Is My Betta Okay?

[Npiche3]

Help
I had to travel so I feed my Betta 7 day time release feeding block. I came home after 5 days and he seemed to changed color. I left for another 5 days with a new feeding block. I had 2 ghost shrimps in the 2.5 gallon tank. This time when I came home the color change is remarkable. All the blue is now white, his red is still red. I added some photos and it does not look like the same fish at all. The 2 shrimps are missing. I had me water tested and it is Okay. The only recommendation is to do a 20% water change instead of my regular 10%.

Is my Betta OKAY? Is the color change normal? Will he get his blue color back or will he stay white and red? Or will he changed to new colors?

Sorry for all the questions but this is my second Betta. My first one lasted only 2 months, I really want to do better for this guy.

Nicole

 

[Crispii]

It's normal for certain strains to change colors.

 

[jdhef]

Welcome to FishLore!

Can you provide the actual ammonia, nitrite and nitrate values. "Okay" means different things to different people.

It is recommended not to use feeding blocks. They tend to feel the water and raise the ammonia levels.

I have to say that in the picture, the betta doesn't look to happy, and I suspect there may be some water quality issues.

Best of luck

 

[LagerthaM]

First and foremost, we need exact parameters so that we can rule some possible illnesses or causes out. Has his behavior changed? Is he acting sluggish or like he is having a hard time breathing? Some bettas do marble (change colors) because of a gene they possess, but it is NEVER that rapid it usually takes months for that much of a color change. I think it is safe to say that your water quality may be the cause of his rapid decoloration, but going of the information so far I don't think the situation is too serious yet. Block feeders usually do more harm than good and can mess up your water quality because uneaten food will sink to the bottom of your tank and release ammonia, which is toxic to fish. Bettas can go up to 2 weeks without eating so its best to just fast them while you are on vacation. I think that this entire situation is reversible and that your little guy has a good chance at going back to normal, though I can't say how that will reflect in his coloration. My recommendation is to vacuum your substrate to get any of the old food out and to do daily water changes of 25%-50% for the next few days or until you see any changes.

 

[barbmiester]

I think it is breeding

 

[LagerthaM]

I think it is breeding

You're right. He could have the marble gene because of breeding, but even so, I think the color change is way too quick.

 

[AquaCaitlin]

Generally I don’t use feeding blocks, but I see how in this situation it couldn’t be avoided. Like others are asking, do you have the exact water parameters. The color change seems to be happening much faster then is normal, I would definitely think something is off

 

[Npiche3]

Welcome to FishLore!

Can you provide the actual ammonia, nitrite and nitrate values. "Okay" means different things to different people.

It is recommended not to use feeding blocks. They tend to feel the water and raise the ammonia levels.

I have to say that in the picture, the betta doesn't look to happy, and I suspect there may be some water quality issues.

Best of luck

The pet store did not give me the numbers. Are the little test strip accurate? If so I will get some on Tues

First and foremost, we need exact parameters so that we can rule some possible illnesses or causes out. Has his behavior changed? Is he acting sluggish or like he is having a hard time breathing? Some bettas do marble (change colors) because of a gene they possess, but it is NEVER that rapid it usually takes months for that much of a color change. I think it is safe to say that your water quality may be the cause of his rapid decoloration, but going of the information so far I don't think the situation is too serious yet. Block feeders usually do more harm than good and can mess up your water quality because uneaten food will sink to the bottom of your tank and release ammonia, which is toxic to fish. Bettas can go up to 2 weeks without eating so its best to just fast them while you are on vacation. I think that this entire situation is reversible and that your little guy has a good chance at going back to normal, though I can't say how that will reflect in his coloration. My recommendation is to vacuum your substrate to get any of the old food out and to do daily water changes of 25%-50% for the next few days or until you see any changes.

Thanks I will do the daily water change and get an exact water numbers on Tuesday.

 

[LagerthaM]

The pet store did not give me the numbers. Are the little test strip accurate? If so I will get some on Tues

Test strips are not as accurate as liquid test kits.

 

[Npiche3]

My Betta use to make bubbles (nest) but he has not done it since the color change. He seems to be acting a little sluggish also.
I will get the exact water numbers on Tuesday.
Are the little strip kits accurate?

Thanks everyone
Nicole

 

[jdhef]

The test strips are notorious for being inaccurate. Do yourself a favor and invest in an API Master Test Kit for Freshwater. Because let's face it, if you can't trust your test results why bother testing

 

[Npiche3]

Yesterday I did a 20% water change and I removed the snail. Today my Betta is blowing bubbles and is not sluggish. Could the snail being in his tank of been the problem? I will still get the water testing kit when the stores are open tomorrow.
Thanks everyone!
Nicole

 

[Guanchy]

The snail in there was not the problem, your water parameters most likely is the problem. Like suggested above invest in a API water test kit. The color change in the betta is normal, bettas with the marble gene do this. If you don't keep your betta in a cycled tank, you are going to constantly run into a lot of problems.

