Floating Betta

[ButterBot]

I recently purchased a betta and i have been keeping him in a one gallon fish tank next to my computer.

Lately hes been getting this bloated belly and is stuck floating at the top at the waters surface... he attempts to swim to the bottom but he slowly floats back to the surface.

A couple of the times i've looked at him he was floating on his side at the surface like he was dead... i tapped the fish tank to see if he was still alive and he moves.

Some days hes just fine without a bloated belly like it comes and goes, but i didnt want to see or think he was suffering so i decided to post this to see if anyone could help me.

I've read something about a "swim gland disorder" but i wasnt entirely sure what to do or if it was the same situation.


Does anyone know what i could do to keep or help him?

 

[WILDER]

Water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph.
How often do you maintain his tank.
Are his scales sticking out.
What do you feed the betta.
Is his breathing laboured.
Don't feed for a few days.
Try some peas, is he still eating.

Epson salt baths help draw the fluids out.
Bacterial med.

 

[WILDER]

I gallon tanks are abit of the small side they soon get polluted.
Also by the time you added subsrate, plants, ornaments, heater, filter there hardly any room left.
Don't think betta should be kept in less than 2 gals myself.

 

[ButterBot]

lately ive been changing the water every 2-3 weeks... i use a plastic water gallon, kinda like a milk container but it started as a water container, and it let it sit for the 2-3 weeks

his scales are not sticking out

his breathing seems normal from what im looking at

I feed him BettaMIn flakes (something they had at walmart with him)

ive tryed the epson salt, but i dont think it helped him any

 

[WILDER]

You should be doing two water changes a week in that size tank.
Do an immediate water change.
Take a sample of your water to the fls and tell them to write the readings down for you.
I would strongly suggest you invest in some liquid test kits of your own.
Diet is bad they need varied diets of frozen foods and veg.
Frozen foods like daphnia which is very good for digesting a fish food.
Brimestrimp good.
Cook some peas for a few minutes, pop out of shell and mush into small peices and add to the tank.
Don't feed the flake food for a few days.
I would add a bacterial med to his tank after the water change.

 

[WILDER]

Do you have a filter and heater in his tank?

 

[ButterBot]

no i do not.. i just purchased the gallon tank for a cheap $10 because im kinda short on money... and ive always wanted a betta

 

[WILDER]

It wise to read up on the welfare of the fish for there needs and how to take care of them properly.
You need a heater as unstable temps can cause desease and stress.
You need a little sponge filter there not very expensive.
Go over to the betta section will get alot of help over there.

 

[shelaghfishface]

you need to be changing the water a lot more often than you are even 4 times a week,, little and often, he needs a heater and a filter urgently,then as wilder says.. post in the betta section as soon as you can they know their stuff and will help you,
good luck tho
shelagh xxx