Help

[athao04]

Hey everyone! I just bought a betta today and when I got home I noticed he couldn't stay at the top of the water. He would swim up to the top, then float back down. Doesn't have white spots or any external signs of damage(fin rot, tail biting, etc.). He's eating perfectly, fine. Could this be swim bladder? I know he was fed live black worms, which is what i am feeding, and I know they can cause swim bladder. If it is, I dont have anything to worry about, do I? If not, could you help me find out what it is? If you have any questions about what else is going on I will gladly answer them the best I can. This fish store is a very fine store, the betta's i have gotten there are top notch and healthy. Hes also got a great warranty on his fish.

 

[zoekin8yg]

was he actually just choosing to go down or falling?

 

[athao04]

Doesn't seem like he is choosing to. He swims up and it seems like his tail is too heavy. He is just laying on the bottom of the tank. . Swim Bladder? Other than that he looks fine.

 

[jollysue]

Barring another diagnosis, treat for constipation: fast a day or more, then feed pieces of squished/mashed (between your fingers) blanched pea. Do not leave leftovers in the tank.

Have you tested the water? or other water information...

Does he overeat? Black worm is a lot of protein. Black worms don't cause swim bladder. Overeating and constipation can. I suggest you reduce the feeding of meaty foods. Feed them once or twice a week as a treat. Fast one day a week, pea one day a week, treat one or two days a week, prepared Betta food the rest. If you cannot get him to eat the pea, fast him at least. Of course if he is hungry enough, he will eat the pea. He will come to like it.

 

[athao04]

Thanks Jollysue! Should I start with the pea? I am thinking this because wouldn't overeating result in a bigger stomach, which my new betta doesn't have? The bottom of the tank has no gravel, so I can see if he has pooped yet or not.

 

[jollysue]

So has he pooped? If he has been pooping, then it is probably not constipation. A fast day is rather a basic. It won't hurt him. A fast day, then a pea is the usual recommendation. At the very least it will help his bowels.

If he is eating and pooping, and he does have swim bladder, he is in trouble, I believe. Swim bladder that is not caused by intestinal problems may be the more serious damaged bladder.

I am not an expert, or even very good at diagnosis. Check all the basics, water, poo, etc. If they are all ok then it is time to get go to the next level. It is like diagnosing a car problem--before the computer.

 

[athao04]

He has yet to poop. So I will fast him one day then feed him the pee. Thanks jollysue!!

 

[Ravenwing]

How long has he been at your house? If you just got him, it may take a few days for them to continue eating. They've just gone through a lot, from being in a petstore, to the trip home, to your new home for him.

Just keep an eye on him, keep his water clean and let him rest. I believe there is a pinned topic on swim bladder problems...

I did have a few other questions for you, did you aclimate him properly? Are you using a decholorinzer? What's the water temperature? However, more then likely, he's just tired =)

Keep a close eye on him. Betta's can go a while with out eating anything (the longest mine went when I first brought him home was 3 days)

Good luck! And keep us posted on him!

 

[athao04]

Im at school now, and hes been acclimated into the water over a 2 hour period. He's in his 2.5 gallong. I fed him a mashed pea with the shell removed. He ate it up right away. Doesn't seem like he has problems with eating or being tired. He swims up and down tirelessly(word?). The way he swims though, it seems like his tail is too heavy for him to stay floating. Hes just a PK though, close to HM is from what I see. He flares nicely, he eats well, but I have yet to see a single drop of poop. Hopefully in the next day or so I will see something at the bottom of the tank. He seems pretty perky, just not able to swim up and stay there.

Ill for sure hit up the pinned topic on Swim Bladder. Thanks!!!

 

[jollysue]

That is definately a plus that he took to the pea. He should be fine!

 

[athao04]

Thanks for all the help and advice guys!! I appreciate it and im sure my betta does too. Seems to have perked up a bit, but still swimming funny. He will make a good recovery, im sure of it