Why is my mail crowntail turning white?

[Lodie]

I've been reading on here for quite some time but just finally registered and am ready to ask my first question!

My blue male crowntail has started turning white. Not spots like ich, and not fuzzy looking. He was originally a solid blue. What's going on? He is acting completely normal and the white tissue appears healthy, not sickly looking. This happened QUICKLY, over the course of about 2 days.

Thanks for any help/ideas/advice! (and sorry about the huge pic - photobucket won't let me resize)



Housing
What size is your tank? 5.5 gallons
What temperature is your tank? 79 degrees
Does your tank have a filter? yes
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? yes
Is your tank heated? yes
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? none

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? Omega One Betta Buffet Pellets daily and freeze-dried blood worms every few days
How often do you feed your betta fish? daily

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? weekly
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? about 40% (2 gallons
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? I've been using BettaSafe (Tetra) but just ordered some Seachem Prime

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?

Ammonia:0
Nitrite:0
Nitrate:0
pH:
Hardness:
Alkalinity:

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? Fins turning white, white patch by gills
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? Behavior has NOT changed
When did you start noticing the symptoms? 1 week ago
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? NO
Does your fish have any history of being ill? NO
How old is your fish (approximately)? I've had him for 3 months but he appears to be close to, if not already, fully grown.

[aemaki09]

He looks like he is just marbling. No worries!

[Lodie]

Originally Posted by aemaki09

He looks like he is just marbling. No worries!

Gosh, I really hope so!

[aemaki09]

If it's not ich looking or fuzzy or looks like it is raised from te scales, or scales are missing there, and he is acting normal, which it looks and sounds like that's not an issue, then he's just marbling. :)

[xjenuhfur]

That marble gene sure is a surprise sometimes! Keep us updated with how he keeps changing. You might have a completely diff fish when he's done. xD

[Lodie]

Thank you all for helping to ease my mind!

[callistra]

How's he doing?

[Lodie]

He is actually doing really good, even though I barely recognize him anymore! Here's a before and after comparison:

[callistra]

Wow that's dramatic..

I do notice however he is extremely bloated. I wouldn't feed him a few days until that belly goes down. Might also try epsom salts at 1 tsp per gallon predissolved - 100% pure magnesium sulfate no dyes perfumes or additives

[Lodie]

He is on my desk at work so he gets a two day fast every weekend. And I do believe this pic was taken just after he was fed - 3 or 4 Omega One pellets. But I will definitely keep an eye on it and try the Epsom salt if necessary. Thanks for the advice!