Is my betta's appearance improved?

[verdant]

I'm feeling pretty bad about judging my betta like this, but I've noticed other people's bettas looking better and better over time, and I'm not sure if mine is following the same path. When I first got him in mid-June, he had those gorgeous, full-coloured fins, but they were a bit shorter (check out the first two pictures). Then he got really sick - I'm still not sure if it was Velvet or if I just wasn't feeding him enough (that's the third picture). Luckily, I was able to get him back on track by switching to frozen foods daily. But now I'm worried that might've affected his growth somehow. The back of his dorsal fin (I think that's what it's called?) is a bit transparent, like you can see in the fourth and fifth pictures. That's what he looks like now. Will those fins eventually develop some colour, or are they just gonna keep growing like this?

[lunarca]

@belleora I'm pretty sure I saw your comment on a similar post, and I was wondering, is the lighter colour on my betta's fin actually new growth, or could it be something else?

[verdant]

@belleora I recall reading your comment on a similar query. Is the lighter fin colour actually new fin growth?

I'm fairly sure that's the case, his fins do appear larger than before, so I'm making that assumption.

[lunarca]

He's looking really good, but I'm hoping some experts can chime in and put your mind at ease.

[roygun_1]

You're doing something right, that's new growth for sure.

[verdant]

Glad I could confirm that for you, new growth is always a great sign, keep up the good work.

[FinFan]

I think it's possible he was nipping at his fins or maybe had a mild case of fin rot, which caused the shortening. Thankfully, it looks like they're regrowing nicely now.

[belleora]

I seem to recall reading a similar query, and I think I remember belleora's comment on it. Is the lighter fin colour actually a sign of new fin growth?