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betta fish and eye problems
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 1:57 pm
by koralux
My betta's eyes look cloudy, kinda like they're covered in a film. Tank's a 5 gallon, heated to 78F, filtered with a sponge. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Been feeding him fluval bug bites, 3 pellets twice a day. Any idea what's up?
Re: betta fish and eye problems
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 3:44 pm
by DiscusDare
koralux wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 1:57 pm
My betta's eyes look cloudy, kinda like they're covered in a film. Tank's a 5 gallon, heated to 78F, filtered with a sponge. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Been feeding him fluval bug bites, 3 pellets twice a day. Any idea what's up?
Cloudy eyes can be bacterial or fungal. Try a salt bath, 1 tsp per gallon for 10 minutes daily. Also, check if the filter flow's too strong, they hate current. If it doesn't clear up in a week, might need meds like kanaplex.
Re: betta fish and eye problems
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 5:20 pm
by franzi
Yep, sounds like popeye or an infection. I'd do a 25% water change first, just in case. What kinda substrate you got? Sharp stuff can scratch their eyes, making 'em prone to infections.
Re: betta fish and eye problems
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 5:35 pm
by limber
Yo, cloudy eyes are sketchy. Had this happen to my boy last year. Turned out the water was too soft, no minerals. Added some crushed coral to the filter, fixed it in days. You test GH/KH?
Re: betta fish and eye problems
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 7:33 pm
by bronzite
Agree with the salt bath suggestion. Also, dim the lights for a bit. Bright light can stress 'em out, making infections worse. How long's the tank been set up?
Re: betta fish and eye problems
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 9:23 pm
by koralux
Thanks for the tips, everyone. Gonna try the salt bath and check the flow. Substrate's smooth sand, tank's been running 4 months. I'll test GH/KH tonight.
Re: betta fish and eye problems
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 10:48 pm
by trailblaz
limber wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 5:35 pm
Yo, cloudy eyes are sketchy. Had this happen to my boy last year. Turned out the water was too soft, no minerals. Added some crushed coral to the filter, fixed it in days. You test GH/KH?
Good call on the minerals. Soft water's a sneaky issue. If GH's below 4, definitely add something. I use seachem equilibrium, works like a charm.
Re: betta fish and eye problems
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2025 12:36 am
by florine
Lol, bettas are such drama queens. Mine once got cloudy eyes because I moved his tank 2 inches to the left. But seriously, salt baths are magic. Just don't overdo it, they're not saltwater fish.
Re: betta fish and eye problems
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2025 1:27 am
by bronzechip
Hope your fish feels better soon! Keep us posted. Maybe skip a feeding day too, sometimes less food helps them focus on healing.
Re: betta fish and eye problems
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2025 1:34 am
by Aquabug9
Mine had this last month! Turned out to be the dang plastic plants. Switched to silk, no more issues. You got any sharp decor in there?