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Clamped Fins in Betta Fish

Clamped Fins in Betta Fish

Updated on February 03, 2023
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Reviewed by Don Spaeth
Petco’s National Aquatic Care, Education and Programs Manager

What are they? | Causes & treatments

betta fish with clamped fins

Betta fish are known for their gorgeous, fan-like fins, which they typically show off. Their fins are also an indicator of their health and most types should be long and flowing. A betta’s clamped fins is one of the most noticeable signs of stress and illness, but identifying this condition is just the beginning of helping your fish. When you get to the root cause, you can find the most effective treatment for betta fin clamping. 

What are clamped fins?

Clamped fins is when your betta holds their fins very close to their body. It may even look like they are stuck together or to your fish’s body. A betta’s clamped fins is not a disease in itself but rather a symptom of something else that’s wrong. If your fish keeps their fins tight against their body most of the time, it can be a sign of illness, stress or issues within your aquarium.  

Causes and treatments 

For a betta, clamped fin treatment depends on the cause, and there are many reasons why your fish could be clamping its fins.  

Improper aquarium size

Many people think they can keep bettas in environments like small fishbowls, but the water in these habitats can quickly become dirty. In addition, bettas love to explore and may become stressed in a small space, leading to clamped fins.  

Providing each betta fish with at least a one-gallon aquarium can help provide a stable environment—preferably horizontal rather than vertical, as bettas love to swim close to the top of the water. 

Incorrect temperature

In nature, bettas are found in the streams and flood plains of Southeast Asia. They prefer a slightly warmer water temperature, preferring it from 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Colder water can weaken their immune system, cause inactivity and clamped fins, so ensure your betta is being kept toward the warmer end of that temperature range.  

Treatment

If the water temperature becomes too cold, consider adding a heater in their aquarium to keep the appropriate temperature and a thermometer to monitor it. 

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Improper filtration

Filtration is another reason not to keep your betta in a fishbowl. Filtration not only helps remove impurities while facilitating the growth of good bacteria, but also circulates and oxygenates the water. Poor water quality is one of the most common causes of fin clamping.  

Treatment

Set your aquarium up with the appropriate mechanical filter for its size. 

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New tank syndrome

This is related to filtration and refers to an aquarium that has not yet cycled. A cycled aquarium has reached the right concentration of good bacteria that can naturally help to convert harmful nitrite and ammonia to safer forms. Elevated nitrite or ammonia levels can stress your betta and cause clamped fins.  

Treatment

Ideally, cycle your aquatic habitat before you add your betta fish. Depending on the size of your aquarium, it should typically be fully cycled in about six weeks. If you’ve already added your betta, keep a close eye on your nitrite and ammonia levels and change the water as necessary, ensuring the nitrogen fixing bacteria is allowed to colonize.  

Inappropriate aquascaping

Fin clamping may mean your fish isn’t comfortable with the aquascaping in their habitat. To help, have your plants, substrate and décor mimic your fish’s natural habitat. This will also provide your betta mental stimulation.  

Treatment

Because of their delicate fins, bettas prefer silk or live plants with large leaves where they can rest. They also enjoy having places to hide and explore. Avoid metal objects—which can corrode—as well as coral and seashells, which slowly dissolve in freshwater and raise the pH levels.  

Incompatible aquarium mates

Male bettas can’t be kept with other males because they will fight. However, certain types of fish may also pick on bettas or compete with them for food. In this case, your betta’s clamped fins could signify they’re stressed from trying to protect themselves. 

Treatment

House your betta by themself or with smaller, less aggressive fish like tetras. Small catfish species (like otocinclus) and shrimp can also make good betta tankmates. Avoid aggressive fish like barbs and cichlids, which may pick at your betta’s fins.  

Poor diet

Nutrition is the cornerstone of aquatic life health. If your betta isn’t receiving the right balance of nutrients, vitamins and protein, they can become stressed and will be less able to fight off disease, possibly leading to clamped fins. 

Treatment

Always feed food specially formulated for bettas and follow the feeding instructions on the packaging.

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Fin rot

Fin rot often resembles clamped fins in a betta, and the fins will appear tattered or like they’re disappearing entirely. Eventually, fin rot progresses to the body and becomes lethal. It’s usually caused by poor water quality, including new tank syndrome. Fin rot is not to be confused with torn fins due to sharp décor in the aquarium, or damage from aquatic life nibbling at the ends of the fins (even the betta itself can do so under stress).

Treatment

Test your water’s parameter levels regularly. If they’re out of guidelines, perform a 10 to 25 percent water change, ensuring that you dechlorinate the new water. You can perform up to a 50 percent water change if the levels remain high. You will also want to treat with fin rot medication  as indicated on its label.

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Ich

Ich is a very common health concern caused by the parasite ichthyophthirius. It looks like small white spots on your fish and can cause them to start rubbing against decor, and become stressed and less active. It can not only cause clamped fins but can be fatal if left untreated. 

Treatment

If caught early, ich is fairly easy to treat with natural remedies or medication . Adding 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of water of freshwater aquarium salt can be beneficial in preventing and aiding with disease control.

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How to prevent clamped fins in bettas

The best all-around betta fin clamp treatment is to prevent stress and illness in your fish by providing a clean, balanced and appropriate environment. Whether you’re setting up a new aquarium or fixing the conditions in an existing one, there are three main areas to consider:  

Design your aquarium appropriately

Give each betta fish the largest aquarium you can provide with a heater and a mechanical filter to keep the water warm and clean. Provide them with tall, soft plants for hiding and resting, and hiding places like rock caves or driftwood. Bettas are smart and curious fish that like to interact with their environment, so they enjoy having new décor to explore, like floating  leaves.  

Choose the right aquarium inhabitants

Many aquarists keep bettas by themselves—not only because they’re known to be aggressive, but because they can also become targets of aggression. Those gorgeous, flowing fins slow down their swimming speed, making them a target for other fish to nip. Choose your betta’s aquarium mates wisely or keep them alone.  

Perform proper maintenance

Poor water quality is one of the most common causes of illness and stress, and, therefore, one of the most common causes of your betta fish’s clamped fins. Be sure you have the right solutions from your betta fish shop to set up your new pet for success. Routinely test your aquarium water parameters, condition the water as needed and perform regular, 10 to 25 percent water changes. New aquariums may require more frequent water changes or the addition of conditioners that help accelerate the natural biological cycling processes.  

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