Will betta's fins grow back??

[zpromoter]

I work at Petco and the other day some customer thought it would be fun to watch two male bettas duke it out and dumped one into the others cup. A co-worker found the betta's, one was just fine, and the other, very beat up.

The company said that they were unable to sell the little guy and let me take him home free of charge. I moved him into a 2.5 gal hex tank with bamboo and he seems to be doing great.

My question is will his fins ever grow back to standard size or will they remain shredded? Either way, I am just glad that I can help little Pachino out!

 

[Somervell]

Yes, they will heal, although they may not be as long or flowing as before. The key is very clean, filtered water. Keep an eye out for infection, too. People are so stupid sometimes. Good for you for saving the little dude!

 

[zpromoter]

I just couldn't bare to see him sitting there in a dirty cup anymore. He swimming around much better now that he has been in the tank for a week or so. His water will always remain clean. Does the bamboo metabolize fast enough to remove some of the ammonia from his wastes?

 

[Somervell]

I don't know the answer to this. My guess would be probably not with an injured betta. I would still perform daily water changes were he mine. I do changes on my 2.5 every other day, and I have a filtratio system in place.

 

[tonergirl]

:headbang2:Good for you, rescuing the little fella! :headbang2: Why do some people find such abject cruelty so entertaining!!! :cry:

 

[zpromoter]

I know its sad, but it happens all the time. I'm just glad that I was able to step up and help one out. He is doing good and swimming ever more. When I do the water changes, do I need to do 100% water changes or just a certain amount? I have just been doing 100% every week. *Sorry for the question, I keep cichlids, but never bettas before.

 

[tonergirl]

I would think that because he's injured I would try to keep the water as clean as possible to avoid infection, at least until he's out of the woods. Do you have a heater in there? I always had one in my 5g. I hope he has a speedy recovery!! :thumbsup:

 

[Somervell]

I would agree with the above poster. I think that doing 100% might shock the little guy. I usually do about 30% every week, but that's with filtration, so probably 40-50 every other day, maybe? A heater is a great idea as long as there is no sign of infection.

 

[zpromoter]

I dont see any signs of infection. Would adding a heater increase the risk of infection? I have a small filter, its one of those cheap tiny whisper filters, would it benefit?

 

[psyche]

The whisper palm or nano would be great in a tank that size. Just be sure he still has a still water area to rest in.