Betta fish have the ability to change color, although this is not a common occurrence and is unlikely to be noticed unless you pay extremely close attention.
Color alterations can occur in a variety of ways, such as light colors becoming darker over time or dark colors turning more vibrant. A Betta fish might even switch to a whole other color in specific circumstances. Your Betta fish may change color for a few reasons, some of which are positive and harmless while others are not.
So what causes betta fish to change color? What actions can you take to stop the coloration of your fish? And can you make your Betta’s colors better or more vibrant? You can browse through this article for a better glimpse of the changes in the color of your Betta to learn the answers to these questions.
Reasons For Betta Changing The Color
There are several reasons for a Betta to change color throughout their life. Let’s dig deeper to seek out the reasons.
Stress
In Betta fish, color changes are frequently brought on by stress. Stress can have a lot of detrimental consequences on a betta fish’s health, including changing its color. Betta fish are extremely sensitive to stress.
Occasionally, it may even result in “stress stripes.” The term “stress stripes” refers to the stripes that develop on a Betta’s body when it is under stress. These horizontal stripes, which are typically darker in color and extend from the fish’s gills to its tail, are present on all species of fish. The most typical hues are black, white, and red. Additionally, female Bettas are more likely to get them than their male counterparts.
What Makes Bettas Stressed Out?
Numerous factors, such as being housed in a tank that is too small, lacking adequate hiding spots, unsuitable water conditions, or being disturbed by other fish frequently, can cause stress in betta fish. If you suspect that your Betta is worried, you should act quickly to lessen their stress levels.
Diet
A Betta’s diet may be to blame when it starts to lose color. Bettas should generally be fed a healthy, nutrient-dense diet that is robust in protein and comprises a variety of various foods. Some people even recommend feeding carnivorous foods to Bettas. However, bettas do consume anything that fits in their jaws, even fruit, despite being classified as carnivores.
Certain nutrients that are missing from your Betta’s food may result in their colors fading or becoming bland. For instance, their hues could appear dull if they aren’t getting enough carotene. On the other side, their colors could appear washed out if they aren’t getting enough vitamin B.
On the other hand, if they are receiving too much of a certain nutrient, it may result in their colors becoming more vibrant or strong. This may result from vitamins A and C.
Feeding your Betta a proper diet is essential for maintaining the health and vibrancy of their colors.
Aging
One of the most prevalent reasons for the change in color in Betta fish is age. Betta fish that are younger than their more adult relatives frequently differ in color. It’s not unusual for the colors of young fish to deepen or become more subdued as they get older. This is particularly frequent in Betta fish with vivid, bright colors.
While the hue shift is typically gradual, it can occasionally be fairly rapid. It’s crucial to watch your Betta fish if you see a sudden change in color, and if you have any concerns, you should speak with a veterinarian.
Environment
The surroundings of your Betta fish are another frequent cause of coloration in those fish. Betta fish are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment, and even minor ones might upset them. The hue may alter as a result of this stress.
If you relocate your pet to a different tank, for instance, it could vary in color as it gets used to its new environment. The same is true if you modify anything else about a Betta fish’s environment, such as adding new tankmates.
It’s crucial to provide your Betta sufficient time to adjust if you do detect that its colors have changed following a change in its habitat. Usually, after a few days, they will go back to their original color.
Temperature
Your Betta’s environment’s temperature may also have an impact on the color. Bettas thrive in stable temperatures, typically around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, for good living conditions.
The hues of your Betta could appear bland if the water is too frigid. In contrast, if it gets hot, the colors might get more vibrant.
Occasionally, abrupt temperature changes can also affect the color of your otherwise healthy fish. This is because they get anxious when the temperature changes and are extremely sensitive to them.
Similar to the aforementioned variables, if you do observe that your Betta’s colors are changing as a consequence of a shift in temperature, examine whether you require a heater or whether you should relocate the Betta container to a cooler location.
Disease
Color changes rarely serve as illness indicators. For instance, fading or dulling colors in your Betta could indicate an internal infection. Additionally, bacterial and fungal diseases may be to blame. In a similar vein, if their colors are altering abruptly or dramatically, it may indicate a more serious health issue.
For instance, you might see your poor irritable Betta’s skin turning brown or sandy if it becomes infected with velvet parasites. The fish’s gills and fins may indeed exhibit symptoms of illness because every body component that is afflicted may darken in some way.
Diseases including fin rotting, body decay, columnar, and ich not only cause the color of the Betta fish to change but also exhibit other symptoms.
This is why it’s crucial to take your fishy companion to the doctor as soon as you observe any rapid changes in coloration coupled with other signs like lethargy, loss of appetite, or ragged fins. If a health issue is the cause of the color change, they can diagnose it and administer the necessary care.
Gender
Your Betta’s gender may have an impact on their color. When Bettas achieve sexual maturity, males are often brighter in color than females. This is because the male Bettas employ vivid colors to impress their partners.
