Can tail biting cause rips in tail?

[Nothingness]

This morning I had noticed that Arthurs tail looked to be in pretty bad shape. It seems to be shorter and there is a nice tear in it as well that spans 1/2 the length of his tail. He is a veiltail. The only stuff that is in his tank is a terracotta pot, gravel, 3 ghost shrimp, 2 anabius, 2 swords, java fern, hornswort, moss ball, heater, thermometer, and sponge filter.

do Ghost Shrimp nip at betta tails? I have never witnessed this happening but I am at a loss as to what has caused the tears on his tail

[Myates]

It could of been him pulling at his fins trying to bite a piece off.. they do split pretty easily, sometimes just from flaring.

A straight split tends to fuse back together relatively quickly, so I wouldn't worry about it too much - just make sure the filter isn't causing too strong of a current, as that can cause rips as well.

Haven't heard/experienced ghost shrimp munching on fins.

[Nothingness]

Ya he has had a few tears before which healed up very quickly and was part of the reason I decided to get rid of all the decorations and go to real plants. It just makes me sad to see his tail all torn up

[Myates]

I understand.. I have a fin biter too and hate seeing the fins so short.