fins too? And this fast?

I have been having a nitrite problem in the tank and have been doing a 25% change every day. Could this be the problem?

NO clue.....:confused:

[ChilDawg]

What are those plants? They might be sharp enough to wreck fins...

[WaterBaby]

None of the plants in the tank are plastic (yuk, I hate plastic plants).... They are all silk and soft.

I have real ones on order, but they haven't come in yet (maybe today).

[Fishskin]

From the photo it does look traumatic rather than infectioius..this recently happened to my betta in a tank with soft silk plants...I think he got caught in something ( ? inlet). The fin is staring to grow back. Would just observe at this point.

[ChilDawg]

The ends of silk plant branches/leaves are sometimes exposed...that might cause an injury.

[WaterBaby]

Funny thing though. It looks like someone took a knife and just sliced straight down his tail. It's not ragged at all......:confused:

[MonoSebaelover]

What happens is a lot of times when bettas flare after consistently doing it their tail fins starts disappearing. I don't know why it happens but I have a male betta in my 6 gallon tank at college that has another male sitting in a tank next to him. Well they flare all the time and the one in the 6 gallons tail fins is raggedy just like yours. I don't know if it is because they get so excited that their fin starts shedding out (like human hair or what) but that is probably what it is from. Anyway, hope this helps and hope this makes sense. If not ask me to clarify better and I can try and do a better job.

[Dragon_Lord_Tia]

looks like a clown tail betta splendens i wouldnt worry about it to much but put some melafix in to calm your mind+ help his fish recover;)

[WaterBaby]

This was my fault. Sometimes, I put a small mirror in front of him to watch him flare, and give him some company (or rivalry), and forgot to take it away for a few (ok, well, more than a few) hours. When I finally removed the mirror, I might have not noticed his tail till the next day.....

I didn't know that this would happen, but do now, and won't make that mistake again.

Poor thing................He must have been freaking out........:(

[Fishskin]

I know the responders, as always, are trying to be helpful and I would not argue with the observation that this seems to be related to "flaring" but it does not seem logical to me. Fish fins do not shed the way hair does, so could we have some more clarification and opinions? Why would flaring produce a localized symmetric loss?

[ChilDawg]

I don't know why it is, but the question had been posted on other boards and received the same response. I'll be reading Betta books to ascertain that this is true and that there is a reason for it.

[ChilDawg]

They also trim their own tails due to territoriality issues and mistaking the tail for another betta...

[ChilDawg]

If you look at it again, it doesn't seem to be perfectly symmetrical, but I'd expect a more ragged appearance should the betta be "blowing its tail"...I think that it has engaged in trimming it instead.

[WaterBaby]

So now I have to keep an eye on him (if this is going to be a regular affair)....... to check for infections, fungus and the sort???????

Looks like we have a barber/beautician in the family. Wonder how much he charges....:D

[ChilDawg]

I would, but clean water will be the best remedy.

[MonoSebaelover]

I have a Betta that constantly keeps his tail short (I wish he wouldn't since he has a gorgeous tail but he doesn't think so) and have NEVER had a problem with any kind of infection. I would say as long as he doesn't trim it extremely short you should be fine with never having to treat him. BTW, my betta has had his tail trimmed on and off (sometimes he likes it long other times he doesn't) since I've had him which has been just over a year. Anyway, hope this helps.