Betta With Very Bloated Abdomen

[wodesorel]

We got the new red guy about two months ago. He's by himself in a fully cycled and filtered 7 gallon. I do water changes about once a week since it's just him. Our other two betta who are in different tanks are doing fine. They all get pellet food - mostly Hikari with some Wardley thrown in for a change of pace.

About a week and a half ago I noticed that the red guy's stomach was swelling up and I asked my hubby to stop the food, thinking that he was just being overfed. However, his abdomen just keep getting larger by the day! It looks like a giant water balloon, and the light goes right through it. He's acting normal and is swimming fine. Has an appetite, though I'm only feeding him every other day because I'm afraid of his stomach rupturing. I've seen him going bathroom so I really don't think it's constipation. His scales are all smooth like they should be, even where he's swollen so it can't be dropsy.

I'm thinking it might be parasites? I gave him some anti-parasite food the last two days and now he has a clear string of "poo" sticking out. I'm just at a loss because I've never seen a betta get that bloated of a stomach before. I'm getting worried because it keeps getting larger. Any ideas? I can post photos if necessary!

 

[BethK]

Would you be able to post a pic?

 

[wodesorel]

I had been trying for a picture all afternoon. He wouldn't stop attacking the camera!

Here's a close-up where the white stringy "poo" is visable:

And of his whole body:

In comparison, these are pictures I took the day we brought him home:

 

[BethK]

My guessing is that it's a bacterial infection; bettas commonly get stomach ulcers/infections. Have you used Maracyn2 or Maracyn Plus, at all?

But being swollen like that, could bring on dropsy, so keep an eye on scales pine coning.

Have you tried feeding him peas?