Millie Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 Hi there! I got a new Betta fish a few days ago and noticed he had some spots that looked like old person spots on his back! I was wondering if it's something i should be worried about or if it's just his coloring! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie Posted January 8, 2023 Author Share Posted January 8, 2023 Water qualities are fine, ammonia, nitrates are 0, temperature is warm, I'm not sure if I just got a sick fish from the store a few days ago or if everything's okay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie Posted January 8, 2023 Author Share Posted January 8, 2023 Another photo; he's doing something I can only describe as excitedly shaking, not consistently shimmying or twitching. It's very random that I'll see him twitch or dart quickly side to side. I'm worried that he's got ich or something I can't see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colu Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 (edited) What is your nitrite and pH when you say your water is warm what is the exact temperature as to low a temperature can effect Betta's immune systems and leave them susceptible to secondary infection is he eating ok any rapid breathing hanging near the surface listlessness spitting food out @Millie Edited January 8, 2023 by Colu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quikv6 Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 ....And why are your nitrates 0? Is this a newly setup tank that has not cycled yet? If so, you may develop some ammonia and nitrite, both of which can kill fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie Posted January 8, 2023 Author Share Posted January 8, 2023 The tank is fully cycled I've had it for 6 months. Temperature is set to 80° for the betta fish, ammonia and nitrates are all under 0.5; pH is 7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie Posted January 8, 2023 Author Share Posted January 8, 2023 On 1/7/2023 at 10:32 PM, Colu said: What is your nitrite and pH when you say your water is warm what is the exact temperature as to low a temperature can effect Betta's immune systems and leave them susceptible to secondary infection is he eating ok any rapid breathing hanging near the surface listlessness spitting food out @Millie He's eating for sure and is active around the tank, not spitting food out or anything but he does some erratic swimming every now and then. No hanging near the surface or anything Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colu Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 (edited) On 1/8/2023 at 11:16 AM, Millie said: ammonia and nitrates are all under 0.5; When you say ammonia under 0.5 if theirs any ammonia even 0.2 it what could be irritating him causing erratic swimming pattern if your using test strips and they only test to 0.5 I would get an API liquid test kit for ammonia you want ammonia nitrite to be zero and nitrate be around 20 ppm Edited January 8, 2023 by Colu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie Posted January 8, 2023 Author Share Posted January 8, 2023 Nitrate levels should be under 20 ppm, I've been using the test strips which is why I say my water parameters are fine, there's no ammonia or nitrates in the water, the test strips are coming back well but the fish is still behaving erratically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colu Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 (edited) On 1/8/2023 at 12:52 PM, Millie said: Nitrate levels should be under 20 ppm, I've been using the test strips which is why I say my water parameters are fine, there's no ammonia or nitrates in the water, the test strips are coming back well but the fish is still behaving erratically. If you have live plants you want nitrates around 20 ppm as your plants will adsorb them test strips are ok they are less accurate I would always double check with a liquid test kit for ammonia you could add a Small amount of aquarium salt 1 table spoon for 5 gallons at that level it shouldn't harm your plants and will add essential electrolytes and aid Gill function the color change on his back can be caused by ammonia burn or just natural color change he could have had ammonia burn at the shop you got him from water quality can causes erratic swimming pattern or behavior that why I recommended getting a liquid test kit for ammonia Edited January 8, 2023 by Colu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie Posted January 8, 2023 Author Share Posted January 8, 2023 I no longer have live plants! I have all fake plants but I'll try the aquarium salt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colu Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 On 1/8/2023 at 1:15 PM, Millie said: I no longer have live plants! I have all fake plants but I'll try the aquarium salt! As you have fake plants I would up the level of salt to one tablespoon for 3 gallons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie Posted January 8, 2023 Author Share Posted January 8, 2023 Thank you! I've purchased the salt and I'll continue to monitor and test my water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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