Fin-nipping, need help!

[tahbi]

Jeesh, one problem goes away and another arises!

Yesterday I changed 50% of my tank water so I could put some salt in because my fish got the Ick disease, but the disease is pretty much gone now.

I re-arranged a lot of my tank decorations and moved things around. When I woke up this morning I checked on my fish like I always do and I immediately noticed my betta Orphan's tail looked like pieces were taken out of it.

After watching for only a few seconds one of the neons swam over and started nipping at his already-damaged tail. :( I tapped the glass really hard and he swam off though. I fed them all after that to see if maybe the neons were only hungry, since I woke up a few hours late today. But that can't be it because one of the neons nipped my betta again as I was typing this. (I tried to catch him by the way but he was too fast)

I believe it's only one of neons doing this, but I don't understand why. They never did this until yesterday when I changed the tank water and re-arranged things, and they've been in the tank for two-three weeks.

Should I remove the fish I see doing this for a few days to make sure the others aren't doing it either, and maybe trade him for a different neon at the pet store? Or should I just remove my betta? (I'd hate to do that though, he looks so pretty and alive in the 10g) Or should I wait to see if they stop, even?

If the other neons are doing this also, I'll return them all to the pet store and see if I can get different fish after my betta heals up. Any suggestions on creatures/fish that bettas are okay with and don't fin-nip? :P

Oh, and what should I do to treat him? I have salt now. :) Added some yesterday. Am I supposed to add it everyday or just everytime I do a water change?

[BettaxFishxCrazy]

I would remove the fish that's doing it and if you see other ones doing it, than either remove your betta or take the neons back. Aquarium salt and clean water will help him heal up nicely. It'll take some time (usually a month or 2 depending on how bad it is) because the fins are so fragile and can rip easily when they're growing back. I put salt back in whenever I'm doing a full water change, but since you have a 10G you won't be doing that. Put in what you take out since salt doesn't dissolve you don't want to put too much in. The aquarium salt container should say how much to put in per _ gallon and follow that.

[tahbi]

Okay, thank you so much <3 I think I'll just take my betta out and put him into a smaller aquarium so treatment will be easier? And because the neons are so hard to catch. I'll just wait to catch them when I do the next water-change. Thank you. :)

[BettaxFishxCrazy]

Yeah that's a good idea. :) You're welcome!

[Mister Sparkle]

How many neons are in there? Oftentimes, a bigger school can do the trick.

[tahbi]

6 neons in a 10 gallon with a small Chinese Algae Eater and my betta (but he's moved out now). I noticed the neon who was biting his tail is always picked on by the bigger neons. Maybe the poor guy is sad that he's being bullied so he picks on my betta? :P

[Mister Sparkle]

That's so odd. I don't think I've ever seen neons act aggressive like that...and with a fish 3 times its size (or more!)!!!!!

[BettaxFishxCrazy]

Yeah that's what I was thinking when I first read it too.lol It should be the other way around. :P

[Mister Sparkle]

He must have some sort of Napoleonic complex or something!

[BettaxFishxCrazy]

Lol! :P