Possible Betta Disease Or Natural Color?

Hey guys,

Two weeks ago, I bought a Halfmoon Betta from a nearby pet store, and I've noticed a dramatic color change occurring. When I bought him, he had a black area around his gills, but it seems to be spreading along his body. He's been glass surfing a lot, but I haven't noticed any grinding against the hardscape. While I'm not new to fishkeeping, I am new to Bettas, and I wanted to see what you guys thought.

Tank Parameters, API Master Kit:

14 Gallon tank, cycled, 3 months old.
Temp: 76~
Ammonia: 0~ ppm
Nitrite: 0~ ppm
Nitrate:0~ ppm
PH: 7.6~7.8
Weekly 20% water changes, Lightly planted. HOB filter with ceramic pebbles and fine sponge.

 

It’s very very common for bettas to change color over time due to a gene called the marble gene. He actually looks like he’s in beautiful condition especially for having such large fins!
Perhaps we could get a photo without the harsh lighting, so we can see his scales better (like in the first picture)?

 

Colour changes are the norm for betta with the marble gene & yours is beautiful. I too wonder if you can get a clearer shot of his scaling.

Also, not your question, but may I ask if the 0 nitrates means you have nitrates but they're hovering somewhere between 0-5?

 

It’s very very common for bettas to change color over time due to a gene called the marble gene. He actually looks like he’s in beautiful condition especially for having such large fins!
Perhaps we could get a photo without the harsh lighting, so we can see his scales better (like in the first picture)?

Of course! It's a little difficult to get his fins/scales focused, but here ya go.

Colour changes are the norm for betta with the marble gene & yours is beautiful. I too wonder if you can get a clearer shot of his scaling.

Also, not your question, but may I ask if the 0 nitrates means you have nitrates but they're hovering somewhere between 0-5?

I do have some nitrates, but they're currently too low to register as .5, so I just rounded down to 0. It's likely to be in the 0 to 0.5 range.

 

Of course! It's a little difficult to get his fins/scales focused, but here ya go. View attachment 868292View attachment 868293View attachment 868294View attachment 868295

I do have some nitrates, but they're currently too low to register as .5, so I just rounded down to 0. It's likely to be in the 0 to 0.5 range.

He's a beauty & it looks like he's getting his "glow up" in your tank - normal colour change.

The nitrates - I figured. When they show up as zero in a tank where you can actually see fish amidst the heavy foliage, those of us that watch out for cycle crashes get nervous.

Good photos & he looks like a healthy guy to me. Good luck with him.

 

Looks gorgeous to me! One of my bettas is starting to show the marble gene as well! If anything, hes darker and more pronounced compared to when you bought him. He seemed quite pale before.
The marble gene is quite common in domestic bettas nowadays.

 

He looks gorgeous! what a petty betta!