Bloated Betta

[jameshughes1989]

I have a female betta that is fairly bloated. This is starting to have an effect on her swim bladder, and therefore struggling to swim. I know pees are good to feed them as i think shes just constipated but she wont eat. Is there anything else i can do?
Thanks

 

[aly_starh]

Starve her for 4 days, then feed her a de-shelled pea, if this doesnt work, after starving her feed her live foods.

Hope that helps

 

[jameshughes1989]

Starve her for 4 days, then feed her a de-shelled pea, if this doesnt work, after starving her feed her live foods.

Hope that helps

Thanks thing is, she hasnt even for 4 days as it is anyway. She just doesnt eat the pea. Ill starve for another day and try some live food.
Thanks for the quick reply

 

[Rezatii]

Are we sure that she's bloated and not just eggy? Can we see a picture? If she is try live food then pea?

-Rezz

 

[jameshughes1989]

Sorry cant get pic. I think she is slighty eggy but i believe she is bloated. I assumed thats why shes not eating. She is struggling to swim.

 

[betta fish]

Hi James, sorry to hear about this, when you view her from above do her scales stick out? she may have dropsy as she doesn't sound too well if she hasn't eaten for a while, though she may just be constipated, what is her normal diet? she may also be eggy but this can also lead to dropsy if she doesn't drop or re absorb the eggs, I have had two girls get this in the past I will see you later anyway and if you want I can let you have some epsom salts to give her a salt bath which may help.

 

[llamalord305]

Yes, it may be dropsy. How much of what do you usually feed?

 

[jameshughes1989]

Hi James, sorry to hear about this, when you view her from above do her scales stick out? she may have dropsy as she doesn't sound too well if she hasn't eaten for a while, though she may just be constipated, what is her normal diet? she may also be eggy but this can also lead to dropsy if she doesn't drop or re absorb the eggs, I have had two girls get this in the past I will see you later anyway and if you want I can let you have some epsom salts to give her a salt bath which may help.

Nope, dont think its dropsy, have encountered that before unfortunatly. Diet consists of mixture- ocean nutrition betta pellets, tetra betta flakes, weekly frozen or live bloodworm, and then pea once a week too. Ill just have to see how she goes. Hopefully wont lose her. Yes ill be seeing you soon. Thanks for your posts guys and girls

 

[loraxchick]

if she wont eat peas and is in fact constipated and not eggy or other, try getting a hold of some frozen brine shrimp...they have little shells on them that act as fiber and will help to push the food along her digestive tract.
epsom salt bath is a great idea too, especially since shes having trouble swimming. 1 tablespoon/gal of water. mix this in a separate tub, take her out of the tank and put her in the bath for up to 30 minutes. do this once a day and see if that helps things. if not, have you seen her poop recently? was it white and stringy/mucus-y? if so, get an internal PARASITE med and treat the whole tank. that could also be the cause of the bloating if its not eggs or constipation. sadly if it is dropsy in its early stages, not very much you can do im afraid.
best of luck

 

[jameshughes1989]

I have tried live food but she wont eat still. Today her swimming is a wee bit better, we'll just have to see how she goes.
Also I gave her a salt bath to see if that helps.

I really appreciate everyones comments and suggestions. Thanks


Ill keep you posted as to how she's doing!

 

[loraxchick]

I have tried live food but she wont eat still. Today her swimming is a wee bit better, we'll just have to see how she goes.
Also I gave her a salt bath to see if that helps.

I really appreciate everyones comments and suggestions. Thanks


Ill keep you posted as to how she's doing!

well keep up with the epsom salt baths once a day if you think that is helping...and keep offering once a day fiber, like peas or broccoli crowns, or brine shrimp...food soaked in garlic juice sometimes timulates appetite..might want to soa k so brine shrimp or peas in some garlic and see if she'll eat some fiber.
also keep an eye out for any stringy white poo in the tank, not necessarily just HER poop. many internal parasites are easily communicable. if you nitice these, you will need anti internal parstie med and treat the whole tank.
best of luck with her