Betta Going Blind?

Hi!

I was wondering if someone could take a look at these pictures and tell me if my betta's scales will eventually grow over his eyes. I noticed that his eyes are partially covered by his scales at the moment (at least I think they are). I know that this is known to happen to dragon scale bettas, and I'm honestly not sure if he'd be considered a dragon scale or not. I just want to know so I can start prepping him for the future so he doesn't have trouble finding food.

-- additional info

He's about a year old, lives in a planted, filtered, and heated 9 gallon tank. He doesn't show any signs of impaired vision at this point and is just as active as always. Also, yes, I know he has some fin damage. He had that when I got him and his fins are regrowing now.






Thanks for the help!!

 

Hi.
It does appear that your betta has some form of diamond eye, primarily in the left eye. I wouldn't worry about the little bit in the right eye.
I've found diamond eye to be very slow moving, and honestly not too much to worry about, especially because it looks like it may only become severe in one eye.
If you are overly concerned, the main problem with blindness in fish is eating. If you want, you can make a little floating square out of several different things, even just some plastic straws put together. You can tap on the lid or side of the tank to signal feeding, then place food inside the square. As long as the square remains in the same place, your betta will always know where to find food.
Personally I don't think that's necessary in your case, but really blind fish can live for a long time in captivity

 

His left eye is halfway covered meaning it has a chance to completely cover it. His right eye still seems fine and he could continue to use that eye to find food. There doesn't seem to be scales growing over them yet, there's a chance no scales will grow over them and that scales will grow over them. It's unpredictable. But yes he's a dragonscale betta.

 

Hi.
It does appear that your betta has some form of diamond eye, primarily in the left eye. I wouldn't worry about the little bit in the right eye.
I've found diamond eye to be very slow moving, and honestly not too much to worry about, especially because it looks like it may only become severe in one eye.
If you are overly concerned, the main problem with blindness in fish is eating. If you want, you can make a little floating square out of several different things, even just some plastic straws put together. You can tap on the lid or side of the tank to signal feeding, then place food inside the square. As long as the square remains in the same place, your betta will always know where to find food.
Personally I don't think that's necessary in your case, but really blind fish can live for a long time in captivity

Okay, that's a relief. Thank you so much for the info and advise!

His left eye is halfway covered meaning it has a chance to completely cover it. His right eye still seems fine and he could continue to use that eye to find food. There doesn't seem to be scales growing over them yet, there's a chance no scales will grow over them and that scales will grow over them. It's unpredictable. But yes he's a dragonscale betta.

Okay, thank you so much for the info! Haha, I figured he was a dragon scale but wasn't sure. Thanks for clearing that up

 

If he's lunging at his food and missing his eyesight is failing. Happened to my fish who aren't dragons or coppers.
They can still find food as they can smell it.

 

If he's lunging at his food and missing his eyesight is failing. Happened to my fish who aren't dragons or coppers.
They can still find food as they can smell it.

He hasn't been doing that yet, but I'll keep an eye out for it. Thanks!

 

I really wouldn't worry much. I was watching one that had a little more progression than yours did in the left eye, except in both eyes, and it's been about 5 months and if it has progressed, it's minimal. It was moving quickly for a few days at the start, then it ended up moving extremely slowly for the past few months. I think the betta has a few more years before he becomes blind