Keeping a betta fish as a pet is undoubtedly an enthusiastic journey. It is undoubtedly an excellent picture to watch the betta fish swim all day with their beautiful, long tails and fins, in unique colors, hiding behind the tank objects. However, sometimes it can be worrisome too. For instance, when you see betta clamped fins.
If you are an experienced betta fish owner, you will know why betta clamped fins are happening. If you are a beginner and do not know why your betta fins are clamped, it is because of stress. Your betta fish is probably stressed due to something in its habitat which is disturbing it. Stress is a slow killer for a betta. In any case, betta fish should be kept away from all kinds of stress.
Betta fish is a rather sensitive fish that can stress out and go to sudden shock with slight and minor fluctuations in its habitat. Betta fish could get anxious when there is a slight change in water condition, if there is a new member in the tank, or if there is some infection or disease that inflicts it, which will eventually lead to betta clamped fins.
What Are Betta Clamped Fins?
When your betta’s fins are mushed together, it’s called clamped fins. While betta clamped fins are often worthy of concern, they aren’t limited to one type of issue. Betta clamped fins can signify chronic illnesses or inferior aquarium settings and are frequently confused with fin rot.
The captivating, flapping fins that make a Betta fish so appealing tighten up and may roll inwards to its body. In truth, there could be a slew of distinct explanations for betta clamped fins. You will easily understand the difference between betta clamped fins vs normal fins.
Generally, clamped fins are accompanied by various other symptoms like loss of appetite, lethargy, unusual swimming patterns, and loss in the vibrancy of their dazzling colors. This is because they are stressed or sometimes bored. Sometimes there also might be betta clamped fins no other symptoms. Let us look into the possible reasons behind betta clamped fins.
Betta Clapmed Fins: Causes
Mostly, it is some water parameters that cause betta clamped fins. Nevertheless, it is essential to check everything. Through an iterative process, you might be able to figure out the possible cause behind it and treat the cause accordingly.
Water Quality Poor
To ensure that your Betta fish enjoys a happy and prosperous life, clean water and suitable tank parameters are required. When you detect clamped betta fins, the first thing you should do is examine the water quality. Here’s a list of things to look into.
- Water temperature- A betta fish’s ideal water temperature ranges from 72 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Install a heater in the tank to maintain proper temperature levels.
- pH levels- Betta fish thrive in water with a neutral pH. A pH range of 6.5-7 is required. They can withstand acidic water for a short time but not for long. They become stressed in any ph range other than the one mentioned above.
- Filter and cleaning- Make sure your filter is working correctly. Regular filtration and cleaning ensure hygienic water and keeps the nitrate levels in check, which could otherwise be toxic and stressful for your betta.
Sudden Fluctuations
Due to stress, sudden fluctuations in water parameters can also cause betta clamped fins. Betta fish are always advised to acclimate when bought before introducing them into the tank. This is because of the hypersensitive nature of betta fish. Any sudden change in its environment makes it hard for a betta to adapt and get worried.
Tank Mates
Betta fish are territorial and do not like any other fish in their territory. Betta, when finding an equally dominating or more dominating fish in ints territory, either flare-up to challenge them for a fight to the death, or they will hide behind tank objects or filters as a defense mechanism.
The presence of a dominating fish intimidates betta and stresses it out. Sometimes, betta fish are dominated by other fish, they can be betta as well, and they can be subjected to bullying. Bullying is stressful for betta like it is for humans, which would make betta clamp its fins.
Old Age Or Heredity
With age, betta tends to lose its colors, enthusiasm, and vibrancy. Betta clamped fins can be a sign of your betta getting old. Many a time, due to genetic or heredity issues, your betta fish fins are naturally attached.
Betta Clamped Fins: Treatment
The only way to treat a particular disease is to know its cause. Once you have figured out why your betta fish fins are clamped, it will be pretty obvious what the treatment will be.
- Check the water temperature. If it is beyond the standard range, rectify the temperature. But bear in mind to do it slowly and swiftly. Give your betta fish time to adapt to the changes. Likewise, take note of the pH and hardness of the water too.
- Install a filter if you do not have one. Ensure that your filter is working. The filter keeps the nitrate levels in check. Changing 25% of the water once every week is suggested to keep the water clean.
- Your betta might have betta clamped fins because there are not enough places for it to hide or play with. Therefore, it is suggestive of installing as much tank decor as required. Add in items like logs, shipwrecks, and plants (live or fake, up to you) for a betta to hide. Betta fish feels less anxious when it hides.
- Provide variation in feeding your betta. Sometimes, betta gets bored and clamp their fins.
- Check for any symptoms of any illness, like white spot, dropsy, or swim bladder. Treat with an appropriate antibiotic as required.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Why are my betta fins splitting?
This is because of fin rot. Fin rot happens when your betta is infected by some bacteria or some sharp object in the tank tears it.
Why are my betta fins clamped after a water change?
This could be because of a sudden shift or fluctuation in any water parameter. Tap water has a lot of chemicals in it too, which is treated by a conditioner. If you forget to add it to the water, you might notice betta clamped fins.
Why does betta fry have clamped fins?
The reasons behind fry clamped fins are the same as a betta. Check the water and tank parameters, whether or not it is at optimal levels.
Final Thoughts:
Due to various stress factors, one might notice betta clamped fins. Hence, the primary key to a successful betta tank is following the betta fish care guide thoroughly. Meet all betta fish tank conditions and nutrition requirements, and you will bid farewell to almost all betta fish issues.
