Why is my goldfish's tail black? Can it safely eat betta food?

Question

i have a couple questions....my goldfish is starting to get a bit of black on the very edge of its tail fin...why is this happening??...is it something thats being caused by my betta???...they do seem to be getting along fine now...my betta chases the goldfish around a little bit still but not like he used to & i havent seen him nipping at the goldfish's fins anymore either. i also wanted to ask if its ok if my goldfish eats the same food as the betta or is it bad for it or will it not eat it??? Pet's info: Fish | Betta | Male

Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS · Accepted Answer

That could be due to an old injury which is now resolving or possibly an initial fin rot disease. It is very important to monitor the development of this black spot and if getting bigger I would recommend a quite radical but logic approach. Begin by submitting a water sample for quality testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or a nominal fee. Clinical examination should always include a water quality check, even if you have done so already. Water testing should be performed with a quality test kit, measuring NH4, NO2 and NO3. High ammonia levels, PH imbalances may be responsible for these signs. Oxygen concentration and quality of the filters should be determined as well. If water quality is good and there are no major imbalances, your fish should get examined to look for any sign of bacterial/fungal infection and eventually water should be treated. Regarding the food, the requirements are very different as bettas are insectivores and goldfishes are mainly herbivores. Food for bettas are richer in proteins and should ideally not be used for goldfish but the other way round would be even worse, so between the two I would recommend betta's food. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Why is my goldfish's tail black? Can it safely eat betta food?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

What fish dog food helps dry skin if my dog eats Science Diet?

What's the best way to feed my hamster when I'm going on a trip?

Can chickens eat bell peppers daily and what about veggie salads?

Is Purina Layer Pellets good for chickens? What other feeds exist?

My newly adopted pet won't eat hay. What can I do to encourage it?

My mice eat all their food together from one bowl. Is this normal?

Share