Last Chance For My Betta

[kismet]

Over Christmas I had someone care for my female betta, and as in other times, to make it simple I had them feed pellets. This time, when I came back my lil girl was bulging and most surely has an obstruction. On the advice of a friend, I added epsom salts, first removing the charcoal from my filter. This hasn't helped. Her color is good but she is of course listless, hanging out at the top of the water, where she can rest on a plant. I give her a very small amount of frozen brine shrimp on alternate days, which she eats quite eagerly. Any advice for what seems like a hopeless case?

 

[Syphoniera]

Hi, kismet,
it's probably not hopeless - a lot of betas have been in similar circumstances and come through with proper treatment.
Speaking as a non-expert: have you tried feeding tiny bite-sized bits of pea?
A lot of people feed peas weekly, as well as in emergencies - although regular pea-feeds tend to prevent the emergency part.
How long were/are the epsom salts (I believe salts actually have to be removed with water changes - no need to remove charcoal) left in the tank?
They help the fish absorb moisture, and while long-term use is not good, they can apparently be used for up to about a month when necessary for treatment.
Some people soak pellets prior to feeding, as they can swell up in the stomach and create such problems.
If she's prone to constipation, might want to consider doing that in future.
Although fish aren't made to digest grain, it's typically in commercial fish food sold in LFSs - it's surprising there aren't even more problems than there are.

Assuming she has a heater, what temperature is she at normally and right now?
Has she pooped at all?
I'm hoping somebody superhot at betta diagnosis and advice like LauraFrog or Wilder will show up soon - if they don't, you could try also posting in the emergency section; it really does sound like constipation.
In the interrim, you might try posting a few details on your tank, thereby helping identify potential issues.
They're such a worry, aren't they?

Edit; changed one part of a sentence, and not the rest to match.

 

[kismet]

The epsom salts have been in the tank for about 10 days - I didn't know about the salts not being removed by the filter, and I did replace the charcoal. I don't know if she's pooped or not She's in an 8 gal Biorb by herself, temp 78. I've typically fed her brine shrimp.

And yes, I hate to see her like this...

I will post in the emergency section - I haven't been on this site for awhile. I'll get some peas as well.

Thanks for replying

 

[Colin_T]

if her colour is normal and the scales on her body are not sticking out, and she is eating but not getting fatter, then she is probably fine and just fat or carrying eggs. If she stops eating, or has a long stringy white poo, or the scales stick out sidewayes, then it is probably an internal issue.
Try doing daily 50% water changes and gravel cleans for a week.
Feed her on daphnia (preferably live) and brineshrimp (frozen or live) and no dry food or frozen bloodworms for a couple of weeks.
You can try the crushed up peas. Pour boiling water over some peas for a few seconds and then squish them up. Offer a little bit at a time and remove any uneaten food after feeding.

 

[modaz]

nothig more that i can add, all suggestions correct

 

[kismet]

She shouldn't be carrying eggs (no male in sight, and I've had her for about 8 months!). So, you're thinking she is too fat to be swimming or doing much moving around? Should I feed her a bit every day or alternate what I've been doing.

I will do as you say and I do thank you for your advice!

if her colour is normal and the scales on her body are not sticking out, and she is eating but not getting fatter, then she is probably fine and just fat or carrying eggs. If she stops eating, or has a long stringy white poo, or the scales stick out sidewayes, then it is probably an internal issue.
Try doing daily 50% water changes and gravel cleans for a week.
Feed her on daphnia (preferably live) and brineshrimp (frozen or live) and no dry food or frozen bloodworms for a couple of weeks.
You can try the crushed up peas. Pour boiling water over some peas for a few seconds and then squish them up. Offer a little bit at a time and remove any uneaten food after feeding.

 

[Colin_T]

Female fish don't need males around to develop eggs. When they are fed well and kept in clean water at the correct temperature, they will develop eggs regardless of who else is in the tank with them. They do however need a male to breed and release the eggs.

If you can put some live daphnia in the tank then she can eat it throughout the day. Otherwise try feeding her each day with brineshrimp and peas.
Mozzie larvae are another good food to try her on. They are common in the garden in pots of water.

