Beta fish top fin gone

Question
QUESTION: I have a very old beta. His name is Jimmie Johnson. He has been on the top of the tank for 6 months and seems to be very blind. I only give the pellets that float and help guide him to the pellets and his smell helps him get them. His top fin is gone completely and is kinda white cause he floats on top of the water. Has been like this for a while but keeps living. I have two more on each side separated by cardboard and everyone is doing fine. I have had betas over 20 years and have used this forum a lot. Just wondering if this is an old age thing. He is 3 and half years old. Thanks for any help. Gay

ANSWER: Gay,

Well, in my experiences with Betta's, 3.5 years is more like teenage years. I have one that is almost 6 and a half and still going strong. As for the top fin being gone, that is not any indication of age. Even the old guys keep their fins. How does his tail look? Are they clamped or fraying at all? You have cardboard in the tank with the fish? I mean the cardboard is the tank separater? The fin loss and blindness could be an indication of bad water quality. What are your perimeters? As long as he is eating and not acting different then I would keep doing what you are doing.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have 3 tanks and a piece of cardboard is between the glasses of each tank beings I have limited space. They have 3 gallon tanks each. The water condition are great, the temp is good. Same as the other 2 tanks that are cleaned every 3 weeks. I let the jugs sit for the 3 weeks and add water conditioner when I change the water. I appreciate your input and did not realize the life span was longer than I thought. I do the pea thing once a week. Try not to overfeed. Love and talk to them every day. His other fins are excellent. Other than that top one he does okay. It is kinda difficult for him to turn in a tight circle. He has to make a big one to come back for his food. Again I thank you for your experience and help. Gay

Answer
Gay,
You are welcome. I have a couple suggestions. There is no reason to let the water sit for 3 weeks. By the time it goes in the tank its a bit stagnant with very low oxygen. Betta's have an organ called a labyrinth which allows them to breath the air like we do. The do not benefit at all from water left out any period of time. You can put the water straight from the tap with the conditioner. Remember that the water has to be tested weekly. The water has to be changed weekly not every three week. If you wait that long, I can guarantee the water conditions are not great. What temp are the heaters set at? If the weekly 25% water changes are done, heaters are used at set for the right temp, and fed correctly, the life span is longer. Make sure you are not using test strips when you test the water because these are not accurate. Always use a liquid test kit. Would love to know the water readings are. Make sure you are fasting them one day a week. Preferably the day before you feed the pea.