The Symptoms of a Sick Betta Fish

Betta fish (Betta splendens) are generally considered to be one of the easiest freshwater fish to care for. Bettas, also known as Siamese fighting fish, have a specialized breathing organ called a labyrinth organ that makes them able to breathe oxygen directly from the air as well as from water. But bettas can and do get sick. The earlier sickness is detected in a betta, the sooner the illness can be treated and the better the betta's chance of survival.

  1. Gasping at Water Surface

    • Bettas should not be kept in the tiny plastic bowls that pet stores sell them in. They need at least one gallon of water to move around and get enough oxygen, according to Nippyfish.net. Otherwise, their wastes will build up ammonia, which robs the water of its oxygen content. This leaves the betta gasping at the surface of the water for air. This also stresses the betta's immune system and predisposes it to getting illnesses.

    Clamped Fins

    • Bettas normally hold their fins out and let them flow as they swim. They do not swim holding their fins pressed tightly against their bodies, according to "Aquarium Care of Bettas." Bettas may flatten their dorsal (top) fins while they sleep, but not when they are awake and actively swimming.

    Discoloration

    • Betta colors can dull or become lighter as they sleep, but healthy bettas have vibrant colors while they are awake. They should not have white fuzz on their bodies or fins, which is a sign of a parasitic infection called ich (short for Ichthyophthirius.) They also should not have yellow spots, which is called velvet and is another type of parasite, according to "Aquarium Care of Bettas." There also should not be red bumps or strangely-colored spots, which are wounds or infections.

    Loss of Appetite

    • Bettas are not big eaters, but they should at least show interest in food once it's placed in their tank. Sick bettas will ignore food or spit it out, according to BettaTalk.com. A betta skipping more than one meal is cause for alarm.

    Resembling a Pine Cone

    • Betta scales are normally hard to see. They lay flat against the fish's body. But when sick, these scales often stand out stiffly from the body, making the fish's body somewhat resemble a pine cone. The gills may also seem to stick out because of inflammation.

    One Body Part Suddenly Grows or Disappears

    • If the betta's belly seems to have suddenly expanded, it could have dropsy. If one eye is much larger than the other, it could have an infection called "popeye." Any wounds or a previous infection can cause fin rot, which can quickly eliminate the betta's fins and move up to the body.