Emergency - Betta ~ Bloated ~ Constipated?

[argie]

REQUEST HELP

Dear Readers,

I'm hoping to get help for my Betta, Argie. I'ver had him since Dec. '05, he's been healthy, active, eating well until now. At 7:30 this morning (5 hrs. ago) I noticed that he was bloated, had labored breathing, was not moving much, was taking big gulps of air at surface of water. At this time (12:15 p.m., California time) he is at the top of the water, nose pointed in the corner, breathing, his fins are open and extended rather than droopy (I think this might be a good sign.), his blue fin color is fading to light green (from the ends up) which worries me a lot!

Please get back to me as soon as possible. Is there any household items I can use to treat him? Or I can jump in the car and get him some medicine at a pet store.

Thank you.

Argie's Mom

Here's requested info.:

Tank size: 10 gal. filled half way (5 gals.)
pH:?
ammonia:?
nitrite:?
nitrate:?
kH:?
gH:?
tank temp: 72

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): (See above.) He ate a couple of earthworms (from my garden, no pesticides used in garden) within the last 2-3 days along with Betta Bites. I think I overfed him and that he is constipated. I haven't fed him today and am waiting to see... I believe this is an overfeeding problem and am asking for suggestions on how to treat constipation and bloating.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: (See above) Weekly; also siphon debris out from bottom of tank

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: see below.

Tank inhabitants: only water plants (have had for many weeks and don't create a problem) and thermostat

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): none

Exposure to chemicals: none; I treat water with API Tap Water Conditioner (Aquarium Declorinator) I've used this product since I've had him and don't have problems with it.

 

[WILDER]

I would do an immediate water change, do you have your stats, can you issolate the fish.
As we need to issolate the fish if it is constipation, try some shelled peas, boil a few minutes in boiling water, let cool down, then pop out of shell, mush between fingers and add to her bowl.
Also i would advise some salt that why i think it's better to issolate her as epson salt is good for swelling.

http/www.petfish.net/articles/Bettas/constipation.php

 

[black angel]

Wilder the fish is in on its own and she has no stats


Try the water change as suggested and if you can, add a heater and turn it up really slowly to 80f as the warm water will help ease anything through the gut.

Dont feed for three days and then try some fresh/frozen or dried daphnia to get things moving.

A betta has a really tiny tummy but they can eat far more than they should so really no more than two betta bites per day and a couple of bloodworm.

 

[WILDER]

Sorry saw 10gal and assumed there could be other fish in the tank.

 

[argie]

Dear Wilder and black angel,

Thank you for your replies and web site! Really appreciative! I'm heading out to the market for peas, e. salt, toothpicks. Will try heat, too. I don't have the water tester stuff to check for stats. Will see if I can get one from PetCo.

Blessings, Argie's Mom

 

[WILDER]

Ok, good luck.