New Betta Question

Hello all,

I just picked up a new betta yesterday afternoon and he has some stuff on his eyes that I want some other opinions about before starting any type of medication (if its even needed). I am not sure if its a fungal thing, or cataracts (maybe?) or just something this naturally occurred.

He is in an already established 5 gallon tank set to 78 degrees with parameters all checking out, filter and air stone on opposite side of the tank from the "den", he is super active, and has eaten today with no issues and has happily been exploring his new home all day. The tank had a couple other fish that I moved to my bigger tank a few days ago and gave it a quick vacuum.

Thanks, and here is Nagafen! (+10 points if anyone knows the reference)

p.s. he did come like this, its not anything new hence why I want 2nd, 3rd, etc... opinions if possible.

 

If you zoom into the eye, it looks like he has diamond eyes (snake eye, etc...), it's when scales grow over the eye. It can be treated by using bannana leaves which thin the scales.

 

Is he a dragonscale betta by chance?

 

Is he a dragonscale betta by chance?

yes he is

 

You can see the scale growth starting from the "eyelid" part of the eye and then extending down the cornea.

 

Since I am not sure if I can edit messages, (not seeing a feature too) here is another couple pics. It is quite hard to get him to sit still for a second as he seems to thoroughly enjoy cruising around (I would too if I was in a tiny plastic container and then put in what would be a huge area).

And I am not sure why pictures are turning sideways when uploaded to here... very annoying...

If you zoom into the eye, it looks like he has diamond eyes (snake eye, etc...), it's when scales grow over the eye. It can be treated by using bannana leaves which thin the scales.

Hmm, I am not familiar with banana leaves. I will have to look into that I guess as I don't want it to effect him too much. He seems to be doing ok swimming around but I'd rather try to get rid of them if possible as I assume its impacting his vision somewhat.

 

yes he is

I'm sure it is his scales as Repolie pointed out. It's common for dragonscale bettas is why I asked.

 

Is this something that will keep progressing?

 

It would impact his vision because if his entire eye got cover in scales, he would only see light and shadows. But not too well.

Edit: And yes it will keep progressing.

 

That's a shame what do most people end up doing with these then? Is it even possible for them to live with barely any vision?

 

Is it white or the color of his scales?

 

That's a shame what do most people end up doing with these then? Is it even possible for them to live with barely any vision?

Adding bannana leaves will thin the scales on his eye so he could see. It is possible for them to live with diamond eye, people have train their betta that it's feeding time by associating food with the lights turning on or tapping the lid. He also has his other eye which may never get diamond eye. Feed him by dropping food infront of his good eye so he could see it and eat it.

 

Is it white or the color of his scales?

These are the s I just got... they look somewhat clear to me?

Adding bannana leaves will thin the scales on his eye so he could see. It is possible for them to live with diamond eye, people have train their betta that it's feeding time by associating food with the lights turning on or tapping the lid. He also has his other eye which may never get diamond eye. Feed him by dropping food infront of his good eye so he could see it and eat it.

Both eyes seem to have it a little bit.

I use Eco Complete for my substrate in all my tanks, from what I have just been skimming over about banana leaves, it will thin all his scales. If that's the case should I start swapping out parts of the substrate for something that is less rockyish and more smooth to help the thin scales?

 

First picture of left eye looks like it's just cloudy eyes but the third one of left eye looks like diamond eye. So now he might have 2 separate problems in each eye. Or they're both diamond eyes.

Both eyes seem to have it a little bit.

I use Eco Complete for my substrate in all my tanks, from what I have just been skimming over about banana leaves, it will thin all his scales. If that's the case should I start swapping out parts of the substrate for something that is less rockyish and more smooth to help the thin scales?

I don't see why you would need to swap out the substrate. He should be fine with that substrate. You just need to somehow put banna leaves in his tank.

 

Its very possible yours had/has some sort of eye bacterial infection as well. Dragon eye is an immune response gone wrong. Basically, an infection happens, and the immune response screws up and starts BuI scales over the eye.
Its not a death sentence or anything. One thing that can help a lot is making a little floating food "tray" for example, I siliconed some plastic straws together to make a little square and I suction cupped it to a corner of the tank, and basically the fish knows that's where the food is.

 

Couple more pics both sides

Edit: 1 more pic of the side I haven't been able to really get good (apparently the edit button doesn't appear on my desktop but does on my phone)

Its very possible yours had/has some sort of eye bacterial infection as well. Dragon eye is an immune response gone wrong. Basically, an infection happens, and the immune response screws up and starts BuI scales over the eye.
Its not a death sentence or anything. One thing that can help a lot is making a little floating food "tray" for example, I siliconed some plastic straws together to make a little square and I suction cupped it to a corner of the tank, and basically the fish knows that's where the food is.

