Red Beta Losing color

Question
Hi there,

I have a red beta fish and it seems that he is losing his color all over his body.  I have had him less than a month and to be honest I really do not know what I am doing.  I received him as a gift.  He seems to be as active now as he was when I first got him.  He eats well.  I use a beta water conditioner at his water changes.  Any help that you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Melissa

Answer
Hi Melissa;

Could his water temperature be too low? Bettas need their water temperature to be 76f or higher all the time. They will get pale if it's too cold.

Bettas need their water changed at least once a week. If his tank holds less than half gallon of water, he needs it changed twice a week. They can become faded and not feel well if their water gets dirty.

Are you feeding him a 'color enhancing food'? If not, he may have received one before or was often fed brine shrimp (a natural color enhancer) and his color is just now fading to his natural hue. It's not bad, he just won't be a colorful red unless you feed it to him again. Natural color enhancers take a few weeks to begin working. They intensify the red coloration already present in the fish. It doesn't help blues or yellows. It can brighten orange or pink fish a bit though.

Here is a web page about betta care that may help you know more about him;

http://www.bettatalk.com/betta_care.htm

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins