Signs betta fish is getting old?

so i have 2 bettas in a 6 gallon divided tank. both were purchased from a big box pet store 5/6 months ago. so im assuming they were almost a year old. its a shame i bought them there, as my LFS has them at 1/3 the size i originally bought them at. ive noticed my male is starting to miss "hit" his food and have to strike it a few times to get his freeze dried bloodworms.. he has no issues with the veggie pellets i give him. his back is starting to deform or imo starting to look like a crescent moon when he turns around, the female does not show the same movements. both still love swimming around and enjoying life. but, i am concerned the male is getting old. thoughts? thank you

 

Could be some signs of age. He isn't a dragon scale by chance?

 

Could be some signs of age. He isn't a dragon scale by chance?

hes a red/pink half moon betta

 

Those are some of the signs of maturity (at least, that's what I like to call it...).

I've had some of the same experiences. My little guy that I got in December from a big box store already has that curved back, too. And he was the smallest, youngest-looking one out of the males that I could find.

My next will be coming from a breeder for sure.

Hope he stays well!

 

hes a red/pink half moon betta

Ok. Just had to make sure, as dragonscales often end up with scales growing on their eyes. Does sound like a betta that starting to age. Never had the back thing happen, mine have usually jist started fading in color and spent a bit more time laying around. But always very healthy appetites!

 

so i have 2 bettas in a 6 gallon divided tank. both were purchased from a big box pet store 5/6 months ago. so im assuming they were almost a year old. its a shame i bought them there, as my LFS has them at 1/3 the size i originally bought them at. ive noticed my male is starting to miss "hit" his food and have to strike it a few times to get his freeze dried bloodworms.. he has no issues with the veggie pellets i give him. his back is starting to deform or imo starting to look like a crescent moon when he turns around, the female does not show the same movements. both still love swimming around and enjoying life. but, i am concerned the male is getting old. thoughts? thank you

Hey! Just a little side thing note, bettas are carnivores! If the veggie pellets contain no meat at all whatsoever, the food is just going to pass through their system

 

Seems too young to show signs of age. Curved back could be chronic exposure to high nitrates

 

Hey! Just a little side thing note, bettas are carnivores! If the veggie pellets contain no meat at all whatsoever, the food is just going to pass through their system

its made with a few different types of fish with peas and algae.

Seems too young to show signs of age. Curved back could be chronic exposure to high nitrates

nitrates have never been higher then 20ppm at any one time, looking back at my notebook that is confirmed. i do (6) 50% WCs a month.

 

Could you post pictures? What do you mean his back is deformed? Adult male bettas often develop a slight hunch in their backs. My 2.5 year old male sometimes misses his first strike too, but if your betta is active, a healthy weight, and has a healthy appetite I wouldn't worry just yet.

 

Could you post pictures? What do you mean his back is deformed? Adult male bettas often develop a slight hunch in their backs. My 2.5 year old male sometimes misses his first strike too, but if your betta is active, a healthy weight, and has a healthy appetite I wouldn't worry just yet.

Yeah hunch is a better word choice. I notice it when he swims around sometimes. And the miss hitting his frozen bloodworms.