I have the aqueon betta pellet that I was letting soak before giving it to him, is there a different type youd suggest or do you use a type of food that lasts longer in the feeding spot before sinking?

 

I have the aqueon betta pellet that I was letting soak before giving it to him, is there a different type youd suggest or do you use a type of food that lasts longer in the feeding spot before sinking?

Honestly, it doesn't matter too much. As long as there is a designated feeding area and feeding cue, it doesn't take more than 10 seconds for him to find the food normally. I'm guilty of feeding them without presoaking, so you're doing a good thing, but it may be interesting for you to time exactly how long it floats before sinking.

 

I don't see why you would need to swap out the substrate. He should be fine with that substrate. You just need to somehow put banna leaves in his tank.

You said something about almond leaves also, what are almond leaves supposed to do for bettas as these types of things I haven't read about.

Also, do the banana leaves just permanently stay in the tank?

 

Is Nagafen from World of Warcraft?

 

Is Nagafen from World of Warcraft?

Close! It is from an MMO (try an MMO from about 12+ years ago that's still being played).

You're thinking of Nefarian from WoW though

 

You said something about almond leaves also, what are almond leaves supposed to do for bettas as these types of things I haven't read about.

Also, do the banana leaves just permanently stay in the tank?

Almond leaves have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and bettas love the dark water from them because they feel safe. I would only use one botanical at a time though. Banana leaves can just be left in the tank until it starts breaking apart.

 

Almond leaves have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and bettas love the dark water from them because they feel safe. I would only use one botanical at a time though. Banana leaves can just be left in the tank until it starts breaking apart.

Probably for the better as my wife has severe nut allergies. Good to know though, thanks! Do you by chance know of a reputable seller of banana leaves?

 

Close! It is from an MMO. You're thinking of Nefarian

No, actually I was thinking of the Naga race in WoW being in the zone Zangarmarsh.

I've been playing WoW since 2005 and still going.

 

No, actually I was thinking of the Naga race in WoW being in the zone Zangarmarsh.

I've been playing WoW since 2005 and still going.

Bout the time I started playing. Nagafen is from original EverQuest. It was one of 2 dragons that were the very first raid bosses. Nagafen was the fire dragon and his mate Vox was the frost dragon.

 

Probably for the better as my wife has severe nut allergies. Good to know though, thanks! Do you by chance know of a reputable seller of banana leaves?

Never needed to buy them, so I don't know. Sorry.

 

Never needed to buy them, so I don't know. Sorry.

No problem, I suppose I should probably take out the cave with only 1 entrance in and out now if Naggy will eventually go fully blind and give him something that has multiple entrances and exits. I think itd stress him out less with more ways out if he lives to be blind. I know it would me.

 

I wouldn't assume he is going to go blind. It may stop at a certain point.

 

I wouldn't assume he is going to go blind. It may stop at a certain point.

true, while this is the first i'm reading about this, I am still not sure if it is inevitable that he will eventually go blind, or if the scaling will stop at some point rather than continue.

 

I have a female betta with diamond eye and its like haveing cataracts. She is able to live her full life, swim and eat. That's what diamond eye starts like. It can stop or cover the entire eye.

 

Since I am not sure if I can edit messages, (not seeing a feature too) here is another couple pics. It is quite hard to get him to sit still for a second as he seems to thoroughly enjoy cruising around (I would too if I was in a tiny plastic container and then put in what would be a huge area).

And I am not sure why pictures are turning sideways when uploaded to here... very annoying...


Hmm, I am not familiar with banana leaves. I will have to look into that I guess as I don't want it to effect him too much. He seems to be doing ok swimming around but I'd rather try to get rid of them if possible as I assume its impacting his vision somewhat.

I have the same kind of betta as you and he has diamond eyes too. You have nothing to worry about.

 

Well he is seems to be an old man and puts himself to bed in his cave around 7pm and is awake and has been responding well to little taps on the glass in the corner ive been feeding him in when I wake up to let the dog out.

 

so there was a tank (yes, not cups) oh baby bettas at my petco! they were a surrender from someone, so the $2 was a donation to store not an actually purchase you could say. anyway, i'm cycling three tanks, but I do have a qt tank I will keep him in until I can move him into 10 gallon divided tank. what meds should I use for qt? I have had 3 rescues but I never medicated them, but he was sporadic in the tank, and he looks iridescent, kinda gold, so can I treat him for some prevention or if he has anything? what meds? he will be getting daily changes in his tank, bloodworms, and bug bites. spoiled boy!

his name is mystery since it could be a girl or boy, don't know his tail type, or coloring!

 

Wow he's gorgeous!

I wouldn't use any medication unless you find he has a specific illness.

 

I love the coloring on him! Make sure to keep us updated

 

Oh my. It’s like the world is trying to make me get another betta. No, heart, no!

