My daughter ripped off our Betta fish's fin. Will it die?

B

Brynna I

New member
She used a measuring cup to catch him and she managed to rip off his top fin. It was not ripped off right from his skin because there is still a ridge of fin left on his back. Poor little guy was lying on the table. I thought he was dead but when I touched him, he moved. I put him back in his tank and he's swimming around like usual, except his gills are really visible and before we could never see them.

Do you think he'll be okay? Has anyone had this happen to their fish?
I wasn't letting her mess with the fish. I didn't know she was doing it as I was doing laundry at the time. She's three years old and didn't realize that she could hurt him. As if I just let my kid stick her hand in the fish tank and "man-handle" him. How rude.
It boggles my mind that people are making assumptions about my parenting skills and how I treat my animals. C'mon people, this stuff happens. We have had the fish for two weeks, never had one before, and my three year old was curious. Give me a break!
Well, whatever. Obviously I realize that the fish should not have been on the table. I made a mistake. Sheesh, of all the millions of people who have owned fish, you really think that this never happens? Uh huh...right. Maybe in your little bubble.
 
He will most likely live but he is more liable to diseased just take good care of him for a while and he will probably pull through remember they are fighting fish so they do get this sort of stuff
 
No, and I doubt many people have had that happen.

Why in the world is the fish in reach of a child? Move the fish where she can't get to it.

It's possible he will recover. Although you need to do a water change, and keep his water as clean as possible.

I'd also see if you could get your hands on some medicine for bacterial infections, and add some in with him after the water change. It's VERY likely he's going to get sick with an infection. Adding the medicine will help to prevent this.

Good Luck and monitor him closely.
 
Why was your daughter trying to catch the fish? You dont need to take the fish out during weekly 25% water changes. As long as he is in a proper humane environment (5+ gallon heated and filtered aquarium) his fin should grow back.
 
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