Plz help! theres something wrong w/ my beta fish!?

Question

I have a beta / japanese fighting fish and he used to be a royal blue and perl white in colour. His body was blue and his tail fin was a perl white w/ the blue fading off it. Well now his body is a whitwish/ green rainbowish in some parts and his tail looks ripped and clear. What is wrong w/ him? I love my beta fish and I havn't gotten one since my last one died, which lived a long and happy life. Longer than most beta's. Please someone please tell me what is wrong w/ my Anthwan. I love him lots and I don't want him to die in pain if he is goign to die from whatever's happening to him!

tank info: it's octogon in shape, it has normal fish rocks, it has about three decoration plants in it, and it has one of those air bubble things in it.

Anthwan: he has also had the tips of this fins burned from something in the water, but I cleaned the whole tank and put new water in. His fins grew back perfectly and he looked better than ever. he's not even a year old and I do feed him regulry.

Answer 1

Without seeing a picture, it's hard to diagnose, but it sounds like he could have fin rot. How often do you change the water? A 25% water change should be done at the very least, bi-weekly. Are you using a filtration system in the tank? If not, you must be sure you are using water treatment (ie: chlorine remover) with EACH water change.

I would suggest trying Melafix. You can purchase it any fish/pet store and it works wonders when used properly.

Answer 2

This may sound silly, but do you have another betta male in another bowl near this one? If you don't, maybe try putting a mirror up.. Once I had a lonely betta and the mirror trick fixed him right up LOL.

That may not work, it may be something more serious, but that was the first thing that came to my mind. Good luck with finding a cure. :)

Edit: Yes Annonymous, that is true, but seeing other males keeps males looking tip top shape. It brings out their vibrant colors and keeps them active. So, who knows? It may work it may not, but it works when my current betta gets bored.

Answer 3

I'm surprised at Claire's answer because I've heard that Beta fish will fight to the death with eachother if put in the same tank and will often attempt to do that if a mirror is placed at their own tank for them to see themselves, thinking it's another Beta fish.  Maybe what works for some people, doesn't for others, I don't know.

I had mine in a vase type of bowl, with green plants inserted into a special top that fit over the bowl and the roots of the plants grew into the water of the bowl/vase.  They add oxygen to the water and help absorb some of the waste from the fish in the tank.  The roots of the plants have to be cut back sometimes but that's OK.  Doesn't bother them.

In the meantime, this is an interesting link:\

http://care.betta-fish.com.ar/

Hope I've helped.