I've had this betta fish for about a week. When I first got him, his fins were dull, and as he's grown, and been eating the food, the colors in the fins have started to brighten up. I woke up this morning, and went to feed him, and I noticed dark (almost black) spots on his top fin. He seems fine and healthy. I don't know if he's sick, or if this is natural. Is it possible to just have dark spots on the fins?
2007-02-21 02:04:33 · 6 answers · asked by Annette T 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
It could very well be part of his natural coloration that wasn't showing before. It is also possible that it's a disease, but quite unlikely. What the area carefully for any spreading of the dark areas and especially for holes or splits in the fin.
MM
2007-02-21 02:13:04 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
First- how old is your betta? They live an average of 1.5 years- from the time you buy them in a store. In a filtered tank of at least 1 gal- you might have him around for 2 years. Older than that is rare. Betta are 9 months old when they reach the pet store. When betta start getting a fat stomach- sadly this most often is a bone like growth that will eventually cause them to die. You can tell this is what it is by seeing if the swelling is off center- to one side or another. They can survive with this growth happening for maybe 6 months. I don't know of any cure. Frayed fins usually indicate he's getting old. Use Melafix antibacterial in his water- Make sure he has very clean water- Watch to see if he has a hard time reaching the surface- lower the water level right down to 3" and have plants he can prop himself up on. In his last days- you may choose to lower the water down to just an inch- so he need only raise his head to reach the top to breath. If you believe he is suffering- there is the option of easing his passing- place him in a 3" tupperware half full of water- place in the freezer. The cold will cause him to sleep- and he will freeze and no longer suffer. I've done this with other fish- but it was too hard to let my own fighting fishes go this way- even tho it would have been better for them. The will usually choose to die when you leave the room. Even for a just a minute. Good luck.
2016-03-29 05:34:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it's not ich as that is salt grain sized spots. I had a white female who developed the cutest black spots on her fins. (Yes it freaked me out at 1st until I realized they were on the same spot on both fins.) It's very common with betta for them fade when stress, and poorly fed. Then develop incredible colors in days, or weeks.
I'd worry if the texture of the area has changed, and the spots are non symmetrical. Also check the betta talk fungus, and velvet descriptions.
2007-02-21 07:53:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like that's just part of his natural pattern that he's maturing into. I've seen healthy bettas with spotted fins.
2007-02-21 02:07:04 · answer #4 · answered by Bzl1 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The black spots on his fins are normal. My Crowntail betta has tiny black spots all over his dorsal fin.
2007-02-22 08:45:02 · answer #5 · answered by Red_Rose 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like ICK to me, go to the store and buy ick medicine and see if that helps, or look up ick on the internet and see if that is what it is. sorry your fish is sick.
2007-02-21 02:36:48 · answer #6 · answered by kellyjo 4 · 0⤊ 5⤋