 

[AquaCaitlin]

Bubble nest is a good sign!
Once your water is checked you should be good to go. The snail will not cause a problem, and I hope all turns out great!

 

[barbmiester]

betta fish only use the bubble nest when they are breeding

 

[aoiumi]

Salem CheshireKat

 

[LagerthaM]

betta fish only use the bubble nest when they are breeding

Yes, but they make them even when they are not breeding.

 

[Salem]

That fast of a colour change is definitely uncommon but not completely unheard of. I've actually seen a betta's entire tail change colour in under 2 days. The blue may come back but it also may not- assuming it is marbling he will likely continue to change every so often.
As far as the brief change in behaviour goes I agree with other people suggesting its from water parameters. The snail technically could have a bit to do with it- it may have pushed the ammonia up. I think your shrimp were likely eaten or killed by him which also could have raised ammonia.
The bubble nest coming back and him being less sluggish is a very good indicator that he's feeling better. Being able to keep track of parameters more accurately with the kit will definitely help. I like to keep a journal and write down whenever I do a water change and test the water and keep track of results and changes- that may be a good idea for you too.

 

[AquaCaitlin]

betta fish only use the bubble nest when they are breeding

Actually, no. They use them when they are happy. The nests actually mean that the betta thinks it would be a good place to breed. And if it thinks it good enough to breed in then it must really like it

 

[aoiumi]

Actually, no. They use them when they are happy. The nests actually mean that the betta thinks it would be a good place to breed. And if it thinks it good enough to breed in then it must really like it

no... bettas can be next to death and still making bubble nests...

 

[Guanchy]

Actually, no. They use them when they are happy. The nests actually mean that the betta thinks it would be a good place to breed. And if it thinks it good enough to breed in then it must really like it

a bubble nest is not always a sign that your betta is happy. I have seen bettas with bubble nest even in really crappy environments. I can see some at Petco with a bubble nest on those little cups.

 

[pagoda]

Totally different tangent here.....what temp is the water?

Reason for asking is the huge amount of condensation above the bubblenest and waterline in post #12

That seems to be a heck of a lot of condensation for an average temp aquarium. Mine have only done that in the past when I have been treating fish for ich or other illness requiring the temps to be bumped up

The colour change "could" be stress related if the temp of the water is too high or increased for any reason. Heaters wrongly set, leaving lights on too much - even LED will warm the water after a time.....maybe barking up the wrong tree but that water looks too warm for the fish

 

[Npiche3]

That fast of a colour change is definitely uncommon but not completely unheard of. I've actually seen a betta's entire tail change colour in under 2 days. The blue may come back but it also may not- assuming it is marbling he will likely continue to change every so often.
As far as the brief change in behaviour goes I agree with other people suggesting its from water parameters. The snail technically could have a bit to do with it- it may have pushed the ammonia up. I think your shrimp were likely eaten or killed by him which also could have raised ammonia.
The bubble nest coming back and him being less sluggish is a very good indicator that he's feeling better. Being able to keep track of parameters more accurately with the kit will definitely help. I like to keep a journal and write down whenever I do a water change and test the water and keep track of results and changes- that may be a good idea for you too.

That fast of a colour change is definitely uncommon but not completely unheard of. I've actually seen a betta's entire tail change colour in under 2 days. The blue may come back but it also may not- assuming it is marbling he will likely continue to change every so often.
As far as the brief change in behaviour goes I agree with other people suggesting its from water parameters. The snail technically could have a bit to do with it- it may have pushed the ammonia up. I think your shrimp were likely eaten or killed by him which also could have raised ammonia.
The bubble nest coming back and him being less sluggish is a very good indicator that he's feeling better. Being able to keep track of parameters more accurately with the kit will definitely help. I like to keep a journal and write down whenever I do a water change and test the water and keep track of results and changes- that may be a good idea for you too.

Thanks I will be keeping a journal of test results. Got my kit today:
PH 7.2
Ammonia .25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20

Totally different tangent here.....what temp is the water?

Reason for asking is the huge amount of condensation above the bubblenest and waterline in post #12

That seems to be a heck of a lot of condensation for an average temp aquarium. Mine have only done that in the past when I have been treating fish for ich or other illness requiring the temps to be bumped up

The colour change "could" be stress related if the temp of the water is too high or increased for any reason. Heaters wrongly set, leaving lights on too much - even LED will warm the water after a time.....maybe barking up the wrong tree but that water looks too warm for the fish

The temp is 80 F

 

[H Farnsworth]

Based on your numbers, and assuming you’ve done water changes since the issue started, the problem was water quality.
Ammonia is currently in the safe zone and so are nitrates but I imagine initially they were not.
Temp is good.
Just keep changing the water out.

 

[Salem]

Oh it could be the .25 ammonia that altered his behaviour

 

[H Farnsworth]

I’m guessing ammonia was higher a few days ago

 

[Guanchy]

Good job on getting the kit! It will save you a lot of headaches!

 

[LiamHartwick]

Making bubble nests are an instinct, doesn’t really show if the water parameters are good or not. Good luck!