Ways to Tell If Your Betta Fish Is Sick

The colorful flowing fins of a male betta make it a popular pet fish. Also known as the Siamese fighting fish, the betta is susceptible to common tropical fish ailments such as fungal infections, fin rot, ick, parasites and bacterial infections. Looking closely at the pet betta daily and observing his eating habits, physical appearance and level of activity will alert you to illness. Treating a sick betta is possible with over-the-counter medications available from large pet retail stores, online or from a veterinarian's clinic.

  1. Eating Habits

    • Eating habits should be routine. Variations in betta eating habits may indicate sickness. Eating is usually not a chore for a betta. Gulping individual pellets as they are dropped in the fish tank is the norm. Spitting out the pellets, eating less than normal or being reluctant to eat are abnormal and may indicate illness, according to the website Betta Talk.

    Physical Appearance

    • Look at the color of the betta. Note a lack of brilliance. Graying or dulling of his body color may indicate sickness. A healthy betta is colorful and vibrant, not pale. Fanned and flowing fins are characteristics of a healthy betta. Clumping, ripped or stiff fins are abnormal for a betta. Changes in the fin structure should be watched closely, as it may indicate illness.

      Examine the body of the betta. Look for smooth even scales. Cloudy patches of a cotton-type substance, open sores, lumps or discolored patches of skin indicate a sick betta. Protruding or swollen eyes may indicate illness. Opening and closing of the gills should be smooth and effortless. Redness or labored movement of the gills indicates a sick fish.

    Level of Activity

    • Swimming at all levels in the fish tank is normal for a betta. Floating near the top, especially in a corner of the tank, is abnormal. Hovering near the bottom of the aquarium, and coming to the surface for air on rare occasions may also be a sign the betta is sick.

      Darting motions while swimming may indicate illness. Watch the betta to see if he swims back and forth in short spurts, runs into aquarium decorations or rubs himself on the gravel or substrate. Acting in this manner may indicate an itchy sensation on his skin due to parasites, exterior growths or other betta sickness.