Ok I was preparing for a hurricane and decided to to some switching of my fishies so I took out 2 rainbow sharks and a plaeco and placed them in a 10gal tank and also I wanted my betta to be in good water before we lost power and he had to sit in stagnet water I placed him in the 10gal along with the other guys at first he was scared soo much room and such a lil guy...so I watched him closely and they seemed to do will he chased the smallest of the sharks and the biggest chased him, they didn't hurt on another just like playing tag almost. So they have been tank buddys for about 2 weeks and today when I went to feed them I noticed that his beautiful fins were shredded like u know how they flair there tails well his is like shredded pieces I don't know what happened?? I quickly took him out put him back into the 2 1/2 gal and added a little salt! He seems a lil bummed but...I dunno WHAT HAPPENED IS HE OK? WILL IT FIX ITSELF??

i would think he either got attacked or has fin rot, can you post pics? maybe the betta experts can tell what happened.

Good idea!! I will post a pick!!!

Well, you did say the Bigger of the two shark was chasing him...so HE could have been the Culprit. And if they werent like that before. Did you give the betta some hiding spots from the sharks and plecco? If not then I would probably guess it was either the One of the Sharks or the Pleco.

And if that's the case. You may want to watch his fins. Since they are vulnerable being all torn and what not. So I'd look out for fin rot too. Just in case.


And to treat Fin Rot and what not. I use Melafix... But I heard you shouldnt with Bettas...but I dont use it by directions... I use and Eye Dropper, Brand New...never been used and then put like 4 drops per gallon. And let him set there in for a week And then Do a water change and replce the meds until he is healed.

My little stinker Piglet gets finrot when he's stressed, poor thing. The last time I switched him to a new tank, his fins were partially shredded the next day, but they healed within a few days on their own. I guess it doesn't take any actual physical harm from anyone else to do it to him.

Hiding spots are definitely a good thing. I've kept Piglet's plastic holey-rock as a constant between the different tanks he's been in - he stays there most of the time, unless he sees me (the giant walking pellet) go past his tank. then it's helicopter time.

Well, he was always swimming at the top it was all the rest of the crew that would always be hiding! So I figured he was ok..I accually though that maybe they were afraid of him....I dunno..but here are the pix as promised the fist are before when he was in his lil 2 1/2 gal home....the 2nd ones are after the insodent!!

Tank switching,never seems to work for me,so I avoid that if at all possible.There are a number of reasons his fins could be like that,from the Shark chasing him like you mentioned,from stress,from poor water quality,etc...Have you done an actual Water Param testing on this tank? I think that for future references,hurricane or not,you're better off leaving him in his own tank.Betta's can go without filter's-their water doesn't have to get stagnant because you can change it out as you need too. I personally would keep him in his tank,and keep his water as pristene as possible.That should help his fins alone.Just keep an eye on him-just in case any secondary infections start up. Good luck.

I was thinking of putting him in a 10 gal (with a filter) and then put a divider and put another in there. Only becasue I thought it would be better if he was in a tank with a filter verses one with out? Do u think that is a bad idea. I do tho make sure his tank is nice and clean. I maybe clean it out every 2 weeks or so give or take. But I want him to be happy and healthy thats y I was thinking of the filter idea. vs being in a tank w/o one.