Sounds positively beautiful! If it were mine, I’d keep the water clean and warm (you have a heater in your qt, right?). Super clean water is the best medicine. Since it will be in qt, I’d just watch very closely. If you run into any problems, then we’ll help with meds. I don’t like to use anything (other than aquarium salt) as a preventative because they’ve already been stressed. Do keep us posted. Please? With loads of pictures! I want to hear what it looks like free swimming in qt! So, please hurry. But acclimate slowly.

 

Congrats on the new Betta! I just got my new guy today as well!!

I agree with the above comments. Keep the water clean, give the fish a chance to adjust and then re-access. =)

Oh my. It’s like the world is trying to make me get another betta. No, heart, no!

Sounds positively beautiful! If it were mine, I’d keep the water clean and warm (you have a heater in your qt, right?). Super clean water is the best medicine. Since it will be in qt, I’d just watch very closely. If you run into any problems, then we’ll help with meds. I don’t like to use anything (other than aquarium salt) as a preventative because they’ve already been stressed. Do keep us posted. Please? With loads of pictures! I want to hear what it looks like free swimming in qt! So, please hurry. But acclimate slowly.

Betta!! <3

 

Oh my. It’s like the world is trying to make me get another betta. No, heart, no!

Sounds positively beautiful! If it were mine, I’d keep the water clean and warm (you have a heater in your qt, right?). Super clean water is the best medicine. Since it will be in qt, I’d just watch very closely. If you run into any problems, then we’ll help with meds. I don’t like to use anything (other than aquarium salt) as a preventative because they’ve already been stressed. Do keep us posted. Please? With loads of pictures! I want to hear what it looks like free swimming in qt! So, please hurry. But acclimate slowly.

haha! I always love your replies! it still has about 4 brothers or sister back at the storeeee I am actually am pretty bad.... I bought him a 3 gallon new "quarantine" tank hehe.. it's a halfmoon (halfmoon? I think that's what it is?) tetra tank. I was feed up with the 1g, the lights and filter were broken, so I always had an air stone going and it's oddly shaped too. it was time for an upgrade!

after getting the him and the new tank, I went home, got the new tank cleaned, but first I had to do a little rearranging.. I moved my community tank into the office, Mist's (aka Mystery) future home into the stand the community was one, moved my 5 gallon betta tank to where the divided tank was, andddd behold. the desk was cleared for Mist! After that, I filled up his new tank, and let him float for about 20/30 minutes, until his baggie water tested the same as the tank (about 79 from the tap). then I let him free! he went into his lil cave, so I decided to leave him alone and go fill up the tanks I had drained about 75% to move. it was treat time for the other betta, so I unthawed some extra bloodworms for mist, it was long shot to see if he would eat, but he did! I got my lil tongs and stuck it outside his cave, he came shooting out! he ate about 3 small worms, I was so surprised! he is now running around like a crazy man! he's so adorable and full of energy. I will link to a video of him, and here are some pictures!

Congrats on the new Betta! I just got my new guy today as well!!

I agree with the above comments. Keep the water clean, give the fish a chance to adjust and then re-access. =)

yay for new betta!!!!

 

Hubby says that is a beautiful betta! I’m so glad he’s doing well!
Keep posing pics! I want to hear how he grows! Is he a he?

 

Hubby says that is a beautiful betta! I’m so glad he’s doing well!
Keep posing pics! I want to hear how he grows! Is he a he?

not sure! i'm not that good at sexing them, but so far Mist has some very nice long (well, for a baby) fins. and I think I have seen Mist flare a few times too, maybe. I just realized his gills looks very red, tested for ammonia, it's 0. so just keep an eye on it? also how often should I be doing water changes for a baby? he's in a 3g, with a filter. and should I be feeding 3x a day? I have the following food:
tetramin tropical flakes
apI tropical flakes
tetra betta small pellets (too big for him, unless I crush)
tetra betta worm shaped bites
fluval bug bites
frozen bloodworms

today I feed 3/4 worms, that's it.

should I be doing bug bites, bloodworms, and more bug bites? or flakes? i'm not even sure how old he is! but I really want to go back to the petco and get another one... babies are so cute! i'm secretly hoping he is a plakat! or a halfmoon, I'll be excited for anything! I can't really get a picture of his gills, I don't have a macro lens and he moves very fast!

best I could do, thanks for all the help!

 

My buddy is here tonight. He doesn’t see any abnormal redness. Keep doing the water changes. Feed what it will eat. Careful with the dry foods. I presoak the pellets in a little tank water. Occasional daphnia or peeled green pea cut very fine for a baby. If you look at the pic you took after his first meal, you’ll see he’s looking a little too full. Bettas are really easy to see if they’ve eaten too much. Watch him. When he looks like he’s starting to look full, he’s full. I’m thinking boy too. Your fault. Lol.