Another picture.
Tragic injury! Ornament warning! *Graphic photos*
After the loss of my King, Bubba, I decided to move a few fish in order to better accommodate more active swimmers. I moved Stan (my white dragon scale) to a 2-way divided 10g, from a 3-way divided 10g. He had no ornaments in the 3-way. His new place would have a rock/snail bridge, which I thought nothing bad of, as the Betta moving from there never had a problem. A couple days passed with no problems. Though, lo and behold on Friday evening, as I was turning off lights, I noticed Stan was nowhere to be found. I saw that he was up under the bridge, and as I looked more closely, I was horrified to see his head stuck out the other side through the small hole in the ornament. I quickly lifted the light and lid off and brought the ornament to the surface so he could get air. I have no idea how long he had been stuck, and thankfully he hadn't drown. He was raw around his gills and neck from thrashing around and was missing part of his tail. He freaked when I put my fingers around his head area, and I knew pushing him back through was going to be risky, and possibly cause his death. Instead of using my finger, I got the tiny red scoop that had come with a fish food long time ago. It fit over just his mouth area perfectly. In between his breaths (when his gills were closed), I pushed him back through the hole. It took about 4 try's, with a short rest in between each one. Finally! He slipped backwards and started swimming. He was raw, bleeding, and really torn up. I cupped him and have started medicating him with stress coat. I've been cupping him overnight with stress coat, and then letting him swim in the tank during the day. I don't want to keep him in a small cup/tank for long because any buildup of ammonia will not be good for his raw wounds. Also, I feel any daily water changes will stress him out more than already. His tank was cleaned prior to moving, and it's filtered, heated, and planted. Is there anything else that anyone thinks I should be doing?? Also, that ornament is in the trash! Be careful if you have the same one! (bought at PetSmart, I believe).
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Evil ornament.
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Evil hole.
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He is ok so far. Just badly beat up. He has a "film" starting over his worst wound (top of head), and I'm not sure if that's part of the healing process?? You can see it slightly in the first photo. Anyone know?? He's swimming, but rests a lot. I can imagine he's not too happy. 
I don't like it either, but can't tell if it's part of the healing process, because his scales are so raw in that area. I am watching it and him very closely. I may go and get some antibiotic just to have it ready. I just feel he's getting stressed to his limit. Ugh!
WOW! I hope your guy has a speedy recovery.
I just wanted to say that I had a similar ornament, slightly smaller than that one by Top Fin and it was the biggest culprit to my betta having his tail torn before. There was actually a small chunk stuck to the ornament, never again!
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I am so done with artificial ornaments and plan to move on to live plants.
I just wanted to say that I had a similar ornament, slightly smaller than that one by Top Fin and it was the biggest culprit to my betta having his tail torn before. There was actually a small chunk stuck to the ornament, never again!
I am so done with artificial ornaments and plan to move on to live plants.
This ornament was terrible too , in the betta section meanwhile the front hole is the size of half a quarter and SUPER sharp , and the side one is a size for a guppy fish and really sharp :evil:
Update of the poor little guy soon , would like to hear .
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