Betta rubbed off the scales around one side of his head and gills

I am a college student and I just got home from college to find that while my betta was in my sister’s care, he had rubbed off the scales around one side of his head and gills. The picture shows the damage. The other side of his head and gills look totally normal.

I don’t know what’s going on. I’ve been doing extra water changes since I got home and trying to help him somehow. He’s lived in the same tank with the same decorations for about 5 years with no change, and he is about 6-7 years old. So I believe he is older for a betta as well, but I want to try to help him!

I’ve tested water levels and everything was normal. Ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, hardness, and pH were all normal/optimal levels for a betta. He has a heater and a filter in his tank that are both working normally.

Please help?!?! What can I do to help him?

 

I have had that happen to me. The betta is dying because of age, there isn't much you can do if they are dying of age.

 

^ I second that, just try to make sure he is as comfortable as possible - it’s quite sad when that happens but at least you know you’ve helped him live a long and happy life!!

 

I’m in a similar situation as my elderly betta has found himself injured pretty severely. And I’ve decided to treat him since I believe he’s still got some fight left in him. Your betta is up in age as well so treatment could be quite harsh on him. Is he showing any behavioral changes? Does he have any other symptoms besides the missing scales?

 

I’m in a similar situation as my elderly betta has found himself injured pretty severely. And I’ve decided to treat him since I believe he’s still got some fight left in him. Your betta is up in age as well so treatment could be quite harsh on him. Is he showing any behavioral changes? Does he have any other symptoms besides the missing scales?

I hope your betta recovers! I totally get my guy is old and that may just be what it is, but I’d like to try if I can. I haven’t noticed any behavioral changes, he still swims around normally, gets excited for food, etc. - EXCEPT he doesn’t fan out his fins as much, they’re more clamped.

I have Furan-2 for treating bacterial infections that I had used with my neon tetras before. Do you know by any chance if a light dose of this could potentially help him in case it’s a bacterial issue? Or do you think it would be safer not to treat with that if I’m not sure what it is? When I tried looking up other people’s posts who were having the same issue, I noticed people saying bacteria could be an issue.

 

I hope your betta recovers! I totally get my guy is old and that may just be what it is, but I’d like to try if I can. I haven’t noticed any behavioral changes, he still swims around normally, gets excited for food, etc. - EXCEPT he doesn’t fan out his fins as much, they’re more clamped.

I have Furan-2 for treating bacterial infections that I had used with my neon tetras before. Do you know by any chance if a light dose of this could potentially help him in case it’s a bacterial issue? Or do you think it would be safer not to treat with that if I’m not sure what it is? When I tried looking up other people’s posts who were having the same issue, I noticed people saying bacteria could be an issue.

What size tank is he in and are there any other inhabitants in there? It’d be helpful if you could fill out the Fish Emergency Template as any and all information is helpful. I wouldn’t recommend jumping straight to meds as they can be quite harsh on the older bettas.

 

What size tank is he in and are there any other inhabitants in there? It’d be helpful if you could fill out the Fish Emergency Template as any and all information is helpful. I wouldn’t recommend jumping straight to meds as they can be quite harsh on the older bettas.

Do you know where I can find the fish emergency template? So sorry, I’m new to the site and don’t really know where that is.

To answer your specific questions, he’s in a 3.5 gallon and he’s the only fish in there. I have a school of neons but they are in a separate bigger tank.

Will definitely share the fish emergency template as well when I find it!

 

Do you know where I can find the fish emergency template? So sorry, I’m new to the site and don’t really know where that is.

To answer your specific questions, he’s in a 3.5 gallon and he’s the only fish in there. I have a school of neons but they are in a separate bigger tank.

Will definitely share the fish emergency template as well when I find it!

Click on the link in the post. It will bring you right to the emergency template. For now, no, please don't use medications on him. Meds are hard on organs when they metabolize and excrete through liver and kidneys (just like us humans) and an old guy like him, his organs aren't as strong as a younger fish. I would think with his age and condition, his best bet is regular water changes so it doesn't get infected and wait it out. The scales might grow back if no secondary infection gets in. Or it could just be his time. You can also add something like tannins or stress guard to help since his fins are a bit clamped, showing some stress.

 

I hope you’re right and you can help the little guy. I would also add that when I’ve had older beta fish that are poorly they like to hang out near the surface - have you got any taller plants that grow up to the top that he can hang out on if needed? I once saw someone use a plastic floating tube near the top that their fish could hang out in if he was tired. Just because if your oxygen levels drop for any reason and he doesn’t have the energy to swim to the top for air that could be a disaster!

I hope you can work it out, I can’t advise on meds but it seems like UnkownUser knows his stuff so let us know when you’ve done that sheet!

 

I hope you’re right and you can help the little guy. I would also add that when I’ve had older beta fish that are poorly they like to hang out near the surface - have you got any taller plants that grow up to the top that he can hang out on if needed? I once saw someone use a plastic floating tube near the top that their fish could hang out in if he was tired. Just because if your oxygen levels drop for any reason and he doesn’t have the energy to swim to the top for air that could be a disaster!

I hope you can work it out, I can’t advise on meds but it seems like UnkownUser knows his stuff so let us know when you’ve done that sheet!

Yes my past betta liked to do this when he was very old (about 5).

I would remove any sharper plants that you have that he could rub against. Fish who develop a skin condition may also rub, so it's important to take out anything that could irritate your buddy. For medicinal advice, I would heed someone else's advice. I usually use short term regiments on the tank for skin and fin issues, but I feel that could be even more detrimental since your fish is so old.