Why Is My Betta Fish Ugly Looking?

Betta fish are among the most popular and beautiful-looking pet fish in the world. If you’ve seen one or own one, you must know that. Are you seeing something unusual in your Betta fish lately and wondering why it is looking so ugly?

Your Betta fish can look ugly due to stress, disease, poor water quality, or even genetic traits.

Key Takeaways:

1. Betta’s fins are fragile and can be easily injured.
2. The color of the fish or rotting fins can be reasons for your Betta to look ugly.
3. A good aquarium condition is very important to maintain the health and wellbeing of Bettas.
4. You can follow a few simple steps if you think your Betta’s appearance has changed. Major steps can be: observation, water condition testing, diet and feeding, isolation, researching disease and seeking professional help if needed.

Now, I will dig a bit deeper to know in detail why your favorite Betta is looking ugly. Sit tightly, because this discussion can be helpful for you to know the reasons. I will also try to provide some feasible solutions afterwards.

Why Do Betta Fish Get Ugly?

Every Betta fish is unique and sensitive. So it is very important to monitor their health behavior and adjust care accordingly. If you notice anything unusual or any illness in your Betta fish, there might be some underlying factors.

Betta fish can get sick or ugly looking due to factors like:

• Poor Water Condition: Bettas can get sick easily if the water they live in isn’t suitable enough.
• Overcrowding: When multiple Bettas are kept in one tank, they can get into territorial conflict and become aggressive towards each other.
• Stress: Bettas are sensitive to bright lighting, loud noises and sudden temperature change. It can lead to a stressful situation for them.
• Exposure to Pathogens: Pathogens can be present in the tank water, decorations or on the fish themselves. Betta fish can be exposed to pathogens through contaminated water, infected tankmates or inadequate quarantine procedures.
• Common Illnesses Like Fin Rot, Ich, Velvet and Dropsy: These are few common illnesses of Betta that not only affect their health but also their appearance.

Discover more cool facts about Betta with this detailed post! Why Did My Betta Fish Change Color From Blue To Red?

Are You Aware Of Your Betta’s Diseases?

If you love having beautiful Bettas as your pets, then you must have clear ideas on why they ever look ugly. One of the main reasons can be any diseases it caught.

Learn about their common illnesses and symptoms. Do research and compare the symptoms with what you’re observing. This can help you identify the issue and determine the appropriate treatment.

How Can You Protect Your Betta From Getting Ugly?

Here are some key tips to ensure the wellbeing of Betta fish:

1. Tank Size:

You should set up a tank that can hold at least 5 gallons of water. The tank has to be spacious so that it allows proper swimming space and water stability for the fish.

2. Water Temperature:

Maintaining the water temperature between 78-80°F (25-27°C) is important for the fish’s comfort. You can use a heater and thermometer to control the temperature.

3. Filtration:

Bettas prefer calm water, so use a gentle filter to maintain clean water and proper aeration. Avoid strong currents.

4. Tank Décor:

This is really important because Bettas love isolation. Use decorations like plants and caves to create hiding spots for Bettas. It not only reduces their stress but also creates a natural resting environment.

5. Water Quality:

Regularly test water parameters for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Also, you must change about 25% of the tank water weekly to prevent ammonia and nitrate buildup. Make sure to use conditioned water at the right temperature while changing.

6. Balanced Diet:

Evaluate your Betta’s diet and feeding habits. Provide a high-quality Betta specific diet which may include pellets, flakes and occasional live or frozen treats like brine shrimps or daphnia. Two small meals a day is sufficient for them. Avoid overfeeding them to prevent obesity and water pollution.

7. Avoid Overcrowding:

Bettas are territorial and have a tendency to become aggressive towards each other. So, keeping only one Betta per tank is better.

8. Quarantine:

If you’re planning to add new fish to your tanks, make sure you quarantine the new ones in a separate tank for a few days to avoid any risk of potential diseases. Also, if you suspect any disease in one, consider moving it to a separate tank to prevent the spread of illness to other fish.

Hungry for knowledge about Betta? We’ve got you covered in this article. Does Bright Light Make Betta Fish Turn White?

9. Observation:

Keep an eye on your Betta fish from time to time. Observe them for any signs of illness like changes in behavior, loss of appetite or discoloration basically the ugly look. If you can detect anything early, treatment will also become faster.

10. Stress Reduction:

As Bettas are sensitive, they can get stressed very easily. Keep the tank in a quiet area, away from loud noises. Also, make sure to use subdued lighting as they are light sensitive.  Keep the tank in a place where sudden temperature change won’t occur.

11. Extra Care:

Maintaining good hygiene is important for the fish. Clean the tank equipment and decorations regularly. Avoid using soap while cleaning. If you use tap water in your tank, make sure to put water conditioner in it to remove chlorine and chloramines.

Final Words

From the above discussion, you must’ve already gotten answers to the reasons why your Betta fish went ugly. Don’t freak out. Prompt attention and action are important to ensure their wellbeing. By following these tips and guidelines you’ll be well on your way to keeping your Betta fish healthy and happy.

Still if you’re unsure about it, you can always seek professional help. It’s best if you consult a veterinarian who has expertise in fish diseases and health. They can provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan if needed.