Constipated Betta

[fergalthefish]

my betta has been constipated for a few days now, i havent fed him since monday and he is still constipated. how long can he go like this? i'm worried he may never poo again!! i had an angel fish that was constipated and it died cos its bum went all manky and i don't want this to happen to my little guy!! i've read about the pea trick but i'm loathe to just add more stuff to his already overloaded tummy so i'm at a bit of a loss. any ideas?? thanks in advance.

 

[jasminekiddell]

Well the pea should help, not overload the tummy.
Just cook a pea then deshell it and cut it into a small bite size that your betta can fit in its mouth.
Ive never used this method myself, personally i use bloodworm but thats with goldfish.
So try the pea not too much tho!

 

[lilacamy931]

Pea trick is best way to go, Cook as suggested above, mush it for him and give to him now,do not feed him following day, if still no result try again with pea (do not feed any other food in the meantime). If the pea does not work a epsom salt bath may do the trick especially if getting really worried.

 

[BettaChick14]

Peas are great! Smooths out the fishes tummy. Just microwave it in some water for about a minute
then deshell it and cut I little tiny piece of it. I feed my betta a little piece once a week just to keep things
running smoothly.

 

[fergalthefish]

well i did the pea thing but he never ate it, just wasnt interested and the bits just sunk to the bottom!! how long can he go without a poo?? i've read about epsom salt bath but is it safe?

 

[crissylou]

You could try an epsom salt bath, i'd try again with another pea though first as a salt bath can be very stressful on the fish. Good luck, make sure you mush the pea up, mine only take it if it's mushed right up x

 

[fergalthefish]

ok so now i'm getting really worried. he's still constipated (i presume thats the problem!!), hasnt eaten any pea and now his eyes look like they're gonna pop out his head!!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lilacamy931]

Post in emergencies on using epsom salt bath, I dont know the right ratio to use but if looking that bad i would get on it in that way. Peeps over that way should be able to help on using..

 

[loraxchick]

for an epsom salt bath it is 1 tbsp/ gal. can leave him in the bath for up to 30 minutes. but this remedy is for dropsy (draws fluids OUT, which would make the constipation worse...i think you are thinking of aquarium salt bath, mixed in similar proportion).
have you tried flaring him with a mirror? this sometimes stimulates them to poop. what sort of foods are you feeding him? most likely the root of the cause. try soaking dried foods (even pellets) before you feed. makes them soft and lessens the chance of constipation.
i would not try the salt bath. if it were me, id feed very very sparingly and keep trying peas. starve...peas, etc. give the flaring trick a try. hopefully that will make him go. are you certain the swollen belly isnt internal parisites? hoe is his balance in the water (as constipation often leads to swim bladder issues)?
best of luck!

 

[BettaChick14]

Hmmm... well I think you'd have more luck posting this in the Emergancy section.
My betta loves peas. Could you try putting the pea in the filter wave of water so the pea
flys around in the tank. He might think it's alive and chase it and eat it.

 

[lycaena]

i discovered that making sashimi flare makes him poop! if i put a mirror in front of him for a couple minutes he starts poopin. i guess he gets so excited about flaring at his reflection he just lets it all go. and flat tummy afterwards i dono if thats the nicest way to do it but it sure makes me feel better that his belly isnt gonna explode

 

[fergalthefish]

in answer to loraxchick's question his balance is a bit off and he's not swimming much, maybe cos his tummy is so heavy!!!! ok i'll try to make him flare but i wonder how long can he go without a poo!!

 

[BettaChick14]

How is he doing? Any changes?

 

[fergalthefish]

no
maybe i try posting in emergency section.

 

[BettaChick14]

Good Luck!