It becomes a matter of concern when our betta fish start losing their color. Multiple factors can be the reason behind your betta fish losing color and getting black. So, why is my betta fish turning black? Let us find out.
Betta fish start getting darker as they mature (Especially marbled betta). However, if your betta shows additional signs like lethargy, stress, and avoiding eating, then inadequate water parameters and stress are the reasons. Ensure regular feedings and good water conditions to prevent such issues.
This article will discuss all the possible factors behind your betta fish turning black, and also we will discuss how we can enhance our betta color. So, let us get into it.

Contents
My betta fish is turning black.
Many betta keepers come with this issue of their betta fish losing color and getting black.
However, betta fish turning black is not an issue, as it is normal in bettas.
If your betta fish is healthy and you know that the water conditions it is living in are perfect, there is nothing to worry about your betta turning black.
Bettas get darker as they get mature and also when they recover from some injury.
If your betta fish is showing other signs like hiding most of the time, avoiding eating, and coming under stress, then there is an issue.
Also read: Why Is My Betta Fish Losing Color And Turning White?
Is it normal for a betta fish to turn black?
Your betta fish turning black is not an issue until they show other signs of illness.
Bettas normally change their color and become darker as they get mature.
Especially if you have marbled bettas and notice them changing color, it is completely normal as they do it.
It is an issue if your bettas show other signs like lethargy, not eating, physical injury, and spots in their body and fins with changing color. Otherwise, it is entirely normal in bettas to change color.
Will my betta fish recover back its natural color?
If your betta fish has turned black naturally due to genetics, it is not possible to recover its color.
If there are other environmental issues behind your betta fish turning black, then eliminating that issue will help you recover your betta fish color.

Usually, betta fish lose their color because of inappropriate water conditions, including parameters and poor conditions.
So providing your betta fish with adequate water conditions will help you recover their color.
What are the reasons behind my betta fish turning black?
As discussed above, betta fish turning black is not an issue until they show other signs of illness, stress, and injury.
If it is not normal and your betta fish is showing signs of illness, stress, and other issues, these are the reasons behind that:
- Inadequate water parameters
- Poor water conditions
- Stress
- Illness
- Injury
Inadequate water parameters
Inadequate water parameters are the primary reason your betta fish lose color and turn black.
Bettas are very sensitive to water parameters and conditions.
They will come under stress and will become weak.
Inadequate water parameters will make your betta fish suffer from critical issues as they lose their appetite and start avoiding eating.
All of these will impact their color and become pale and darker.
Poor water conditions
As discussed above, bettas are very sensitive to water conditions.
Bettas require clean water conditions with 0 ammonia and nitrite.
Even a slight amount of ammonia in the tank will make them suffer from a life-threatening issue.
They will get affected by ammonia burns, which will leave black spots on your betta’s fins and body, making them look darker.
Stress
As inadequate water parameters, stress is also the primary reason for your betta fish getting darker.
Your betta fish can come under stress because of the following reasons:
- Inadequate water parameters
- Unstable water temperature
- Irregular feeding
- Presence of more aggressive and bigger fish in their tank
- Lack of hiding spots in the tank.
Illness
Illness may be the reason behind your betta fish losing its color and turning black.
If your betta fish is suffering from a black spot disease, it will develop black dots all over its body.
Black spot disease is a parasite that can develop in your tank because of the poor water quality and overcrowded tank.

Also, you must know that it can transfer from tank to tank by the water and net.
Betta fish suffering from black spot disease will appear dull, lethargic, and skinny.
Injury
Physical injury can also be the reason behind your betta fish losing color and becoming darker.
When betta gets injured, they will not recover from their natural color.
The recovered skin will look darker in color.
It is normal in fish, and there is nothing to worry about.
How to enhance my betta fish color?
Ensure all things to enhance your betta fish color:
- Provide your betta fish with adequate water parameters.
- Ensure good water conditions in your betta tank.
- Feed your betta fish regularly with high-quality food.
- Provide your betta fish with a stress-free environment.
Adequate water parameters
The primary reason your betta fish lose color is inadequate water parameters, and ensuring adequate water parameters for your betta fish will help you enhance their color.
Bettas are freshwater fish and require a well-heated tank to thrive.
Provide your betta fish with a water temperature between 78-82 °F.
Also, the unstable water temperature will put your betta fish under stress, becoming prone to various diseases and parasites.

So, to ensure stable water temperature, consider adding a heater to your betta tank.
The water pH level of your betta tank should be between 7 and 8.
Also read: What Is A Good Water Temperature For Betta Fish?
Good water conditions
Providing your betta fish with good water conditions will help you enhance their color.
To ensure good water conditions, consider performing a water change of 20-30% weekly.
Whenever you perform a water change, treat the water you will add with a water conditioner to dechlorinate it.
Consider adding a good filtration system with bio media to ensure good water conditions and protect your betta tank from harmful toxins like ammonia and nitrite.
Bettas are very sensitive to ammonia and nitrite, so it is necessary to regularly check on ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate and maintain ammonia and nitrite at 0 ppm, whereas nitrate should be below 20 ppm.
We recommend using the API freshwater master test kit to check ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate regularly, as it shows an accurate result.
Feed high-quality food regularly.
Food plays a very vital role in enhancing your betta fish color.
Feeding your betta fish with high-quality food will help you enhance their color.
Feed your betta fish three to four pellets or any other food twice daily to ensure adequate feeding.
Avoid overfeeding your betta fish by feeding them in small portions suggested above, as they have a stomach size similar to their eye, and anybody can end up overfeeding them.
Feeding them regularly with good-grade food will keep them healthy and stress-free, which will help you enhance their color.
Also read: Can Betta Fish Eat Bloodworms?
Provide stress-free environment
Stress is also the primary reason behind discoloration in bettas.

To ensure a stress-free environment for your betta fish, make sure of these things:
- Ensure adequate water parameters by maintaining water temperature between 78-82 °F and pH level between 7 and 8.
- Add a heater to your betta tank to ensure stable and warm water temperature.
- Provide your betta with ample space of at least 5 gallons per betta.
- Create plenty of hiding spots for your betta fish.
- Betta fish will love to live in a highly planted tank.
- Ensure to maintain ammonia and nitrite at 0 ppm, and nitrate below 20 ppm.
- Avoid adding fish that is more colorful and bigger than your betta.
- Avoid adding more than one male betta in the tank.
- Feed your betta fish regularly with betta pellets and other live food.
Conclusion:
If your betta fish is changing its color and turning black, you don’t have to worry, as this is normal in bettas.
Bettas get darker in color as they mature, which is natural.
Especially if you have marbled bettas, they will change their color and become darker.
However, suppose your betta fish shows other symptoms like illness, stress, lethargy, and avoiding eating. In that case, there is something wrong going on, and you have to eliminate the issue as soon as possible.
Poor water conditions, inadequate water parameters, and stressful environments can make your betta fish suffer from such conditions.
Ensuring good water conditions, adequate water parameters, and regular feeding with high-quality food will help you prevent such issues and help enhance your betta color.
Reference: Wikipedia