Betta fish is available in various kinds and colors, both natively and through breeders. To start with, the stunning and flashy color of betta fish makes them the greatest pet choice for fish fans. However, if you are new to the scene, you may not be aware that betta fish may change colors. People are often concerned about betta fish turning pink.
Betta fish change color for a variety of causes. They are susceptible to any adjustments in the water or aquarium, and they respond almost instantaneously. Colour change is one of the techniques they convey their feelings. As a result, if your betta fish is turning pink, it is most likely attempting to communicate with you. There could be a handful of reasons behind betta fish turning pink. Blue betta fish, for example, may change to pink as they grow older, around the age of two. In this piece, we will explain why betta fish is turning pink and how to deal with the problem after ecological factors are taken into account.
4 Reasons Why Betta Fish Turning Pink?
Are you worried about your white betta fish turning pink? Most of the time, stress and ammonia are the causes of a betta fish turning pink. Betta fish have distinctive tank settings and do not like large changes in their environment. Here are a few possible causes for your betta fish turning pink.
Naturally
Betta fish changes its colors as it matures. So it might so happen that your betta is changing color with age because of genetics. Sometimes, betta fish also have the jumping gene. This gene is most common among the marble betta. The Jumping gene is responsible for changes in colors in betta. Marble betta changes its colors as it ages throughout the various phases of its life due to the color-changing property.
This color change can happen genetically or non-genetically. This means your betta can turn pink even if it does not have a red or pink betta. This color change in betta can take two to three years. However, you may notice different color shades through different life stages. Therefore, your betta fish might be turning pink due to its natural biological process.
Ammonia Contamination
Your fish excretes in the same water that they consume, swim in, and live in. As a result, if sufficient filtration and water cleansing are not supplied, nitrate and ammonia levels in the water may become poisoned, making it impossible for a betta to thrive. Abundant nitrifying bacteria in a fully populated aquarium, as well as improper tank cleaning, will cause ammonia and nitrate levels to rise in the water.
As a result, ammonia toxicity can cause betta fish to turn pink. This is because ammonia causes the betta fish’s lungs to blister, turning purple, pink, or even bleeding. Other symptoms of ammonia toxicity involve clouded water, lethargic fish, color changes to dull dark colors, and gasping for oxygen.
Stress
Stress is a slow killer of betta. Betta is extremely sensitive to any water changes or inadequate water conditions. Hence, any insufficiency will stress your betta out, making it ill and changing its colors. Betta generally loses its gaudy edge when it is anxious. This implies it will lose the brightness of its natural pigments.
Betta stresses about the water temperature is too cold or too hot. The pH, if not within the stipulated range of 6.5-7, might make betta stress about its life. Along with that if you keep your betta in a community tank, a dominant fish might scare it, and it will stress about it. This will result in betta fish turning pink.
Ill Betta
Sometimes, bacterial or fungal infections, which could be deadly if not treated timely in a betta fish, could make them change their color to pink. This is an indication that your betta is trying to send. Red spot disease is one of the most typical cases. Aphanomyces invadans is the fungus that causes this illness. Initially, the betta fish will grow pink or red spots but will not turn completely crimson.
On the other side, if it gets serious sufficiently, it can cause betta fish turning pink. Red spot disease is a serious problem since it progresses rapidly and can murder your betta fish in a relatively short time if not treated properly. If only the fins appear to change color to pink, it could be fin rot.
How To Treat Betta Turning Pink?
There are a few things you can do if you notice betta fish turning pink. Note that it could be a natural process, but still, we suggest checking the tank parameters to be sure your betta is not ill. Here is how to check the tank parameters.
- Firstly, observe wheter all other fish, if any in the tank, have the same symptoms of turing into pink or red. If they do then you might suspect an infection in your tank or else it might just be natural. Either way, we recommend you quarantine your betta to avoid any further spread.
- After quarantining your betta fish, check all the water variables. This includes, the temperature, pH measure, salinity, ammonia and nitrate content. Make sure your wtaer temperautre is between 72-85 degrees Fahrenhiet and pH is between 6.7-7.
- To prevent any ammonia or nitrite levels raise we suggest you change water 15-20 % once every week. Also install proper filter system and heater to keep the temperature in check. Therefore to prevent betta fish turning pink do not compromise on heater and filter.
- Remove all elements of stress in the tank. This may include other tank members. Your betta might stress on being overwatched as well. Hence, try to avoid doing that and install enough tank objects, toys and logs in the tank so that it have places to hide. They, in the wild, generally hide among the shrubs in the brackish, paddy water they reside in.
- Your betta may stress due to lack of oxygen. Make sure you install an air stone in the tank to provide proper ventilation to your fish. This can significantly help prevent your betta fish turning pink.
- After rectifying all the inadequate tank conditions, acclimate your betta into the tank again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Why is my platinum betta fish turning pink?
As mentioned above, this might be because of the excess ammonia content in the tank. Therefore, check the tank parameters immediately if you notice your betta turning pink.
What are signs that your betta fish is dying?
The first sign would be a change in its pigmentation or scales and spots appearing on the betta body. One might also notice irregular swimming patterns in betta.
What does it mean when your betta fish changes colors?
It indicates that your betta fish is stressed due to the aquarium settings you give. The tank does not satisfy your betta. It could likewise indicate that your betta is aging or that you have a marble betta with a jumping gene.
Why is my betta fish tail turning pink?
A betta fish changing its tail color is simply a natural phase in your betta’s life as they mature. Male betta sometimes changes color for mating purposes to attract females.
Final Thoughts:
Your betta fish turning pink can mean many things, particularly in most cases, it means ammonia poisoning. Hence, we suggest being careful of the signs that your betta is showing, being observant, and do not ignore any symptoms if you want your betta to live a healthy, long and prosperous life for the rest of its lifespan.
