Identify Illness In Betta

Hello, I was wondering if anyone could me identify what's wrong with my betta. I've kept fish for years but this is the first betta I've kept so I'm not sure what their clamped fins look like and what not. I got my betta a couple of weeks ago (his tank has been cycled before that) and he's in a 5 gallon tank with a sponge filter and heater. His parameters are okay. He been flashing, eating but not much and he doesn't seem to be lethargic. I was just wondering if someone could look at his picture and see if you can see anything wrong that I can't. Thanks so much!!!

 

He's flashing? He looks fine to me... how often does he flash? Is it possible he just has microbubbles on him that are making him itchy?

 

He's flashing? He looks fine to me... how often does he flash? Is it possible he just has microbubbles on him that are making him itchy?

Yeah he's flashing and honestly he's just started doing it today. It's totally possible about the micro bubbles. I've never heard of them but I'll research it. Thank you SO much!!!

 

It could also just be poor water quality, so be sure to test your water.

 

Nice fish like June said check your parameters it will rule out any problems there.

 

This looks serious to me, and he's also clamping his fins. I would immediately do a 50% water change and vacuum. Then 20% water changes daily. What is the temp?

 

This looks serious to me, and he's also clamping his fins. I would immediately do a 50% water change and vacuum. Then 20% water changes daily. What is the temp?

I do 50% water changes every other day. This thing he's doing has just started and it's not constant. He's temp is 80 degrees. My question how can you tell he's clamping and not just droopy from his long fins? When he's swimming around he's fins and tail are splayed normally. I'm just curious.

 

Clamping starts as you describe with the fins opening up at times. It can progress to being so clamped they look glued down. I have a female with this for about 5 days and yesterday I noticed a hint of gold dusting which indicates velvet disease....common in bettas. My other girls are responding to DWCs and increased aeration but this one is not. I'm going to resolve to meds.....copper safe....to try as remedy.

 

Clamping starts as you describe with the fins opening up at times. It can progress to being so clamped they look glued down. I have a female with this for about 5 days and yesterday I noticed a hint of gold dusting which indicates velvet disease....common in bettas. My other girls are responding to DWCs and increased aeration but this one is not. I'm going to resolve to meds.....copper safe....to try as remedy.

Oh I'm so sorry about your babies. I hope your one does okay. My other fish are very easy for me to tell if something is wrong with the clamped fins. I also have a female betta that is also easy to tell it was just hard for me to really tell on the male with his long fins. I'm really sorry I'm just so particular because he was a rescue and I feel so bad if there's something wrong and I can't tell. Thank you so much!!

 

Hi, how can I tell he has clamped fins? Of course this is just my opinion - unless a Betta is turbo swimming mid stream, the fins will still flow and the dorsal will not fully clamp down. Also, the fins should open fully at rest, at all times. I'm also concerned about the white patches on his body, you mentioned he's flashing and not eating as much. What are your plans?

 

Hi, how can I tell he has clamped fins? Of course this is just my opinion - unless a Betta is turbo swimming mid stream, the fins will still flow and the dorsal will not fully clamp down. Also, the fins should open fully at rest, at all times. I'm also concerned about the white patches on his body, you mentioned he's flashing and not eating as much. What are your plans?

I'm treating him for parasites with general cure and see if there's any change and then I'll go from there. Here's a picture of him normally.

 

His fins look great in this pic. Hopefully General Cure will do the trick, how long has he been on it, are you seeing any improvement?

 

His fins look great in this pic. Hopefully General Cure will do the trick, how long has he been on it, are you seeing any improvement?

That's why I was confused about the clamping. The one I took last night was after he was flashing but he looks fine other than that. I actually just started it today (I wanted to start it last night but the stores were closed when I discovered it.) and so far he's normal. His fins are flowing and he's active. I'm sorry I was probably being ridiculous but I hate not knowing if a fish is sick or not.

 

You're not being ridiculous, these are our pets and we care very much about them.

 

You're not being ridiculous, these are our pets and we care very much about them.

Thank you SO much for your help! I really appreciate it!!