Too warm?

[pitbullmamaliz]

Hello! I have two thermometers in my 10gal tank. The one furthest from the heater says 80, and the one closest to it says 85. They're not the same brand/type of thermometer so that may have something to do with it. However, if it is truly is 85 close to the heater, is that too warm? Apsu generally hangs out on that side of the tank, so I think he enjoys it. He's also a tailbiter, so I'm hoping that maybe the warmth will help that? Seems to be wishful thinking so far, LOL.

Anyhow, is 85 too warm?

[Oldfishlady]

Its not uncommon for a tank to have different temps in different areas and levels within the tank-especially in unfiltered or low water flow filtration use-if you have a filter-place the heater near the overflow to help equalize the temp...
The gradual temp changes of him going to and fro these areas are generally tolerated....85F while not that high should be tolerated in one area near the heater, however, I would keep a close eye on the temp (like you are already doing)...since this is something we should do as part of our daily checks on the system and Betta...the sudden extreme changes are what can stress them.....every Betta can be different in their tolerance to temps...along with monitoring the temps with thermometers the Bettas behaviors will help you know/understand tolerance....

Hope he stop biting...would love to see some pics.....

[pitbullmamaliz]

Thanks for the response! Every time I walk by him (which is about a million times a day as he's in the room in between my living room and kitchen) I bend over and check the thermometer. I'm actually rather compulsive about it.

I'm embarrassed to post pics of him - as you can see in my avatar, when I first got him he was quite stunning. Now, well, he's NOT. LOL There's no white left on any of his fins and they're all ragged. *sigh* At least it's not fin rot, right?

[pitbullmamaliz]

Alright, some pics for your viewing pleasure. Please don't laugh at his mangled plumage!

Apsu before, in all his glory:


Apsu now, in all his fin-biting glory:


His tank before tail-biting:


His tank after tail-biting, when I added more stuff for him to hide in:

[Oiseau]

He is still stunning. :)

[pitbullmamaliz]

Thanks, Oiseau. :D I think he's still very handsome, but I do miss his butterfly coloring. And I worry that he's hurting himself with the biting - don't their fins have nerves? Or are they like hair?

[nel3]

you're not the only one for the avatar picture. the one in my avatar blows and bites his tail and his caudal tails are from the pic in the avatar.

[Tikibirds]

I think their tail bitting is like us bitting our nails.

[nel3]

Originally Posted by Tikibirds

I think their tail bitting is like us bitting our nails.

it may also be food confusion in my case. my green dt trims all brown areas of his tails when they blow. he usually stops when all the brown sections are gone