Fat Betta!

[fergalthefish]

my betta has had a really bloted tummy for over a week now and i thought he may be constipated so i havent fed him for a week and tried giving pea but i dont think he ate it. anyway he's still looking fat, basically he looks like he's eaten a marble and is having trouble swimming to the top although i have lowered his water and he now rests on his plant at the surface. so basically i'm wondering what the problem could be. if he is constipated how long can it go on and if its something else, what could it be? any ideas gratefully received.

 

[Winterlily]

Hiya... I went through this just recently. Not as severe as yours sounds I think, but... My guys, who love peas, won't eat them if just dropped full (or even half) into the tank. In the beginning, this is what I did: After boiling the pea for a while, peel the outer skin off. There will be two mushy halves inside. Scrape little tiny pieces off - about the size of their pellets - then sort of tease him with it on the surface, like it's live food swimming about. When he starts to chase, let it go and he should get it and eat it. Repeat with another tiny piece. And so on.

Another thing I heard a lot was to try Daphnia - some say it works even better than peas.

But. If he doesn't like the pea (or daphnia) at all and will not eat it - or if he's feeling so cruddy that he will not eat at all, try the epsom salt bath. Epsom salt is a natural laxative.... Here's a great link all about fishy constipation and what to do and how. If it's been going on this long and he's not wanting to eat, I'd go right for the epsom salt bath without delay.

The very best of luck to you and your little guy - let us know how it's going, won't you?

 

[lilacamy931]

All the best with your poorly man, how is he doing today?

 

[fergalthefish]

not good, i get a feeling i'm gonna lose him will try epsom salt bath today then may have to make a decision

 

[BettaChick14]

Oh No! Feel bad for you *hugs*
It's awful watching a fish suffer!
Hope he gets better! And please keep us updated!

 

[fergalthefish]

just an update - no change in fat belly! did epsom salt bath yesterday may try again today. i just don't know how long to keep trying or if i just prolonging his misery. i mean he looks really peed off (more so than normal lol), and just sits on his plant to stay at the surface but apart from that and his fat tummy of course he seems ok, if u see what i mean. anyway i shall carry on for a bit then..... who knows.
anyway thanks for all the kind words and interest, it really helps

 

[BettaChick14]

You could keep trying. It's up to you. If you think he is improving then keep going, but if it's just getting worse. You might have to think about putting him out of his misery.

 

[hensonc4098]

Do his scales look like they are sticking out if you look at him from above? If they do it could be dropsy

 

[fergalthefish]

Do his scales look like they are sticking out if you look at him from above? If they do it could be dropsy

i did thaink of that but i've seen dropsy before and this isnt the same really, the scales are not like the classic 'pinecone' you get with dropsy. now i'm thinking maybe its like a tumour? is that a possibility?

 

[irvs]

Sorry if i steal your thread but my betta has exactly the same condition, giant swollen belly. He has no problem eating but i still havent noticed him pooing. Ive been feeding him peas and feeding a little amount every other day (doing a fast day). He's been like this since the weekend and ive noticed its slowed him down alot taking more rests than usual but still active enough. Thinking ill have to put him down if no change by the start of next week, just isnt right.