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I just recently moved one of my female bettas into my 29 gallon community tank. She has adapted quite well...very active, eating fine, great coloration and playing with her tankmates. The one problem I am having is the current in her new tank is alot more than she is used to, therefore it is tearing her fins. Is there something I can do or will she acclimate to this? Or maybe her fins will strengthen over time. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

P.S. I know this should be in "Advanced Betta Care" but technical difficulties are preventing me from doing that. So if a moderator reads this..please move it to the proper forum. Thanks

P.P.S Welcome Back FP!

Last edited by Jessnick42503 at 24-Sep-2004 16:05

I have a male betta in my 29 gallon (which has lots of current), and he is doing very well indeed. He has plenty of hiding places in which he can sometimes be found, though he prefers to stay out in the open, in areas with little to no current. I hope that helps a little, and if there's a moral, it is to provide lots of hiding. One thing I must ask: Just how is the current tearing at her fins? Are her fins actually getting ripped up? If so, are you sure it's not a tankmate? Is there a way of turning the current down a little? My betta didn't like the current at first, but he's gotten very used to it. Yours should in time, but I wonder why the fins are torn...

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

ummmm I can turn down the filter but I have been having clouding issues, but anyways it seems to be that she is doing it by just not stopping. She has ALOT more room than she did and she is constantly up and down the side of the glass. I'm almost 100% sure that it is not caused by anybody nipping at her because she has taken to everyone very well and likewise with her tankmates. I have not witnessed nor has my wife ANY nipping between them.

Sometimes clouding issues are caused by floating algae. You could try reducing the light in your tank, and reducing the amount you feed your fish. As for the torn fins, I don't know what to say, except that turning down the filter would help. I would take care of the clouding first though. I'd rather have a betta with torn fins than a tank with dead fish. Good luck, and I hope the girl gets better!

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Bettamax, Melafix or Pimafix will do the trick of healing your betta. By the way, I think she would be happier in a groups of females so she is not alone in her kind. Can u please post back and tell us what fish are in the tank? That way the people on FP will be able to tell you if it is the current or fish. My best bet however is the fish in the tank. I've never heard of such bad damage done to fins because of a filter - but hey! It may be a first!

Update: She has fully recovered from all the tears in her fins. She prob was getting nipped at, but seems to be just fine now. Thanks for the replies!