first betta - coloring/health question

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I was given a male betta in a vase with a peace lily as a housewarming gift. I haven't owned a fish before, but knew enough to know that a vase isn't an adequate home for any fish, so went out and bought a 5G tank, heater, and thermometer. I treated the water before putting the fish in the tank.

The tank came with a filter, but it was too strong, so I put it away and ordered a low-flow one, which came today. In the meantime I've been monitoring ammonia levels (fine so far) and just ordered a full test kit which should arrive in a few days.

My question is that about the betta's color. Since we got him, the tips of his fins (and his entire top fin) are a brilliant blue, but the rest of the fins (not tips) and his body are more gray. I thought the better water would help his color, but it hasn't changed. He's very active and is eating normally.

Can this just be his normal color, or is the dull body/fins a sign of disease? His fins are long and I don't see signs of eroding fins at all - just the color issue. I always thought of bettas as being brilliantly colored all over.

I don't know how long this little guy lived in the small vase before we got him, or how old he is, or whether his water was ever changed before we got him.

Thanks for any help. My kids are very attached to this guy, and we want to help him be as healthy as possible.

[LoriKeet]

Can you upload a picture? I'm not a Betta expert, but I do know that some breeds have white/gray tips.

[Hadoken Kitty]

Pics? (:

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The photo is clearly sideways - having trouble uploading the turned version. But you can see the grayish/white section of the lower fin.

[waterdog]

Looks like natural coloration to me!

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Closer up.

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Okay, here's the second one.

[bettacrazygirl86]

Looks natural to me! He's very cool looking. :)

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Thanks so much!!
One last question -- I moved him into the tank before I'd ever heard of the concept of "cycling." I'm monitoring ammonia levels every 2 days, with 30% (roughly) water changes 2x/week, and will do more if needed.
It's just the one fish in the 5 gallon tank.
Is this okay, or is it still a problem to have him in the tank while it cycles? And how long will the cycling take?

[bettacrazygirl86]

I've never let the tank cycle before putting the fish in, and my two have been doing just fine. Sounds to me like you're doing everything right. :)