Betta getting old?

Question

How do you know your Betta is getting old? Mine is starting to loose the black in his mask and is forming like.. two white stripes on either side of his head starting from where his eyes are to his fins..

Also, hes lowing some coloration on his bottom fin. Usually, in the light you can see his bright red undertone (he was a cheap pet store betta) but now its a transluscent pink-ish.

So im thinking hes either getting old, getting sick or turning into a female Lol.

Any suggestions?

Picture:
http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b125/anorexorcist99/?action=view¤t=betta.jpg

Ignore the blue color, they were different cameras and the 'after' picture was taken with flahs so that you could see the white lines.

I got my betta from Petsmart when it was at a descent size so im assuming it was already a year old or more. Ive had him for about 6 months to a year.

Answer 1

I figure bettas are about 6-9 months old when the pet store gets them, so that would put yours at around 1-1 3/4 years old. Bettas can live up to five years in good conditions (the record is over 9), although some only live 2-3. Some color change is normal as they age. At least the scales on the back part of the fish still appear bright and still have their shine. If he were completely dull, that's a sign of stress or poor health. And they don't change to females, so I'd chalk this up as age-related.

I do notice some cyanobacteria (blue-green "algae") on the gravel in his tank, though. So you might have a small problem with nutrients in the water. Since this is a bacteria, rather than an algae, traditional algae cures won't always work. I would encourage you to keep up the water changes, and possibly check your water source for nitrates or phosphates, or add a phosphate absorbing pad to the tank filter.

Beyond water changes, make sure he's at a good temperature (76-86o), and has a varied diet for good nutrition. Betta pellets are a good staple food, but I also add some frozen bloodworms, frozen daphnia, and live mosquito larvae from a rain barrel to the diet of mine.

Answer 2

Many different fish species will have mild to wild color changes as they mature. Bettas can live for up to 5 years, and they are usually about 6 months old in the store, so your fish is still a youngster. If it is eating and you are changing his water frequently, then stop worrying.

Answer 3

betta only live for about 2-3 years. Mine is starting to get a white area on his gill line too. He was an adult when I got him, and I have had him about the same length of time you had yours.

Answer 4

They start to lose their color. I have a betta that is almost two years old believe it or not. He started losing his color about 6 months ago. It also depends on what you feed them.