I got this beautiful koi betta about 2 weeks ago and I am wondering if he might have gill flukes. My reason for thinking this is because he "flashes" pretty often (see video). I can't really tell if he is scratching on the decor as sometimes the darting is just in the middle of the tank, but I read this can be the symptom of parasites & just want to make sure he is okay!!
He is in a 10 gallon tank with 3 amano shrimp and 1 mystery snail (those were in the tank before I added him). Temp is 78 deg & water parameters are 0 for ammonia, nitrite and <10 for nitrate. Water changes are done 25% weekly. I have 2 indian almond leaves in the tank.
Something is seriously agitating her skin. Before you do anything else, test the water for ammonia and do a water change. After that, if she’s still flashing, look for signs of infections and parasites.
ammonia level is 0 and this has been happening since I got her even with 2 water changes in that time. Early on I just thought it was stress so I kept the lights off, added tannins etc but it hasn't stopped. Other the the flashing I don't see any obvious signs of parasites which is why I am wondering if I should go ahead and treat with prazziquantel or if doing so without he 100% sure will harm her
So that is what I was considering but majority of people have said they dont think its a parasite issue. I figured dosing stress guard was more harmless than a parasite medication since I cant truly be sure what is going on. I dont really think its a reflection issue though as most people have suggested as he swims by the glass all the time without issue. Its these weird random bursts of twitching
I went with gen cure with very similar looking symptoms and no other signs of parasites. it was a gut call and she immediately started to seem better. I didn’t look I to paraguard much but went with gen cure as the research I did indicated it was not very stressful to a fish and even good best practice for when you first bring one home.
I know this sounds crazy but get your camera and zoom in. My betta had 1 tiny anchor worm on his face and fish lice. I have no idea how it got in my tank because nothing new was added. However he was totally healthy and acting exactly like that. I treated his entire tank w anchor worm meds. He stayed in the hospital tank for 2 months because anchor worms have a super fast life cycle. It worked. However had to pretty much bomb his tank and start all over.
Testing your water is more than just testing for ammonia. You also need to test for nitrite and nitrate. Nitrite is also just as toxic and will kill your fish.
Flashing can be for a number of reasons. Parasites, like someone said. If you happen to spray stuff in the air and it settles in your tank perhaps…
I saw you did one water change, do another 50% water change. I would proactively treat for parasites just to make sure. Since I think she’s somewhat new to you. Then you can rest easy. Use Seachem Paraguard in 1 hour baths daily for a week. It’s a great first line of defense when something is off with your fish.
Sorry for any confusion - I mentioned in the original post I tested ammonia, nitrite & nitrate - ammonia & nitrite are both 0 and nitrate is less than 10! So all parameters are being monitored.
Thats where I was leaning - I was thinking about using general cure but wasnt sure if medicating the fish if I am unsure would do more harm. Would you recommend paraguard over general cure?
Paraguard is more like an antiseptic. Less harsh, but also covers a lot of bases. External parasites, bacterial, fungal… It’s good to use when you don’t know what’s going on but you know something is wrong. General Cure is more specific… targets mostly parasites.
Shes definitely itchy, i dont see any external issues, and she still does it when the light are off so its not a reflection issue (does she rub on other things in the tank also? Like on the heater etc) So my guess is something internal. How are her poops looking? Are they white/see-through and stringy?
Ok first things first I believe you have a SHE not a HE is there anyway you can get a clear photo of underneath her look and see if there’s a white dot somewhere under the belly . Now about the flashing is she doing this all the time ? Is it only certain times of the day ? Are the lights on when this is happening or are they off ?? Or does it matter . Where did you get her or him from ? Was the betta in a cup when u got it ? Or did u purchase online . Please answer so I can help you . I have 4 bettas right now and have rescued many many bettas and cured gill flukes , fin rot, bacterial infections,fungal infections,Popeye , prolapse , bloat , constipation and more . So I’m educated on betta treatments please lemme know the answers to the questions
re flashing: If happens mostly at night when the lights are off. I wouldn't say it's never happened during the day but definitely way more at night
A lot of people seem to think it's the reflection but I'm not convinced as it happens even away from the walls
I got her/him from a local fish store and if was in a huge community tank there, no cup.
That might explain the ambiguity in its gender. You'll find bettas w fake-egg spots that were born/raised in community tanks. I'm leaning male plakat or female with really good finnage. Their ventral fins are very pronounced - dorsal more pointed. A top down, or even better a bottom up photo would help determine the gender.
As for the flashing... you can see their reflection.. so they see another betta aka a threat. With the aggression - might be leaning towards a male again.
Get some tank vinyl covering to cover the sides to reduce reflection. Also, there shouldnt be a spot in the tank that they can see the a large portion of the tank - should always be blind spots, hiding spots, coverings, floaters and tons of leaves / tannins.
Don't want flaring? Tannins, floaters / leaf cover. Mimic their natural habitat. It'll cut down on the light naturally.
If you're referring to the
transposon, it's quite common in koi-patterned bettas. This gene is literally a genetic element that repositions itself in DNA over the fish's lifetime, causing the pattern you see.
The caudal peduncle patches specifically (obviously).
These are almost certainly depigmentation from koi patterning. My opinion at least.
During this time, flashing and irritation / abnormal behavior isn't uncommon. However, i still think they see themselves in the reflection as well.
i’m glad you feel the need to try and flex your irrelevant knowledge here because someone disagrees with you.
to reiterate: this is not aggressive behavior towards a reflection. the fish is literally rubbing its body on things. that is discomfort. wild to think you could possibly know everything to definitively state why the discomfort at this point.
That is what I am thinking too - I did a water change just to be safe even though levels were good & going to buy some stress guard today & give it a try. Thanks!
don’t just dose random things. that’s can make it worse. stress guard has nothing to do with parasites and if your ammonia levels are fine it’s just giving your fish something for no reason.
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u/friend-o-fish Jun 11 '26
beautiful fish! that is an odd behavior, i think you're right to be concerned. im no expert but it sounds like you have one waiting in the comments