This is a behavior you don't often get to see, mainly because this means the fish is devalue and most people will choose to keep quiet about it. Out of maybe a 1,000 fishes you will find one tail biter, as its name suggest they attack their own tail. As to why exactly they do this is unsure and this crazies is not restrict to Channa Marulioides alone as Arowanas behaves the same sometimes. Some will say they are lonely or hungry, but as you all know I was left with 4 Terengganus and 4 of them is kept in identical environment, single tank fed the same food kept in the same PH and lightings.
From my many years in keeping Channa Marulioides this is the 2nd pc tail biter that I've actually encountered. I've swapped the fish tank with another Terengganu as I was wondering if the tank reflection is causing the self inflicting wounds but the fish that took its place behaves normal and this fish continue to attack its own tail.
I've also tried raising the PH to PH7 and I still see him chasing his own tail. From my previous experience the only way to stop this behavior is to comm the fish. When he is left distracted he will finally leave his tail in peace or a piece.
A member has suggested high flow rate will stop this behavior which is a possibility as my previous comm tank was with high flow rate. I will try this experiment before comming it in my big tank. I had already put out my Aimara for sale, he and the red kaloi is not exactly friendly anyway.
My observation also tells me it is not cause by glass reflection, as you can see from the video when he is swimming the corner of his eyes catches his own tail and he treats that as another fish and attack it as if its another fish.
For those that is acquiring a new fish observe the tail, if they're tattered and torn then it is a possible tail biter. Its not a total lost fish if you're planning to comm it, but keeping it in solitary tank will be most disappointing.
*update I've tried experimenting with high flow rate and 3 days later the fish is still chasing his own tail. So high flow rate didnt work in my experiment.
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