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Just a quick question about my Betta (Otis). His colour is fading a bit in patches on his body and under his face and I was just wondering if this was normal. His long fins remain normal. I feed him betta pellets and treats plus peas once a week. He's in a 10g (with filter and heater) with 2 cherry barbs and I do 50% water changes every week or so. He's eating well and swimming around a lot. Just wondering if this could be the start of something nasty. I tried to take a picture but it didn't show anything very clearly. Is there anything I could buy to add to the water as a preventative?

tanks for your help.

What colour is he? Is he an older guy? Sometimes with age bettas start to loose colour.

I think he's fairly young as I've only had him a couple of months. He's mainly purple with hints of blue

Does it look just like his colour is morphing or that there is a white coating over the standard colour?

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Sounds like he's just aging. If he's acting normal, and appears healthy. Also, remember that you may never know how long the betta was around before you purchased him.

Nemo

I had a good look last night - there is definitely a white coat on the under side of his head then a few discoloured patches on his body. One of the marks looks like it may be a graze / cut. I'm pretty sure that the two cherry barbs in with him don't hassle him at all. What does the white coat mean? I've been adding a bit extra Stress Coat to his tank hoping that would help his skin. Is there anything else I should add to the tank. I've been enquiring about Aquarium Salt in other threads and it seems a few people add them to betta tanks. Would this be any help?

If its a white coating in patches that is causing him to bleach, i'd suggest something with a bit more strength than salt.

i'd start with pimafix or Multicure.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Thanks Callatya. I'll get some over the weekend. Would you mind explaining what you think the white colouring is?

cheers

The slime coat going opaque is not a good thing. It is usually indicative of an infection.

If he is actually losing colour under his scales, thas worse, as it means the infection is under there and affecting the area where the colour cells are.

Its very hard to get rid on an infection that is under the scales as the medications in the water don't really reach it too well. You can try antibiotic food, but its not available to buy and its a hassle to make up.

If you catch it early on, the stuff in the water hasa good chance.


without seeing him, it sounds like he has either been a bit bullied or stressed, and he has managed to get some sort of bacterial skin infection which is causing him to look discoloured.

Have a look at his eyes too, see if they are clear or cloudy.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

oh dear. There were some cherry barbs nipping on his fins a few weeks ago but we moved them out of the tank. I might move the other two and get some of that stuff this weekend and see how it goes. Thanks for your advice.