Is This Normal?

[minkymink]

Since I got my betta (about September of 2012) he has changed colors. When I bought him at petsmart he was a very pale whitish color, and after the course of 1 to 2 months he gradually changed into a red and blue color. Recently though, I noticed the area below his dorsal fin turning a pale whitish color again. It's been about a week and half of his abdomen is that pale color now, it's almost like he's changing colors again. Is this normal? He's in a filtered and heated 5 gallon that has been cycled. There is no ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates in his water. I realize that bettas in the store are very stressed and will lose color and gain it back when under the proper conditions, but it shouldn't happen again?

[MyRainbowBettaFish]

your betta might be a marble. If you go into my albums, look at my HMDT he is a marble, and went from white to black LOL.

If your betta becomes pale or "dull" though, this could be a sign of stress or disease. Other then that, it actually is normal for some bettas to change color as they age.

Cheers!

MRBF

[minkymink]

It looks like he MAY be a marble, his colors are still bright and everything.

[callistra]

Well if you can share photos we'd have a better idea.

[minkymink]

This are when it first started, now the pale part is covering the majority of his abdomen.


[attach][attach][/attach][/attach]

[callistra]

He looks to be marbling to me. As long as he is eating and acting and pooping normally I would not worry.

[MattsBettas]

Defiantly a marble! Full of surprises. Is it your avatar as well.

[minkymink]

Yes he is my avatar, it's from when I first bought him. I'm so glad he's just a marble and nothing is wrong with him!