Can betta's get velvet?

Question

Mine looks like it has velvet, it's belly has gone a white-ish colour, and is swolen as well.

(for those of you who do not know what velvet is, it's a disease that oscars get)

Answer 1

A betta with velvet will become lethargic and usually lay on the bottom of the tank. They clamp their fins and are not crazy about their food, like they should be, and often stop eating altogether. Grey or gold patches will appear on them, as the algae that causes it is usually of that colour. If a flashlight is shone on the fish, it will look like it has a dull, light-brown fuzz over it, this is the appaearance of the algae itself.

Cure: Must be treated QUICKLY. It attacks the gills first, and is therefore in a serious stage at the point of detection. Salt will almost always eliminate the infection, 1 teaspoon per gallon usually works, and bettas can withstand higher. (More on salt) For more tenacious infections, copper-based meds work well, I reccomend Had-a-Snail. Malachite green will work, but that's harsh stuff. Aquarisol will work, as well as Acraflavin, but Acraflavin can sterilize bettas. Completely darkening the tank can kill the velvet slowly, as it is an algae and needs to metabolize light. This will only slowly starve it though, and should only be used to supplement medication.

Answer 2

yes they can, and quite often do.
if your betta has velvet id sugest you change its water and add a small amount of salt to the water, and if the water temp is cold try heating the water of putting it in a warmer place