Why is my betta's tail turning orange, falling off, with black spots?

Thanks for reaching out about Inferno and including photos. Have you tried contacting local fish clubs or koi clubs for suggestions of a veterinarian? Test and correct water parameters. Sub-optimal water quality, nutritional deficiencies, bacterial infections, parasitic problems are the most common. By the photos, he appears slightly thin and scales dull. Vitamins and nutrients degrade in fish food rapidly, so should be re-purchased every 3 months. A skin scrape and microscopic examination at a veterinarians office should provide answers to skin parasites and possible infections, then a treatment plan can be implemented. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Gummy. Not sure of biting the tail is normal, especially if chewing to the point of removing part of the tail. Itching or irritation are most likely. Test and correct water quality including pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrates. These can be dermal irritants. Bacterial or parasitic concerns, spinal problems (scoliosis due to vitamin C deficiency) are also common and a veterinary visit would be needed to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Good luck.

Check the strength of the current created by the filter. Bettas do best in very slow moving water. A strong current can actually damage long finnage. Be sure to use a conditioner at each water change. My preferences are Prime, NovAqua, AmQuel Plus, StressZyme or StressCoat. You can find these in the aquarium section of the local Petco. You don't need to use all of them though. A bit of plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) can also aid in healing. Dissolve up to 1 teaspoon of salt per gallon of water and treat for 10-14 days then reassess fin condition.

Thanks for reaching out about Lucky. First, check water quality for pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Correct any problems. Is there any other fish in the tank that could be aggressive? Bacterial infections can attack the fins/skin, and if the lesions progress, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess Lucky's health and work on a diagnostic/treatment plan. Any new fish might have introduced parasites. Good luck.

Thanks for your question, and I’m sorry that Oscar isn’t feeling well. Thank you for the photos as well - they are very helpful. I agree with you - it looks like his fins are shortened and I can appreciate the color changes you are seeing. Both of these changes can be caused by infections, including bacterial, fungal, and parasites. When these infections occur, the first thing that we evaluate is the water quality. I am not sure if you have done this or not yet, but you can take a sample of your water to a pet store for evaluation if you don’t have a kit at home. If the parameters are not ideal, this can make Oscar susceptible to diseases that he would normally be able to fight off. Once you have determined this, then you can either try to treat empirically with an over the counter medication, or you can seek veterinary advice for Oscar. Your veterinarian would take a sample from the skin surface and maybe the fins to evaluate for what is causing the changes. They would then prescribe medications that are tailored to what they find. I hope that gives you a place to start, and that Oscar feels better soon!

Thanks for reaching out about Stanley. First, test the water quality for pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Correct any problems. Laying on the bottom might be an indication of a swim bladder infection/fluid. These are commonly bacterial and systemic antibiotics required. A veterinary visit is needed to prescribe medications. Antibiotics added to the water are rarely absorbed, and are generally for skin infections, vis contact. Good luck.

Hi, and thanks for your question. You can actually attach the pics to the question if you like. This description of the lesions could be compatible with a parasite or possibly a bacterial infection. Begin by submitting a water sample for quality testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or a nominal fee. Clinical examination should always include a water quality check, even if you have done so already. Water testing should be performed with a quality test kit, measuring NH4, NO2 and NO3. High ammonia levels, PH imbalances may be responsible for these signs. Oxygen concentration and quality of the filters should be determined as well. If water quality is good and there are no major imbalances, your fish should get examined to look for any sign of bacterial/fungal/parasitic infection and eventually water should be treated. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.