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Why does my Betta fish have lines on his gills?

Why does my Betta fish have lines on his gills?

Updated On October 25th, 2017

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

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The lines may be due to infection or inflammation. It is difficult to see exactly what you mean in the image provided. Most issues can be managed by providing clean water. Use a home test kit or submit a sample for testing. Most pet stores or aquarists will do this for free or for a nominal fee. With a Betta in a small tank, you can (and might need to) perform 100% water changes weekly or every other week to prevent toxins (ammonia, nitrites or nitrates) from building up to dangerous levels. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. Use conditioners, such as StressCoat or AmQuel/NovAqua, to make water safer to use. A heater should be used to maintain temperature between 78 F and 80 F. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt) can be used for a short time as a general tonic to improve gill function, reduce stress, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt per gallon of water in a cup of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for no more than 7-10 days.

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