re: Betta fish health

Question
Hi!
I work at a pet store and I recently just adopted a betta fish with practically no tail (he's got a little stub of a tail; its jagged but does kind of look like it's healing). He can barely move around, and all he does is stay cocked to the side at the surface of his bowl and lies there motionless. When I do feed him, I put in a couple pellets at a time. He'll usually suck in one, tries to chew on it, and then spits it out and gives up. I try feeding him a couple times a day (just in case he prefers a certain time of day to eat), but it doesn't seem like he's capable of eating.
I change his water a few times a weeks, and add this chemical called API Stress Coat+ that contains aloe vera to help repair damaged fins and remove harmful chemicals from the water.
So my question is will his tail grow back (and if so how quickly)? And what should I do about the food situation in regards to getting him to eat?
Thanks!

Answer
Hi Jenna,

A bowl?  Bowls are not suitable for any live aquaria.  Nothing.  A betta requires a minimum of a 5 gallon, filtered, heated tank.  This is the only environment that will allow them to be happy, healthy and live the 5-7 year life span that they are very well capable of doing.  I cannot tell you how many times a day I answer questions about sick bettas and it's a direct result of living in an inadequate tank without ample filtration or a steady 78 F temp.  They are tropical fish and do need a steady, heated temp.

Your best bet is to buy a 5 gallon hex from Walmart for $29.  It is similar to the Eclispse 5 hex that most pet stores sell but much cheaper at Walmart and it has the built in biowheel filtration.  All you need to do is add a small heater for a few bucks.  The tank won't be cycled so you'll have to be diligent about pristine water during this time so that he doesn't end up with a bacterial infection in that wounded tail.  This is really the best chance for saving his life.  I would also add a small Hagen sponge insert and a small Biomax insert to the filter instead of using disposable cartridges.  You never need to throw these away.  You can just rinse them in old tank water and put them back in.

I would change out 25% of the water weekly until the cycling has completed and double dose the Seachem's Prime, a water conditioner and detox, add 1 tsp. per 5 gallons of water of aquarium salt and use the directed amount of Melafix to help heal the tail and soothe the scales and prevent fin rot.  Do not feed him at all for 3-4 days.  You need to preserve the water quality and a sick fish won't be interested in eating.

When you do feed try different foods.  All fish do better on a varied diet.  Bettas will accept high quality pellet, flakes, frozen or freeze dried bloodworms, brine shrimp and fresh skinned thawed peas.

The tail will grow back although it will never look the same.  I had a betta that was stuck in a filter intake once in a big community tank and his tail was ripped.  It did grow back but it's shorter and a little jagged.

You should see a marked improvement in him in a week or so as long as you follow the instructions provided.

Good luck : ) April M.