What's the best way to tell my betta fish's age from pictures?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
I want to know how old my male veil tail betta fish is. Do you think you can help me with these pictures?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on June 20th, 2018
The best guess would be an adult. Unless you know the hatch date, it is difficult to be more specific. Adult Bettas are about 3 inches long. They reach this length anywhere between 7 and 12 months of age. His eyes are dark, his color is good and his fins are long. He's at least a year old. That would be my best "educated guess" based on the images provided.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on May 6th, 2017
Determining Chum's age is not an exact science by any means. However, certain characteristics can lead one to believe whether or not it is young, adult, or senior. If longer than about 3cm, it is most likely at least an adult. If you look at the fins, if they appear to be completely in tact, robust, and unfaded in color, you likely have an adult rather than a senior fish. More elderly fish tend to swim less and will tend to spend more time hiding behind objects if available. Older fish, betta included, can also have characeristic cloudiness to the eyes, known as cataracts.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Hello , How do I know how old my betta fish is.
Determining Chum's age is not an exact science by any means. However, certain characteristics can lead one to believe whether or not it is young, adult, or senior. If longer than about 3cm, it is most likely at least an adult. If you look at the fins, if they appear to be completely in tact, robust, and unfaded in color, you likely have an adult rather than a senior fish. More elderly fish tend to swim less and will tend to spend more time hiding behind objects if available. Older fish, betta included, can also have characeristic cloudiness to the eyes, known as cataracts.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
My betta is very small and is nearly three months old. The first picture I took of him this week, the second was when I first got him about a month ago. He eats betta food and krill, and is kept in a warm, filtered 3.5 gallon aquarium. pH level seems
It is possible his age was incorrect. Also, not all fish grow at the same rate. Many factors can affect growth. A full grown adult Betta measures about 3 inches. At 12 weeks, his size looks appropriate, but it is difficult to tell for sure from the images provided. As long as he is eating and active, don't be too concerned. Check out the link below for a growth chart for Bettas. Note, this is just one Betta monitored as he grew up and may not be representative of the species as a whole. https://nippyfish.net/2017/09/27/betta-growth-from-birth/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I asked this question a few days ago, but how long does it take a female betta to reach full size? I believe she's a Veiltail, and I got her when she was a baby, though I don't know how old she was when I got her. She's in a 1/2 gallon tank, I change
Bettas, both male and female, are considered "full grown" at about 7 months of age. There may be some growth until a year of age with most specimens measuring 2-2.5 inches in length.
Freddie looks to be in fine form in the images provided. Be sure to maintain water quality and temperature. Bettas do best between 78F and 80F. For water changes, use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
why is my betta losing his color? This just resently started. His appetite has not changed. He seems to be normal other then the color change. He is a male vail tail only two years old. I bought him at Petco and he has never been sick or lose of col
Bettas, and fish in general, may lose color due to old age. At 2 years of age, your fish is getting old. Their lifespan is between 3-5 years, average is closer to 3 though. Maintain pristine water quality. Test the water chemistry to confirm an absence (0 ppm) of ammonia and nitrites. Nitrates should read 20 ppm or less. Partial water changes can be done to stabilize chemistry and maintain quality. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Bettas do best between 78 F and 80 F.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I bought a "male betta" and he is about 6 months old now and he isn't growing his fins out. Should I be concerned? Am I doing something wrong?
Make sure you have a male instead of a female Betta. Determining sex can be tricky in young Bettas until about two months of age. You can post a picture in Jake's profile or attach an image to a new question. If he is indeed a male with short fins, check for signs of infection such as fin rots. Signs include ragged fins, clamped find or lethargy. Water quality plays a role in overall health, so make sure the tank or bowl had adequate filtration, chemistry and oxygenation. If necessary, there are medications that can be purchased to treat bacterial or fungal infections that contribute to fin rot. Check the aquarium section in your local Petco for broad spectrum medications. Follow label directions carefully.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi I have a 2yr old Betta, one day he was swimming very actively and 2 minutes later he was at the bottom of the tank not moving but sleeping and he has been doing this everyday every hour of the day for 4 days I'm worried about him Idk what's wrong
Check the water chemistry for elevated ammonia or nitrite levels. Perform partial water changes until the ammonia or nitrites read 0 ppm. Next, check the water temperature. Bettas do best between 78F and 80F. Low temps can affect activity in fish. At 2 years old, he is quite old for a Betta. His behavior may be age related.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a beta fish I have had for 5 years. The past month he has been laying in his tree just below the surface for long periods of time. He eats Top fin food pellets and he has attempted a few times to reach them but then gives up. I'm afraid he's n
A betta's life expectancy is 3-5 years. He may be at the end of his span. Check the water quality and water temperature. Either can cause stress and illness if not set properly. Water temp should be between 78 F and 80 F. A drop below 74 F can be dangerous. Use a home test kit to check for high levels of nitrites, nitrates and ammonia. Correct levels through water change with treated/conditioned water. Make sure he is able to reach the surface to breathe. You can drop the water level if necessary.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have these two fishes in 21 litres tank with filter the waterfall ones. I clean their tank every once a month. They are so happy and always active. I have gotten the orange fish since last year October I think? And the gold one since start of this
If they are less than a year old, it is difficult to reliably determine sex. Males will be more streamlined than females and, during breeding season, will develop white "dots" (tubercles) on the gill covers. Their vents will also be smaller and more oval shaped. Females will have larger, deeper bodies (for carrying eggs) and their vents will be rounder and more pronounced.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
How long does it take a female betta to reach full size? I've had mine for four months, and she's maybe a little less than half the size of full grown bettas I see in stores. I got her when she was a baby, but I don't know exactly how old. Is her siz
It depends on which variety/species of betta she is. Also, a photo would help. Honestly, as long as she is eating and acting fine I would not be too worried about her overall size. If you have her in a very small tank/bowl then you may have stunted her growth inadvertently. This article may help you. https://pets.thenest.com/make-bettas-grow-bigger-3705.html If you have more questions please feel free to post again.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Hey! Lately I have seen my Betta Fish lay on its side at the bottom of its fish tank. I’ve had this fish for almost 3 years and I’ve given it about 4-5 crumbs of fish food a day. My fish is lying on its side at the bottom of the tank and it sits ther
He is "old" for a Betta. Check the water chemistry and temperature. You can use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for an absence (0 ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20ppm or less. Perform partial water changes to stabilize chemistry and/or to improve water quality. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Bettas do best between 78 F and 80 F.
The cloudy eyes may be due to infection. Maintaining pristine water quality will help, but you may need a broad spectrum antibiotic as well. Look in the aquarium section of the local Petco for medication. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated. Even with treatment, there may be permanent damage to the eyes if the condition has been chronic.
The "laying down" is sometimes seen even in healthy fish. They may choose to lay on gravel or the broad leaf
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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