Tail Biting Betta (His Own)

webcricket

(So chill.) No wonder it's freezing
Mar 22, 2006
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Syracuse, NY
I have a very aggressive betta. He was originally intended for a community tank, but after a few days his true colors came out.

No one can walk by the tank without being flared at - when the heater light comes on he displays for it - I cannot clean him without being attacked repeatedly - nothing can go in the tank without being attacked (I finally found a plant he accepts, he ruthlessly slaughtered the snails) - he lunges at fingers - and on more than one occasion he has latched so tightly on to my finger I could actually shake him around before he would let go.

Nothing is safe, not even his own tail. I noticed him today "chasing" his tail like a dog. On closer inspection, it looks like he may have taken a bite or two.

Does anyone have any ideas on boredom busters for this betta? A mirror maybe? A plant he hates, to focus on instead? A plastic ball to float in the water? He already flares so much as it is, I'm afraid he'd give himself a fish heart attack if these this were left in the tank. I've never had a betta like this, my other 2 were darn right sociable community fish.

His water parameters are all perfect (no ammonia or nitrites, nitrates 5ppm, pH 7.6). He has a heater and Whisper filter - gravel and a flowery plant to hide in - tank temperature at 76.
 
Is this the guy in the 2 gallon? Maybe a larger tank with more stuff to play in/around would help him expend some energy? Live food to eat?
 
Just thought I'd update - the tail biting has subsided.

I ended up giving him some cool curvy driftwood and a live plant. He's pretty happy now and spending free time building bubble nests instead of mutilating himself. I'm getting a 5 gallon and may move him over to that once it is ready and see if I can't get a more docile betta for the 2 gallon.
 
great to hear! A change of surroundings (or decorations as the case may be) can do wonders for fish. It just gives them mental stimulation.

I really liked the ping-pong ball idea. I don't have any anxious bettas, but if I did, I'd try that! :)
 
Hrmm..maybe I should wash off one of my beer pong balls for Blue (my betta). He's not a very happy Betta either, I attempted to get him friends this weekend, 3 Neons just to see how it would go.. Needless to say 2 are now living in my main tank, and the third? Well, we won't discuss him.
 
i was planning to try the ping pong ball thing with my bettas for a while. they aren't that agressive, but will lunge out of the water if i have food in my fingertips (will ravage and eat whole any ants or small flies....). i would love to have a betta as agressive as that, would be fun to have a personality like his.
 
i've had bettas bite my fingers accidentally during feeding. It just feels like a little suction cup. They don't have any teeth. It's cute.

I had a marine snowflake moray eel that also accidentally bit me (my fault for feeding him by hand) and he had little teeth. It didn't really hurt, just startled me. I did bleed a little, though.

Ahh, the joys of fish-keeping.
 
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