Typically, your fish looks beautiful, with their glowing blue or red. However, lately, they have been looking rather pale. It is either they turn whitish or darkish—neither is their natural color.
Is your betta fish losing color? It is not just a case of appearance. Chances are, they are not well now. Let’s find out more about this symptom before figuring out the solution.
Why Is My Betta Fish Losing Color?
It is understandable if you worry about your betta buddy this way, because betta fish usually have this beautiful colors and pattern. The turning of the color may be different. Let’s find out the causes first before you decide to do something about this.
Your betta fish may be stressed out
Check out their diet first. Have your betta fish got enough varieties of meals, including more fiber? Have you somehow overfed them? If yes, chances are they are stressed out.
Another thing to consider is the size of their tank. If it is less than five gallons, then no wonder you can see your betta fish losing its color. They are stressed out with their small environment.
Your betta fish is aging
If humans start having more grey hair, then betta fish will look pale as they get old. Generally, their life expectancy is much, much shorter than humans. They can live only up to five years. Even long before that, their color-changing starts in the second year of their lives.
Your betta fish is ill
Is your betta fish losing color and not eating and swimming? Chances are they might be ill. If the fish is not eating, it could be a sign of constipation. Regarding the change in their color, you may need to consider other possible factors too.
For example, if your fish turns gold-like, they might be suffering from velvet. If you notice some white spots on them, it could a sign for ich.
Your betta fish has somehow injured themselves
Since betta fish is active, it is natural for them to hurt themselves accidentally. For example, if their fins rot, they will fall apart. The replacement for the rotten fins will turn darker than the previous ones. In this case, you do not need to worry. It is a sign that they can also heal themselves after the injury.
They may look funny after healing from their past injuries. For example, a dark betta fish may have some new white fins after their last injury.
Different Colors in The Change and What It Means For The Betta Fish
In the case of betta fish losing color, it may not be the same for them. Depending on the colors, the reasons may be various:
The Marble Betta Fish Change Color
Although not as often as other types of betta fish, marble betta fish still change color. If their diet menu is varied, their tank is big enough, their water quality is fine, and they have not hurt themselves, then no worries. Your fish is just fine. It is probably a sign that they are getting old.
When Your Betta Fish Turns Black
Just like with marble betta, you do not need to worry if yours still swims around well. Once you see betta fish losing color and not eating and swimming, it could be a sign that they are sick.
When Your Betta Fish Turns White
When your betta fish turns white, then it is time to worry. Chances are that your betta fish might be suffering from one of these health problems:
Columnaris
This bacterial infection will cause soft white spots to appear on your betta fish. Besides that, their fins are fraying, and ulcers and sores are on their body too.
Anchor worms
Anchor worms do not only turn your betta fish white. Your betta buddy’s other symptoms are suffering from anchor worms include lethargy, ulcers, and rubbing and scraping habits. Another sign is that they have trouble breathing.
Ich
The parasite called ‘Ichthyopthirius multifiliis’ is the troublemaker behind this illness. Other similar symptoms besides white spots to betta fish tormented by anchor worms include lethargy, not eating, rubbing, and scraping against the tank. It is their effort to remove the parasite from their bodies.
Stress
If they have no problems with their diet, chances are it is their stress. To reduce it, so they no longer look so pale, make sure that the tank is big enough for them to swim around. Remember, betta fish need more space.
Fin rot
If only their fins that look pale or turn white, chances are it is their fin rot. Do not let that escalate into body rot – or it will be much harder to cure your betta fish. Do not let yours turn fin-less.
How To Improve Betta Fish Color
To help improve the color, you can try changing the fish tank water regularly and add a filter plus a heater to the tank.
The fish tank should also be big enough for your bettas. Feed your betta fish with salmon, daphnia, and fiber-rich meals. Last but not least, do not overcrowd the tank.
