Betta Under The Weather

[sukaiz]

Greetings all,

I believe my Betta might be feeling out of sorts. He seems lethargic (maybe a little more than usual as he is usually quite lazy if I recall correctly) and I think he might some light coloured marks on and around his head (wouldn't say it is white spots but cannot say it is cottony growth either). He also hangs the corners of the tank, usually on the top. He still eats like a pig, which is a positive.

I did just recently move him to a new tank so I am not sure if that made the problem worse. It was recommended by my LFS that I move him from my 3ft community tank into his own.

Please find some photos attached. Apologies for the quality, can't seem to focus properly.

Looking for your expert advice. Thanks!

 

[Mebbid]

What was their reasoning for their suggestion to move him?

What are the parameters of the new tank?

 

[sukaiz]

What was their reasoning for their suggestion to move him?

My wife was thinking of getting some new fish and she was eying Mollies. I explained what we had in our current tank to our LFS rep (3 Goldfish, 1 Danio, and 1 Betta) and he said that Betta isn't compatible and should be separated into his own tank, which we did.

I will get the parameters tonight; will retest the tank before a water change.

Thanks for the reply Mebbid.

 

[ImACoolguy]

That's good you moved him anyway. Goldfish are cold water. Bettas like temperatures around 80 degrees. The danio is also a tropical fish, and a schooling fish. He would appreciate a school of 5+ and some warmer water if you don't have a heater.


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[sukaiz]

What are the parameters of the new tank?

pH is 6.8.
Ammonia is 0 ppm.
Nitrite is 0.25 ppm.
Nitrate is 40 ppm.

I do daily 50% water changes so it doesn't stress him out in efforts to decrease the nitrates.

That's good you moved him anyway. Goldfish are cold water. Bettas like temperatures around 80 degrees. The danio is also a tropical fish, and a schooling fish. He would appreciate a school of 5+ and some warmer water if you don't have a heater.

Thanks for the reply ImACoolguy. In fact I already have a heater in that tank, keep it a nice 72 degrees F (22 degrees C) so it's good for everyone. I know it may be on the high end for the goldfish, but they don't seem fazed. I am also planning to get some mates for the Danio once I stabilised my Betta.

 

[ImACoolguy]

Nitrite is very toxic. It's uncommon for it to appear in a cycled tank with so frequent water changes. Suggesting your tank isn't cycled fully.. Keep up wth the water changes.


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[sukaiz]

Nitrite is very toxic. It's uncommon for it to appear in a cycled tank with so frequent water changes. Suggesting your tank isn't cycled fully.. Keep up wth the water changes.

Yes thank you, will definitely keep changing the water until the tank is cycled.

Does he look sick or is it mainly due to the uncycled tank?

 

[ImACoolguy]

It's hard to tell. Especially on bettas with dark faces like that. If you notice any odd behavior like gasping at the top, red on gills, bumps, scrapes etc then you could have a problem.


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[sukaiz]

It's hard to tell. Especially on bettas with dark faces like that. If you notice any odd behavior like gasping at the top, red on gills, bumps, scrapes etc then you could have a problem.

Fair enough. Well he doesn't seem to be gasping for air, just normally popping up to the top to breathe occasionally and I cannot see any red on his gills nor bumps nor scrapes. I was initially worried about something fungal, but again that's why I am here.

Thanks again.

 

[ImACoolguy]

Fair enough. Well he doesn't seem to be gasping for air, just normally popping up to the top to breathe occasionally and I cannot see any red on his gills nor bumps nor scrapes. I was initially worried about something fungal, but again that's why I am here.

Thanks again.

If you can't see any physical signs or odd behavior I wouldn't worry about it.


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[sukaiz]

Hi All,

Do Bettas develop colours as they grow or from environmental changes? Similar to the beginning of this thread, I was worried that my Betta was sick but he doesn't seem to be exhibiting any "sickly" behaviour, still isn't. But over the two weeks, his head went from a deep purple colour to a dark red. I thought he hurt himself or was sick again but again, no strange behaviour as far as I can tell. Daily water changes and salt treatment have done nothing.

What do you think? He flared up for the camera.

 

[ImACoolguy]

Looks like a healthy boy to me. I have seen certain bettas change color as they age.


Caleb

 

[sukaiz]

Looks like a healthy boy to me. I have seen certain bettas change color as they age.


Caleb

Awesome, thank you for your continued advice. I can stop worrying now.