Betta fish injury

Question
QUESTION: We have a betta fish that we believe injured himself by getting caught in a decorative plastic boat that was in his bowl.  The long beautiful parts of his body that hang down (sorry, but I don't the name of them) are torn off.  He looks like he's been scalped or in a fight but he's alone in his bowl.  He's still alive, and eating some, but has very low energy.  Have you heard of this happening before and do you have any advice on caring for him while he's recovering?  We have removed the plastic boat from his bowl.  Please advise...thanks.

ANSWER:  I think the things you are talking about are called fins and i have never heard of those getting torn off without another fish in the tank. Well i would use E.M. erythromycin powder and stresscoat to try and heal the fins.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Our betta fish is still alive, but barely eating and hardly swimming around anymore.  I think he's dying and now I'm wondering if there is some kind of disease that could have caused his fins to rot off. Have you ever heard of such a thing?  And is erythromycin and stresscoat available at most pet stores that carry fish?

Answer
yes the medicnes you need will be at almost any petstore. Usually cold tempertures and a unhealthy tank willcause fin-rot. Ok what i would do is get a 5 gallon tank a fiter, light,heater, and decorations, and have the temp. between 77 and 80 degrees Farenheit and your betta will be happy and healthy. Also do water changes with a mini gravel vac and be sure to stick the vac into the gravel to get rotting food, waste, ect.

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