Betta Fish Looks Bloated And Keeps Flopping On His Side

[Galanta]

My friends's betta fish has had a sudden problem for the last 8 days or so in that he cannot stay upright unless he props himself up against the glass. Temperature is 78 degrees and the water is fine. He has been constipated before and would look bloated and be unable to swim down but nothing like this!

We first though he was just constipated as he stomach looked huge, so we fed part of a pea, then nothing for 2 days. His stomach came down a little, so we fed another 1/2 pea and again nothing for 2 days. He pooped out the pea, but his stomach did not go down. He cannot stay upright and keeps flopping over and yanking himself up. Oddly enough his color looks totally fine and he has a great appetite - his stomach just looks bloated and he can't stay upright. All he has eaten in the last 8 days is 2 servings of pea and 2 betta pellets. After he eats something, he poops within 12 hours or so, so he is NOT constipated.


Does anybody know what this is and treat it? There has not been any improvement (nor real worsening for that matter) in 8 days now.

 

[ladybogusz]

It sounds like Swim Bladder to me , you can buy meds for this..Interpet are good brands and work for me but I'm not an expert.... someone will come along and help shortly.

 

[Galanta]

Thank you! Is there medication which says on the box/package "swimbladder" or do you know what it is called?

 

[ladybogusz]

INTERPET SWIMBLADDER TREATMENT No 13, can be found in any LFS very reasonably priced too.

Please make sure your friend knows the exact water capacity of the tank and follows the instructions carefully.

 

[Galanta]

Thank you! Will check LFS. I'm in the US, but hopefully they carry the same stuff. Thanks again.

 

[Galanta]

Well Petco was useless. They only had a few basic things like Maracyn One and Two, etc. I wil look for a more specialized fish store, but does anybody know if any of these basic medications could help with this swim bladder issue?