Is this pop eye or dragon scale?

[Ladyhawk]

Hi there, can anyone tell me if this is pop eye? I have a red platinum betta and have just learned that they are prone to dragon scale. Both of his eyes are like this. I can't tell if its pop eye because even though they do look like they are bulging I haven't seen a case of pop eye where the eyes clod over!

 

[EllRog]

Could be abit of both, definetly looks blind though. Are both eyes the same? The fish itself is a dragon scale and dragon scale bettas are prone to eventually having the scales grow over their eyes. The fish can still live happily if its keeper adjusts its tank and routines to its needs to help it along. I might be wrong, but I think @Essjay had a betta once who had the same problem so she might have some tips that'll help. For example, feeding the fish from the exact same spot, tapping the tank to signal meal times and removing anything from the tank which the fish could bump into and injure itself, etc

 

[Sgooosh]

Could be abit of both, definetly looks blind though. Are both eyes the same? The fish itself is a dragon scale and dragon scale bettas are prone to eventually having the scales grow over their eyes. The fish can still live happily if its keeper adjusts its tank and routines to its needs to help it along. I might be wrong, but I think @Essjay had a betta once who had the same problem so she might have some tips that'll help. For example, feeding the fish from the exact same spot, tapping the tank to signal meal times and removing anything from the tank which the fish could bump into and injure itself, etc

yeah it does look abit infected

 

[Essjay]

I did once have a betta with this problem, and interestingly he was the same colour as yours.
Your betta (and mine) is a dragonscale, and this type has extra thick scaling which is prone to growing over their eyes. They can still find their way around the tank using their other senses, but I always made sure that when I cleaned the tank, if I moved any decor I put it back in exactly the same place, and I always put his food in exactly the same place. I didn't do this, but other members have said that they tapped gently on the tank just before feeding and the betta quickly learned that the tapping meant food and swam to the feeding place ready.


This is my betta. He was completely bind in one eye with limited sight in the other.



And when I first got him (yes, I did have fake plants back then )

 

[Ladyhawk]

Could be abit of both, definetly looks blind though. Are both eyes the same? The fish itself is a dragon scale and dragon scale bettas are prone to eventually having the scales grow over their eyes. The fish can still live happily if its keeper adjusts its tank and routines to its needs to help it along. I might be wrong, but I think @Essjay had a betta once who had the same problem so she might have some tips that'll help. For example, feeding the fish from the exact same spot, tapping the tank to signal meal times and removing anything from the tank which the fish could bump into and injure itself, etc

Thank you for replying! Yes, both eyes are the same. I bought a feeding ring yesterday and started tap training so he knows when I'm feeding. I feel so bad for him! He can see somewhat for now but spends a lot of time in his cave or at the bottom of the tank. Even with the feeding ring the food still floats to the bottom too quickly so I turn off the filter before I feed now. I hope he responds to the tap training

 

[Sgooosh]

Thank you for replying! Yes, both eyes are the same. I bought a feeding ring yesterday and started tap training so he knows when I'm feeding. I feel so bad for him! He can see somewhat for now but spends a lot of time in his cave or at the bottom of the tank. Even with the feeding ring the food still floats to the bottom too quickly so I turn off the filter before I feed now. I hope he responds to the tap training

oh then it looks like natural blindness then

I did once have a betta with this problem, and interestingly he was the same colour as yours.
Your betta (and mine) is a dragonscale, and this type has extra thick scaling which is prone to growing over their eyes. They can still find their way around the tank using their other senses, but I always made sure that when I cleaned the tank, if I moved any decor I put it back in exactly the same place, and I always put his food in exactly the same place. I didn't do this, but other members have said that they tapped gently on the tank just before feeding and the betta quickly learned that the tapping meant food and swam to the feeding place ready.


This is my betta. He was completely bind in one eye with limited sight in the other.

View attachment 137742

And when I first got him (yes, I did have fake plants back then )

View attachment 137743