[sierra lynn]

I recently bought my first Betta fish and I am very unexperienced. He was living in a small bowl for about 2 weeks with no filtration or heater (the lady at the pet store told me this was ok) then, I learned how cruel it is and got him a 5.5 gallon tank with a heater and filter. However, on his last day in the bowl I noticed a hole in his tail and I don't know what to do. I thought that transferring him to the bigger tank would heal it. He is swimming around and acting normal. I don't know how to help him, and I don't have very much money to spend on him. Did I make him sick by keeping him in the bowl for too long? :-( Please help!

 

[Zippy2014]

You could try adding aquarium salt to his tank. It may help but it's hard to say. If it doesn't help....it could be a bacterial problem. Then you could try one of the antibiotics they sell at the aquarium store, it's about $14 and you'll have lots left over if you even need it again. I recently had an issue with the fins of one of my betta also, I tried a few things before eventually getting tetracycline and within a few days her fins were healed. (My fish was swimming around and acting normal too)

I noticed the problem after feeding my fish live brine shrimp from the store. I think maybe something came in the water.

 

[RussellTheShihTzu]

Can you please fill out this form and post photos? It's almost impossible to give an accurate diagnosis without those and you wouldn't want to treat him unnecessarily.

Thanks!
http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=49233

I doubt you made him sick. Holes in caudals are often from flaring. And if you bought him from a pet store then fin damage is pretty normal. Honestly, if a fish is acting normal and eating I don't worry about them. I keep an eye on their fins but I don't worry.

 

[Alphaneon]

I think it is a type of fin rot. I read it somewhere. That hole will gradually create a tear if untreated. Try salt treatment, melafix.
I prefer live food for my fish. They also had many problems with fins before. Nothing really cured them completely but after starting livefood, they was a big change. Try that if possible.

 

[ao]

sometimes bettas can blow a hole in their tails if they flare too hard.

Most likely it's nothing to worry about and will heal up with some good clean water

Can you take a picture of it?

 

[sierra lynn]

Can you please fill out this form and post photos? It's almost impossible to give an accurate diagnosis without those and you wouldn't want to treat him unnecessarily.

Thanks!
http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=49233

I doubt you made him sick. Holes in caudals are often from flaring. And if you bought him from a pet store then fin damage is pretty normal. Honestly, if a fish is acting normal and eating I don't worry about them. I keep an eye on their fins but I don't worry.

Housing
What size is your tank? 5.5 gal
What temperature is your tank? 78 degrees F
Does your tank have a filter? Yes
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? No
Is your tank heated? Yes
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? none

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? wardley's betta pellets
How often do you feed your betta fish? 3 pellets everyday

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? I haven't yet in this tank, but the box said once a month (with the bowl I did weekly)
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? I haven't changed water yet (In the bowl I did 100%)
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? water conditioner

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters? no

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? Hole in his tail
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? Hasn't changed
When did you start noticing the symptoms? I'm not sure, my mom noticed it 3 days ago
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? nothing yet
Does your fish have any history of being ill? no
How old is your fish (approximately)? I don't know, he came from PetCo

here are the best photos I could get, he wouldn't stop moving

 

[sierra lynn]

The pictures aren't working for me, I don't know why. I just made this account last night and I'm not sure how to use everything.

 

[sierra lynn]

You could try adding aquarium salt to his tank. It may help but it's hard to say. If it doesn't help....it could be a bacterial problem. Then you could try one of the antibiotics they sell at the aquarium store, it's about $14 and you'll have lots left over if you even need it again. I recently had an issue with the fins of one of my betta also, I tried a few things before eventually getting tetracycline and within a few days her fins were healed. (My fish was swimming around and acting normal too)

I noticed the problem after feeding my fish live brine shrimp from the store. I think maybe something came in the water.

Okay, I will try the aquarium salt and see what happens. Thank you so much!