 

[kismet]

Female fish don't need males around to develop eggs.

OMG - do I feel stupid or what? Hello? Chickens!

Thanks for your information and advice!

 

[kismet]

I'm having trouble feeding her the mashed pea. She's never had it before, and when I tried holding it near her (as I said, she's pretty listless, hanging out on a plant and only gets excited when brine shrimp are held near her). So most of the pea fell to the bottom - she may have found some of it when I fed her brine shrimp and she swam down to follow some shrimp she missed. I give her brine shrimp soaked in water and fed with an eyedropper, since it's difficult to impossible to remove food in the substrate of a Biorb.

Hi, kismet,
it's probably not hopeless - a lot of betas have been in similar circumstances and come through with proper treatment.
Speaking as a non-expert: have you tried feeding tiny bite-sized bits of pea?

 

[Syphoniera]

I was just wondering, if the substrate is difficult to clean, is it possible that her water quality is affected by this?
I've never had or actually seen a Biorb - can guck be easily syphoned off of the gravel during waterchanges?
An 8 gallon's a pretty darn nice size for a (lucky) single betta - how often are her waterchanges normally conducted?
Are these real plants in with her, or artificial?
Because real plants can help maintain better water quality, and I'm kind of wondering how long somebody else was caring for her, and if they were as careful feeding as you...

Edit: the Typo Queen strikes again!

 

[Colin_T]

you can use a gravel cleaner to remove the gunk out of the substrate in any tank, including a bio-orb.
If she doesn't eat peas then don't bother about them. Just offer her daphnia and brineshrimp.

 

[kismet]

Because the substrate is part of the filtering system, stuff tends to get sucked down beneath it pretty quickly - I don't ever see anything lurking on top of the substrate for more than a short time. When I'm doing water changes (every 2 weeks) I then disturb the substrate (they're big rocky things) as well as get under the filter. The plants are not real, tho, but I might look into it and hopefully get to the LFS for some frozen daphnia today.

I was just wondering, if the substrate is difficult to clean, is it possible that her water quality is affected by this?
I've never had or actually seen a Biorb - can guck be easily syphoned off of the gravel during waterchanges?
An 8 gallon's a pretty darn nice size for a (lucky) single betta - how often are her waterchanges normally conducted?
Are these real plants in with her, or artificial?
Because real plants can help maintain better water quality, and I'm kind of wondering how long somebody else was caring for her, and if they were as careful feeding as you...

Edit: the Typo Queen strikes again!

Okay, how does a gravel cleaner differ from the siphon I use to remove water?

you can use a gravel cleaner to remove the gunk out of the substrate in any tank, including a bio-orb.
If she doesn't eat peas then don't bother about them. Just offer her daphnia and brineshrimp.

 

[Colin_T]

any hose can be used to syphon water out of the tank but a gravel cleaner has a wide bottle type attachment to it. As the water drains out thru the syphon hose, the gravel, dirt and debri gets picked up, circulates around the bottle part, and then the heavier gravel drops back down while the gunk gets removed with some of the water.
They are simple devices but extremely effective at removing gunk from the gravel. Go to your LFS and ask them to demonstrate a gravel cleaner for you. Most shops use them in their own tanks and are quite happy to show you how they work. Then you can either buy one or make one.

 

[kismet]

I'll do that -Thank you!

any hose can be used to syphon water out of the tank but a gravel cleaner has a wide bottle type attachment to it. As the water drains out thru the syphon hose, the gravel, dirt and debri gets picked up, circulates around the bottle part, and then the heavier gravel drops back down while the gunk gets removed with some of the water.
They are simple devices but extremely effective at removing gunk from the gravel. Go to your LFS and ask them to demonstrate a gravel cleaner for you. Most shops use them in their own tanks and are quite happy to show you how they work. Then you can either buy one or make one.

 

[LauraFrog]

Are you sure this is an intestinal obstruction? Sometimes an eggy female can also become lethargic and unhappy.

How much epsom salts did you use?

Try and feed her some peas, but a lot of my bettas won't take them so don't get too worried if she doesn't eat them. If she's got a bit of a temper, try putting another betta in a jar next to her tank. Bettas poo when they flare, if you're lucky.