Betta With Large Injury?

I bought a Betta yesterday, it was a spontaneous thing. I found this gorgeous half moon with a little white patch on his head so I bought him. Welllll..... the white patch seems to have no scales and it looks like an injury. There were no scales in his cup and he doesn’t seem sick or injured. He’s currently in a small critter carrier while his tank clears up and will definitely be able to be moved into his 3.5 by tonight. He is not acting lethargic and is eating well, although he is swimming slowly. His colors are very vibrant too. I’m not sure if I should be concerned, the injury seems quite old.

 

Welcome to FishLore!

My betta has a similar (albeit smaller) patch, I wouldn't be concerned. I suggest reading up on the nitrogen cycle and tank maintenance if you are a newbie to fishkeeping.

 

Welcome to FishLore!

My betta has a similar (albeit smaller) patch, I wouldn't be concerned. I suggest reading up on the nitrogen cycle and tank maintenance if you are a newbie to fishkeeping.

Thank you! I’ve owned about 4 Betta fish before, I feel bad for getting him so suddenly but I couldn’t resist.

 

View attachment 391125 View attachment 391126 I bought a Betta yesterday, it was a spontaneous thing. I found this gorgeous half moon with a little white patch on his head so I bought him. Welllll..... the white patch seems to have no scales and it looks like an injury. There were no scales in his cup and he doesn’t seem sick or injured. He’s currently in a small critter carrier while his tank clears up and will definitely be able to be moved into his 3.5 by tonight. He is not acting lethargic and is eating well, although he is swimming slowly. His colors are very vibrant too. I’m not sure if I should be concerned, the injury seems quite old.

he may have a fungal Infection causing the white patch. Another possibility is Columnaris which cause a saddle like shape above the head. Can I have some more details on the tank? How big is it? What are your parameters? Is the tank cycled?

 

he may have a fungal Infection causing the white patch. Another possibility is Columnaris which cause a saddle like shape above the head. Can I have some more details on the tank? How big is it? What are your parameters? Is the tank cycled?

He’s in a minI critter keeper right now (7.1X4.4X5.2 in.) the tank he’s going to be moved to was previously cycled but I added a new filter cartridge and changed the water so I don’t really know. it’s the Marineland 3 Gallon silhouette glass aquarium (it doesn’t specify). I don’t have any parameters, I have to buy testing sticks today.
The patch doesn’t look fuzzy or anything, he looks perfectly fine besides it. I thought it was hiscoloring at first. Oops!

 

He’s in a minI critter keeper right now (7.1X4.4X5.2 in.) the tank he’s going to be moved to was previously cycled but I added a new filter cartridge and changed the water so I don’t really know. it’s the Marineland 3 Gallon silhouette glass aquarium (it doesn’t specify). I don’t have any parameters, I have to buy testing sticks today.
The patch doesn’t look fuzzy or anything, he looks perfectly fine besides it. I thought it was hiscoloring at first. Oops!

I’d keep him in the small tank for a week or two and watch that white patch while the bigger tank cycles. white patches don’t need to be fuzzy in order to be an infection. Some fungus clear should help but if you don’t want to be too hasty some BettaZing would be a start

 

I’d keep him in the small tank for a week or two and watch that white patch while the bigger tank cycles. white patches don’t need to be fuzzy in order to be an infection. Some fungus clear should help but if you don’t want to be too hasty some BettaZing would be a start

Thank you! Do you think it would be safe to put a 10w heater in the small tank? I don’t want him to freeze to death.

 

Thank you! Do you think it would be safe to put a 10w heater in the small tank? I don’t want him to freeze to death.

A heater in a tank that small is a bad idea...just keep him in a warm area away from the ac vents. Try to keep your house a steady 75 degrees Fahrenheit to slow the bacterial development( he will be fine). Put in a thermometer just Incase so you can track his water temperature. Try the fungus clear first or ampicillin, if you see no improvement start dosing for Columnaris which is furan-2 and kanaplex, the quicker you treat it the better. Columnaris is known for that pattern on his back so you may want to just skip to options number two. Columnaris is quick and seriously fatal for fish. Good luck