Beta Gills Clear Black?

I have notice my bettas gills have been a clear black, he is active as usuall and except for the ocasional fit of him eating too much and some times taking bites of algae wafers hes always around and active is this something to worry about? doesn't look like anything I have seen before. His was is a solid 0 ammonia,0nitrate and 0 nitrites planted 5 gallon tank with sponge filter, change water 1 to 2 times a week.

any input is appreciated.

 

If you mean you've noticed black in his gills this is normal. That's his beard.

However, he doesn't look all that chipper. He may have a bit of fin rot, which could probably be improved with partial water changes every other day.

 

Why are algae wafers going into his tank? He's bloated... badly.

 

originally I placed 1 in when he was in a 10 gallon with a bristle nose, I stoped feeding him for a week then would feed him one betta pellet every other day but he keeps bloating up like that once a week, could he be eating snails? I'm not sure, his fins look clean my glass has some algae growing on it that looks like white specs. last 3 days I have been doing 20 % wc daily to see if it would help. should I change his food? I feed another betta I have the same amount and he looks fine

 

 

I think his fins look fine. Crowntails get twisted and broken rays all the time, and his fins are plenty long.

Bettas are terrible overeaters, so be careful not to put too much food in the tank. I've had two females in two months suicide themselves on catfish pellets they shouldn't even be able to swallow.

Is he still in with the BN? (side note: BNs need a larger tank) And, what kind of food is he getting?

 

Right now hes in a 5 gallon by himself, the bristlenose is in a 29g. I am feeding him 1 aqueon betta pellet every 2-3 days and once a week a piece of pea that's smaller than tge pellet

 

I would stop with the pea, for starters, unless you really are convinced it's helping in some way.

Have you tried feeding him live/frozen foods? Aqueon pellets are okay, but not the best. Omega one and NLS foods seem to work great for my bettas. I've also used assorted shrimp pellets. Though I find flakes are easiest for them to eat and swallow.

 

I started the pea when I started seeing the bloating and it cleared it up but if the omega one works Ill give it a shot, sometimes I give him frozen bloodworms, with the omega one do I just crush the flakes? what ever helps him with the bloating I am game for .

 

I think his fins look fine. Crowntails get twisted and broken rays all the time, and his fins are plenty long.

Bettas are terrible overeaters, so be careful not to put too much food in the tank. I've had two females in two months suicide themselves on catfish pellets they shouldn't even be able to swallow.

Is he still in with the BN? (side note: BNs need a larger tank) And, what kind of food is he getting?

I agree. His fins are fine. When I said it looked like fin rot I didn't realize he was a Crown Tail. D'oh!

 

I started the pea when I started seeing the bloating and it cleared it up but if the omega one works Ill give it a shot, sometimes I give him frozen bloodworms, with the omega one do I just crush the flakes? what ever helps him with the bloating I am game for .

I crush my flakes, but you don't have to. Flakes soften quickly, allowing the betta to eat them right away rather than the chew and spit routine that many bettas seem to adopt with pellets.

 

I crush my flakes, but you don't have to. Flakes soften quickly, allowing the betta to eat them right away rather than the chew and spit routine that many bettas seem to adopt with pellets.

I tried giving him some of my tetraflakes I feed my neon tetras today and he seems a lot better I'm getting some omega food next check! thanks