Betta Fish Disease Symptoms

Betta fish are popular freshwater aquarium fish characterized by their bright colors and long, flowing fins. They are an average of 2 to 3 inches in length and originated from Siam, where they were used as fighting fish, giving them another name-- "Siamese fighting fish." Veterinary advice should be sought when a Betta fish is severely ill or when a disease can be spread to other fish.

  1. Lethargy

    • Lethargy, along with a loss of appetite, is a common symptom of Betta fish diseases. It is associated with the majority of diseases, such as poisoning, shock, fungal infections, parasites and bacterial infections. Betta fish owners or veterinarians should look for other symptoms as well, because lethargy and a loss of appetite alone cannot be used to make an accurate diagnosis.

    Discoloration

    • Betta fish come in a variety of solid, vivid colors or a combination of colors such as white, blue, red, orange or black. Discoloration of any sort is a symptom that something may be wrong with a Betta fish's health. Paleness or a loss of color may be an indication of ammonia or nitrate poisoning. Cloudy white patches are often signs of fungal infections, which will turn into a slimy material that encompasses the fish's body if left untreated. Parasitic infections such as Ich and velvet also exhibit discoloration in the form of tiny white dots all over the fish's body and a gold-colored mist on its scales.

    Unusual Behavior

    • A healthy Betta fish can usually be found swimming slowly and nonchalantly around in its tank. Behavior that deviates from this normally mild temperament could indicate a problem with the fish's health. If the fish remains motionless at the bottom of the tank, it could be a symptom of ammonia or nitrate poisoning or a bacterial infection. Betta fish that swim around frantically or constantly scratch their bodies against other objects can be victims of a parasitic infection.

    Rot

    • Rot is a symptom of a condition of the same name. Rot is indicated by the fish's body parts literally appearing to fall off and rot away. The fins and tail will appear shorter as a result. Dirty tanks and poor water conditions can cause Betta fish to develop this disease.

    Bloating

    • Betta fish showing signs of bloating should be a concern for Betta fish owners. Dropsy is a common fatal disease for this species of fish. Dropsy is characterized by a large bloated belly. The bloating in this disease can be so severe that it causes the fish's scales to raise, making the fish resemble a pine cone.