Bloated Female Betta

[KrystaK]

I've had my Betta Sorority running for a month now. It's a 20 (US gal) tank with a full spectrum light. The tank was cycled prior to introduction. 
 
I have four girls in the tank (Started with six but two died due to trauma (Appeared to have swim bladder issues, lived for about a week and then died) The other had an existing illness, she was active but no matter how much she ate she just wasted away)
 
Anyways, the four girls in the tank have established their pecking order and all is doing well. Except my co-alpha (I say this because she has run of the tank, unless it's feeding time when the female who claimed a hollow decoration realizes there is food)
 
When I got these girls all appeared to be somewhere along in carrying some eggs. all have since slimmed out, except my co-alpha, who has just swollen to a larger size and now she is not symmetrical. Her scales aren't pine coning so I don't think it's dropsy. I thinks he may either be constipated or there may be something more complicated.
I've fasted for two days now but she doesn't seem any less bloated. She isn't lethargic or showing any signs of obvious pain other than being too large to be healthy. I shall try boiled peas in the morning, and if it clears her up I am no longer feeding flaked food (Which I know is a no-no, but I had a new container that I want to get used up before it goes stale.)
 
does anyone have any other suggestions on what may help her along?

 

[attibones]

Maybe you could try feeding some cucumber with the skin peeled off? I also use zucchini to help my fish. They get it twice a week, and it seems to clear up any constipation. Have you seen her poo recently?

 

[Wildbetta]

I personally do not recommend any other vegetable matter besides peas to bettas.  The only good that peas do is work like a laxative and not all bettas will even touch something like a pea anyways.  It won't hurt to try the pea so by all means try it.  I personally would fast for 5 days and see if anything changes with her.  Any other behavior changes?  

 

[RCA]

Sorry to hear about your girl, is it possible to take some pictures, from the side and top of her if possible?
 
Do you have a Betta Scoop vs a net?  I find mine swim into the scoop quite easily then I can place them in a container to take photos without causing any stress of them coming out of the water as with a net.  One thing I use as well as a purpose made Betta Scoop, is measuring scoops of various sizes.  Like 1 cup, 1/2 cup etc., these are great for all sorts of aquarium work  Mine are the round ones, but I know they come in other shapes too.

 

[Wildbetta]

Hmm never thought about using measuring scoops for stuff like that.  I will have to go to the dollar store and get a set to go with my other home essentials that are my fish stuff.  

 

[attibones]

I personally do not recommend any other vegetable matter besides peas to bettas.  The only good that peas do is work like a laxative and not all bettas will even touch something like a pea anyways.  It won't hurt to try the pea so by all means try it.  I personally would fast for 5 days and see if anything changes with her.  Any other behavior changes?  

I've never used them with betta fish, but I have with my community tank. I just assumed the betta wouldn't mind. Good info to know, though.

I do second the fasting though.

 

[KrystaK]

Well it's been about 5 days now and she is still bloated. I finally set up a separate tank for her so I could feed the other girls. 
 
I couldn't get any good pictures, so i took two videos in hopes that you guys could help me help her.
 

 

[372xp]

I am going to stick my neck out here nd tell you I dont think there is a massive problem here. She seems quite healthy a little barrel chested maybe but otherwise fine. Fish like people and everything else come in all shapes and sizes. Fish have been bred and bred to exagerate features and consequently when one appears that doesnt conform to the breed standard often it is viewed as somehow a bit dodgy. Plakat girls are long and sleek, c/t's are weedy etc etc. I have a female who is the same shape as yours and shes great, a little lazy but a lovely fish. Here is a picture of her alongside a pk female.
Just keep an eye on her, I think she will be fine.

 

[Wildbetta]

I agree.  She just looks like a chunky female to me.  I have had a couple who if everyone goes by the same body shape standard would definitely be setting off warning bells.  I had 4 sisters from a breeder that had no ventral fins.  This made them all look bloated and sick.  Here is a pic of the one that looked the "worst" but these girls were all very healthy.
 

 
 
Then I had a girl that was a severe rosetail which is often caused by the X-gene.  In males it cause extreme finnage and scale imperfections and in females it cause short chunky bodies with very tiny ventral fins and scale imperfections.  I had 3 of her brothers and 2 of her sisters.  2 of the brothers were severe rosetails and 1 was a rosetail but not anywhere near as severe as the other two.  The sisters seemed pretty normal but their finnage showed the rosetail geno.
 

 

[alanwebse]

This is really awesome all fish looking in a great condition.... nice one

 

[RCA]

You have a lovely girl there KrystaK and I would tend to agree she is just a "plumpy" (a new word), check out some pictures of my girls here and you will see they all vary, but can have that plump look.  I find the CT's the largest and when they eat they get even bigger, as they are little but are active and healthy.