Betta belly is white?

[ajr0053]

Hello, I have a 4 year old betta who has started to slow down in the past few months. He has by no means seemed sick; he eats, he poops, he even made a bubble nest a while back. He’s in a 6 gallon planted tank with a heater, and all the ammonia and ammonium are 0/ at good levels. I’ve noticed his belly is now white and am wondering why. He’s a white/ pink betta in general, but as he’s gotten old his belly has become a solid white color. He’s showing no signs of stress but is he sick? Is it a tumor?

 

[Retired Viking]

I have had several Betta fish that lived 3-4 years, the average life span is 3 years, some I heard make it until 5 years so he may just be old. In which case you took very good care of him. Also they can change color due to age.

 

[ajr0053]

I have had several Betta fish that lived 3-4 years, the average life span is 3 years, some I heard make it until 5 years so he may just be old. In which case you took very good care of him. Also they can change color due to age.

I talked to a specialist at a fish store and he said he just is probably old. I’m hoping that’s the case! Thanks for your reply.

 

[Retired Viking]

Your welcome, hope he makes it to 5

 

[dacrax15]

It is not rare for a betta to change colors. As long as he is eating and swimming normally I would not worry. It seems like you are taking very good care of him

 

[FishGuest5123]

I just lost my oldest betta. He had turned paler on the bottom but also had a huge lump which was undoubtedly a tumor. As long as yours is swimming and eating, I wouldn’t worry about him. I’ve had 2 die of geriatric complications. They normally start slowing down and just hanging out on plants and things for about the last 6 months of their lives. They also fade in color and their fins/tails begin to fray. Kind of like humans, we just lose our luster as we age. Lol!

 

[ajr0053]

I just lost my oldest betta. He had turned paler on the bottom but also had a huge lump which was undoubtedly a tumor. As long as yours is swimming and eating, I wouldn’t worry about him. I’ve had 2 die of geriatric complications. They normally start slowing down and just hanging out on plants and things for about the last 6 months of their lives. They also fade in color and their fins/tails begin to fray. Kind of like humans, we just lose our luster as we age. Lol!

Thanks for the reply, and yeah that sounds a lot like what mine’s starting to do. I was worried more than usual when his fins got a bit rough looking, but they’ve been like that a while now and he’s just spending his days chilling on his plants or on the flower bed I got him. I bought him the summer before my freshman year of college and I’m now in my spring semester of junior year. I’m hoping he’ll make it until I finish undergrad. It’s almost like he and I have been through the college experience together LOL