What is wrong with my betta?

[its_lauren]

He's active and friendly as usual, but the front of his dorsal fin started turning white a few days ago. It spread down to the top of his body. All of his scales are in tact and the fin is still in perfect shape except for the loss of color. I work at petsmart and I've read through all their books and everything and I can't figure out what it is. He's just perfect except for loss of color in that one area. I don't want to medicate him until I know what it is because if I guess wrong, I'll risk overmedicating my baby, and people tell me about meds killing their fish all the time. :[

Any ideas?

[Hunna]

The only time I have ever had a fish loose color was either lack of oxygen or too cold of a water temp. I'd check those things first.

[laddiecat]

Sometimes bettas will loose their color under stress. Did the books tell you that? How old is your betta. Age might be the problem...