Diagnose, Treat, and Support Your Betta Back to Health

Betta fish are hardy, but stress, injury, or poor water quality can weaken their immune systems. Early detection and proper care are key to recovery.

Common Signs of Illness or Injury:

Clamped fins

Lethargy or loss of appetite

Torn fins or missing scales

Rapid gill movement or labored breathing

Color loss, white spots, fuzzy patches, or bloating

Step 1: Isolate the Betta

Move to a hospital tank (2.5–5 gallons, heated, bare-bottom)

Use a sponge filter or no filter with daily 100% water changes

Add Indian almond leaf or leaf extract to reduce stress

Step 2: Check Water Quality

Ammonia: 0 ppm

Nitrite: 0 ppm

Nitrate: <20 ppm

pH: 6.5–7.5

Temp: 80–82°F

Step 3: Tailored Treatment

Fin rot: Clean water, Indian almond leaves, aquarium salt (1 tsp/gal)

Ich: Increase temp to 82°F, treat with heat + salt or use ich meds

Bloating: Fast for 2–3 days, offer a blanched pea or daphnia

Injuries: Pristine water, low light, Indian almond leaf to heal naturally

Velvet/Fungal: Dim lights, consider meds like copper or antifungal treatments

Step 4: Support & Observe

Feed small amounts of high-protein food (live or frozen)

Observe behavior daily

Reduce stress: no sudden changes, quiet environment, soft light