Thanks for everyone's suggestions. On closer inspection of the betta (his
name is "Current") - it seems that the fins are actually there, just loosing
color. I guess this can happen as a result of temperature fluctuation, and
our house gets very cold at night. We have moved him to a 6 gallon tank and
added a heater. The first day with the new heater he was making bubble
nests, which he had never really done... This was fun to see.

I think his color may return, it is hard for me to tell but it looks a
little better. We have stepped up the water changes a bit (although I
thought we were pretty aggressive already) and are testing for amoniona
every day - ensuring it stays 0. I'm still confused on the ph levels - the
reading on my strips seem really low and I haven't quite figured out how
that relates to fish health...

On an earlier suggestion I posted the same question on the betta forum at
Aquamaniacs - almost everyone responded that he looked healthy and that
color loss may be a result of age - but to also check the temperature.

Check out Current in his new home, and thanks again - it so nice to find
you.

http://nwgamefacephotos.smugmug.com/...23995538-M.jpg


On 1/18/07 6:57 AM, in article
, "IDzine01"
wrote:

Three betta pellets per day is conservative but because Bettas are
prone to complications stemming from overfeeding it's usually better to
err on the side of less, particularly when feeding a diet of dry foods
like pellets. A couple of small feedings per day (two feedings of 3
pellets each) will help to avoid issues with constipation and bloating.

I agree Zebulon, her betta is a little on the thin side but I don't
think it's related to the bizarre scale loss. Potentially, it could be
the quality of food. I wonder if the food was very old and the vitamins
dissipated, if a nutritional imbalance could be to blame.


Any updates on your fish Deborah?


Zëbulon wrote:
============================
I wont comment on his missing scales but will on his food. That is not much
food unless those pellets are awfully large for a betta. I feed mine twice
a day, usually all they want each time. They live between 4 and 5 years.
Thier diet is a mix of dried "betta" food and frozen fish foods.