Who Gives A Fish Forums

I was trying to take some photos of my betta, Harry, and I noticed a spot on him that caught my attention. I'm not sure if this red spot on his body is just part of his natural coloring or if it's actually a patch of missing scales. I've included two photos for comparison - the one with the spot circled is from today, and the other is from July 29. Any advice or guidance would be really appreciated, I just want to make sure Harry is healthy and happy.

I'm inclined to think that Harry's red spot might be an area where he's lost some scales, possibly from bumping into something in the tank. Assuming he's a solo occupant, I'd recommend adding some aquarium salt to the water, just to be cautious, and keep a close eye on him for any further changes.

sunsetora wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 8:53 am I was trying to take some photos of my betta, Harry, and I noticed a spot on him that caught my attention. I'm not sure if this red spot on his body is just part of his natural coloring or if it's actually a patch of missing scales. I've included two photos for comparison - the one with the spot circled is from today, and the other is from July 29. Any advice or guidance would be really appreciated, I just want to make sure Harry is healthy and happy.

Considering Harry's got the "marble gene", I'd say it's pretty likely he's just starting to change colors and patterns - like all those fancy betta types, you know, Nemo, Candy, Grizle, Koi, Galaxy, Polkadot. They start changing around 8-10 months old, which is probably why they're sold at 4-5 months, before all that begins.

He's a stunning fish, isn't he. I'm with you, I find it hard to say for certain whether that's a colour variation or a missing scale - those dramatic colour changes as they mature can be really tricky to distinguish from other issues. My approach would be to monitor him closely, while keeping his environment as clean and healthy as possible.

Regular, thorough water changes and meticulous tank maintenance are essential, as they can really help boost his immune system and reduce the risk of infection. I'd increase the frequency of cleaning and water changes, and keep a close eye on him for any signs of illness, like lethargy or fin clamping. Take plenty of photos to track any changes, and watch out for fluffy fungus or any developments with the spot. If he seems fine and the spot doesn't change, it's likely just his colouration evolving.

I've been keeping a close eye on Harry and I recently noticed this other spot on his other side (attached pictures) - same dilemma, can't tell if it's a color change or a patch of missing scales. I've been comparing the pics and I'm still unsure. Today he seemed a little twitchy, not sure what's going on with that, but other than that he seems normal - still very eager to eat and swims all day.

sunsetora wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 8:53 am I was trying to take some photos of my betta, Harry, and I noticed a spot on him that caught my attention. I'm not sure if this red spot on his body is just part of his natural coloring or if it's actually a patch of missing scales. I've included two photos for comparison - the one with the spot circled is from today, and the other is from July 29. Any advice or guidance would be really appreciated, I just want to make sure Harry is healthy and happy.

Comparing the initial pics to the recent ones, it's noticeable the red patch seems to have appeared and then possibly disappeared. Now, in the latest photos, there's a red area visible with translucent scales, thanks to the good lighting. To get a clearer view, try getting Harry to flare in front of a mirror and snap a photo when he's still - this might help clarify things.