Betta fish Parasite or Normal

[Navfish]

Hi I recently got a betta last week and he is in a 5 gallon with live plants and heater and filter. He is acting fine and water changes are regular. The parameters are fine and he is perfectly active and normal but i am concered that the little black thing moving might be a parasite. any comments?

 

[Colin_T]

Video doesn't want to download.

What black part are you referring to, where is it on the fish?

 

[GaryE]

I watched it three times, both versions and saw nothing moving. There aren't many parasites that would be small, black and mobile, so I think you're okay.

 

[gwand]

There is a black wiggly thing by the gill.

 

[GaryE]

I see it now - thanks @gwand . Could it be a leech? You have the eye on it, @Navfish . Compare it to online photos of that one.

 

[Colin_T]

I couldn't get it to download and the website crapped itself and then it downloaded.

About the only parasite that is black is a parasitic worm that appears as a small black or brown dot in the muscle tissue.

Male Betta splendens have a black flap of skin that runs along the edge of the gill covers. It's not always noticeable but might be that.

I need a clear picture of it but it could be the flap of skin on the edge of the gill cover, it's just not all black due to the colour of the fish. You need to look and see if it's attached to the gill cover and whether it moves up and down when the fish is breathing and the gills are opening and closing.