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Depends, in what way were they broken? If the fin split between the rays, it usually grows back good as new within a few weeks or months. If the rays themselves were cracked this will be fairly permanent damage. It is sort of like our own legs, if our skin is torn it comes back, sometimes without a scar. If your leg is actually ripped off though, it's permanent. Although, I have seen a tail with a broken spine seal itself back together, the tissue reconnected with the neighboring spines. If this happens, it may not be very noticeable that the tail was damaged at some point.

The biggest concern now is preventing any sort of bacterial or fungal infections from setting in at the wound site. When they are growing back the new growth often has a white look to it along the edge before it gains color, so it can easily be confused with a fungal infection at first. If he does get an infection, I've used Kordon's Rid-Fungus with success. It uses natural ingredients that doesn't seem to affect fish as harshly, does not kill inverts like many other meds, and it also kills protozoans and dinoflagellates which may set into a weakened fish. Kordon Poly-Aqua can also be used to help aid healing, and the two won't conflict with eachother.

A note on moving fish: I myself typically do not use a net to physically remove the fish. I put a net in the tank to see where the fish naturally want to go--some dart to the top corner of the tank, some to the bottom corner, some hide in a rock formation, etc. I set some sort of glass jar or plastic cup in that spot, let it sit for a few minutes for the fish to get used to it, then use the net to herd the fish into the container. When they are inside, use the net to cap the opening and lift them out inside the container. If you are lucky, sometimes they enter the container of their own accord to check out the new addition. You don't even have to really "chase" the fish. If they go the wrong way you can simply place the net about a foot in front of them and they will turn in the right direction, but they will often go inside the container of their own accord to hide. No broken fins or gasping, shocked fish. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes a very easy, low stress method--both for the fish and you.

Also, I find that a fine mesh brine shrimp net is best as well, it doesn't scratch the fish as much as the hard nylon nets. BUT! Don't use a mesh net with fish with hidden spines in their fins. You may have to get out the scissors if you do!


Good luck!

Good plan. As long as you keep the water quality high and the fish unstressed, he should be right as rain before long!

No, but as long as the split is clean it will heal in a few days.

As Feldspar said, no. But, a good diet makes a healthy fish, so make sure his food if good quality, is varied, and contains "real" food such as bloodworms and tubifex.


You know, that is something interesting to research. I have no idea if they have many nerve endings (if any at all) in that particular area of their fins. I will let you know if I discover anything. wink

Absolutely! You will also see some very . . . "interesting" (ie. ridiculous) behavior. You might see him dart up close to them and then instinctively go into "stealth" mode for the last inch or so, creeping up real slow with his pecs fanning hard for maximum control as he moves in for the kill. Of course there is nothing "stealthy" about the flashy colors and flowing fins of a betta, but it's a good effort! wink

Your gouramis are anabantoids just like your betta and have similar diets, so they'd love some!

My bettas occasionally "stalk" their pellets too, which is pretty funny to watch.

As for pain, to the best of my knowledge fish don't feel much of anything in their fins. So you don't have to worry. =D

illk into it, thanks
and of course my betta means alot to me, all my fishies do ^.^