Because of this, you might observe that your male Betta’s colors are brighter during its spawning season, which is also when you can observe them making bubble nests. In contrast, when females are prepared to mate, their color may shift to one that is more neutral. Both female and male Bettas might alter their color after spawning as they recoup from the strain of reproduction.
Why Is My Betta Fish Turning Black?
Your Betta fish could occasionally start to become black. There are several potential causes for this, the majority of which are related to the causes of their white nation.
For instance, ill or stressed Betta fish can turn black. Additionally, due to increased blood flow from traumas, some body parts may turn black. Due to their bodies producing less pigment as they age, few Bettas tend to appear darker.
Sometimes, a genetic abnormality may be to blame for Bettas turning black. For instance, melanism is a disorder where the body overproduces pigment, turning the Betta black.
Even though your Betta fish appearing black isn’t inherently harmful, it’s always a good practice to keep a watch on them to make sure it’s not an indication of something far more serious.
How To Prevent Your Betta From Changing Or Losing Its Color?
The following measures can be taken in order to prevent your Betta from losing or changing color :
Avoiding Stress
As we’ve already mentioned, one of the major causes of Betta fish color changes is stress. Betta fish occasionally lose color simply because they are under stress. Make sure to provide them with a tranquil setting where they feel protected if you wish to stop this.
This entails keeping the container temperature constant using a heater as well as other natural techniques, as well as avoiding placing them in aquariums with several other aggressive fish. Additionally, try not to move your pet around too much since this might be stressful and irritating for your Betta.
Maintaining A Healthy Environment
Your Betta will stay healthy and stress-free in a tidy tank of at least 5 gallons with the right temperature and water quality, which can stop it from changing color.
The water within its aquatic system will remain of good quality with regular water changes. Keep in mind that using contaminated tank water can result in bacterial infections or worse. Your Betta won’t get sick or become dehydrated if you keep them in a fresh, healthier environment, both of which may cause your Betta to lose color.
To make sure the water conditions are ideal for your Betta, use a water testing tool like the API Freshwater Master Test Kit.
Feeding A Proper Diet
Feeding your Betta a high-quality, vitamin and mineral-rich meal is one of the greatest methods to enhance its color. As a result, the body will be kept in good condition and be able to create the pigment that provides them with its color.
There are many various kinds of food for Bettas, although we advise staying with premium dry granules or flakes which are made just for Bettas. Additionally, you can frequently treat your Betta to live or freeze-dried delicacies like brine shrimp and bloodworms.
Always Examine New Additions
Another frequent reason for discoloration in Bettas is the illness. It’s crucial to quarantine new species before introducing them to your tank to help prevent your Betta from going white or losing its color.
Before placing any plants in your Betta fish tank, you should thoroughly rinse them with a hydrogen peroxide solution. In this manner, you can ensure that the plants are healthy and free of any parasites or illnesses that can endanger your Betta.
Using Of Dim Lights
Providing the right lighting for your Bettas is another technique to bring out its color. Since Bettas are indigenous to Southeast Asia’s rivers and streams, they are accustomed to surviving in water that has been tarnished by various substances. They thus struggle in strong lights.
Your Betta’s color may fade if there is too much light. Use dimmer lighting or even go as far as turning the lights out for a portion of the day to assist your Betta in maintaining its color. Your Betta’s color will improve as a result of feeling more relaxed and having less tension.
Addition Of Live Plants
In addition to providing your Betta with an area to hide, plants can assist in improving the water’s quality, which will lessen stress and enhance the color of your Betta.
The hornwort, java fern, amazon sword, and anubias are a few of the most beneficial plants for Bettas. All of these plants require little maintenance and can grow in a variety of water environments.
FAQ
What Is The Rarest Betta Color?
The most uncommon hue of betta in the world is albino.
This fish is so uncommon, much like pure black bettas, that many hobbyists are not even aware that they exist. When seeing albino bettas in the media or at auctions, observers frequently recognize them as white, crystal clear, or cellophane bettas.
At what Age Do Bettas Begin To Change Color?
The color of a betta may begin to deteriorate as early as age 2 years. Therefore, if you are positive that it is not stress-related, it may just be an indication of aging.
Why Is My Red Betta Fish Turning Into Blue?
If a betta had a few color flags when it was purchased, marbling could happen as the light color eventually fades to show blues or reds. As a result, it will probably turn entirely blue, which is reasonable to expect.
Conclusion
Betta fishkeeping may be a very satisfying activity for fish hobbyists, particularly when you see your Betta develop from a little fish to a beautiful small adult.
Along the journey, you’ll undoubtedly start to wonder how to enhance the beauty and vibrancy of your Betta’s colors and how to prevent your Betta colors from fading or changing. With the advice in this article, you’ll be able to accomplish that goal in no time at all.
