Gray spots on head

[MargaretAnn]

My female betta “Fishy” has recently developed some light gray spots on her head. Other than the spots she is acting normally. Any ideas on what it might be?

 

[Colin_T]

Hi and welcome to the forum

Have you checked the water quality for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate & pH?
If yes, what were the results (in numbers)?

Can you post another picture showing the fish from the side and not against a blue backing?

It could be colouration, excess mucous or something else. But if the water is good and the fish is still eating and acting normally I would just monitor over the next few weeks and if things get worse, post another picture.

 

[MargaretAnn]

I just checked the water quality. PH= 7.0, ammonia = 0.25, nitrite = 0, nitrate= 0
“Fishy” is in a 2.5 gallon tank. Here’s a side view.

 

[Colin_T]

There is a small amount of ammonia in the water that might be irritating the skin and causing it. Try doing a 75% water change each day for a week and gravel clean the substrate if you can. Then see if it looks any better.

Basically any time there is any ammonia or nitrite in the water, or the nitrate is above 20ppm, you want to do a big water change to dilute it and try to get it back to 0.

Fish are fine with a 75% water change as long as the new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it is added to the tank.