Betta fins will grow back as long as the fish is healthy and is provided with a safe tank environment. Betta fins can start growing back in as early as one week and grow at roughly the same rate as our fingernails. Depending on the cause and extent of fin loss, they can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to regrow.
This article explains the different reasons that betta fish fins may fall off and when it is a cause for concern. We’ll also look at how to prevent fin loss from occurring and how long it could take to regrow.
Why do betta fish fins fall off?
Betta fish are famous for their beautiful, vibrant tails made up of long, trailing fins. They require specific living conditions to ensure that their delicate fins remain in good condition.
Fin loss is a problem for betta fish because it puts them at a higher risk of infections. There are several common causes of fin loss that you should look out for including attacks from other fish, unsuitable living conditions and infection.
Some causes are more serious than others and depending on the cause it may or may not be easy for your betta’s fins to grow back. Let’s look closer at some of the most common causes for betta fin loss and how you can recognize and prevent each cause.
Attacks from other fish
If your betta shares its home with other fish and you notice it is missing some tail fins it could be because the other fish are attacking it and biting its tail. If your betta fish is being nipped at by other fish you will notice several missing fins. You may also notice nips on other parts of your betta’s body.
You should stop your betta fish being attacked by its fellow tank mates by separating them into other tanks or by using a tank divider. Your betta fish will regrow its fin tissue without any extra help from you.
Tail biting
Is your betta chasing (and biting) its own tail? This may seem like strange behavior but it is not uncommon and can be caused by several factors including stress or boredom. If you notice your betta fish has been biting its tail it is important to uncover the reason for this behavior as tail biting is a sign of an unhappy fish.
Try adding some more hiding places in the tank to alleviate stress and consider a betta-friendly tank companion to help combat boredom. As with fin loss caused by tail nipping by other fish, the fins will regrow on their own once the tail biting stops.
Unsuitable tank decoration
Because of the long, delicate nature of betta fins it is important to have the appropriate decoration in your fish’s tank. Betta fish can tear their fragile fins on hard, plastic plants and other sharp or rough tank decorations.
Make sure that your betta’s tank is furnished with smooth decorations and choose live plants over plastic ones to prevent injury of fragile betta fins.
Fin rot
Fin rot is a common bacterial infection that affects betta fish. It occurs in poor water conditions, including unclean water or water that is too cold. Fin rot is a serious condition and if left untreated it may spread throughout your betta’s body and can result in death, so it is important to address the cause immediately.
Mild cases of fin rot can be treated with aquarium salt but more serious infections may require stronger treatment. It is essential that the tank and water is kept clean and free of toxins while your betta is recovering to prevent the infection from occurring again.
You should also move your betta to another tank while you are fixing the tank conditions and change the tank water regularly. Test the tank regularly to be sure that there is no ammonia in the water and be sure water is kept between 71-80 degrees F for prime betta conditions.
How long does it take for betta fins to regrow?
There is no set period of time it takes for betta fins to grow back. It depends on the cause of the fin loss, how extensive it is and the overall health of the fish.
Betta fish fin tissue generally grows back at the same rate as human fingernails and you could start to notice some growth in as little as one week. However, it could take up to several months for betta fins to regrow completely.
When they start growing back the fins will be translucent and thin but will eventually regain their color and former thickness. It is also not uncommon for betta fins to grow back in a different color than they were previously.
What should I do if my betta’s fins are not growing back?
If it seems like your betta fish’s fins are not making any progress, don’t panic. It is common for bettas to damage their fins again during the healing process due to the fragile nature of the fins.
While they are healing it is important to monitor their progress and keep an eye out for any signs of infection.If you follow the proper steps to care for your betta buddy and as long as you are not noticing any signs that the fin loss is getting worse then sit tight and be patient, your betta will be back to its former glory in no time!
Summary
If your betta fish has lost its fins they will grow back in time, but the amount of time it takes for the fin tissue to regrow depends on a number of factors. Now that you are familiar with the different causes of betta fin loss and the associated signs and symptoms, you’re ready to prevent and fix the major causes of betta fish fin loss.