My Betta Is Always Constipated.

[snowflake311]

My Delta tail male has become constipated. He was showing signs of this a few weeks ago. I stopped feeding him for a 3 days then gave him a pea. He was better within an hour of eating the pea. So I though oh he's better. I fed him ONE pellet the next day. Soon after he was swimming funny again. By swimming funny I mean he can't seem to stay down and always floats up. He is fine other wise. He looks great makes. works on his bubble nest and still get excited when he thinks I am going to feed him.

I feed him what I feed all my bettas The Hikari Betta bio-gold. I have used it for over 10 years and I have only had one other betta get constipated but he got better on his own. This one just can not stay regular. It's getting annoying what should I feed him to keep this from happening. Should I just give him peas? The pea works but he just keeps getting backed up. I have never had this before. He was fine when I got him 2 months ago just recently has this problem started. I have only over fed him like twice by accident that was awhile ago he was fine. I only feed him 2 or 3 pellets a day.

He lives in a 5 Gal tank by himself. I have a filter and a heater for him. I do regular water changes.

Should I try the Epsom salt?


what food would be best?

 

[wilsonnw8]

This is advice I follow by velvet dragon

When SBD is observed with no other symptoms or known causes, it is best to begin treatment for constipation. Most of the time, SBD will clear up immediately when the fish is no longer constipated.

Keep the water super clean and warm.
If possible, leave the tank's bottom bare (no gravel, rocks or marbles), so you can monitor the fish's feces. A hospital tank may be useful.
Encourage the betta to flare by placing another betta's tank nearby, or showing the betta a mirror. Bettas often poo when they flare.
Fast the fish for three days. No food at all.
On the fourth day, feed the betta a blanched (frozen-thawed) pea. For bettas, as obligate carnivores, the pea consists mostly of undigestible fiber, which is wonderful for clearing out the digestive tract. Most bettas find peas extremely palatable!

I would also perhaps try another feed, or alternating feeds there is a chance your boy has a build up of the same proteins and materials in Bio Gold, not that its not an excellent food (I use it myself) but also try bloodworm etc which have natural oils that can 'help' the process along!

good luck!

Tilly

 

[lilfishie]

i had the same sort of thing with 1 of my bettas, he started doing it one day and did it right up until he died , in the end i kept him in a lower water level and tried to keep peas a regular food for him, hope this helps and hope he's ok

 

[snowflake311]

This is advice I follow by velvet dragon

When SBD is observed with no other symptoms or known causes, it is best to begin treatment for constipation. Most of the time, SBD will clear up immediately when the fish is no longer constipated.

Keep the water super clean and warm.
If possible, leave the tank's bottom bare (no gravel, rocks or marbles), so you can monitor the fish's feces. A hospital tank may be useful.
Encourage the betta to flare by placing another betta's tank nearby, or showing the betta a mirror. Bettas often poo when they flare.
Fast the fish for three days. No food at all.
On the fourth day, feed the betta a blanched (frozen-thawed) pea. For bettas, as obligate carnivores, the pea consists mostly of undigestible fiber, which is wonderful for clearing out the digestive tract. Most bettas find peas extremely palatable!

I would also perhaps try another feed, or alternating feeds there is a chance your boy has a build up of the same proteins and materials in Bio Gold, not that its not an excellent food (I use it myself) but also try bloodworm etc which have natural oils that can 'help' the process along!

good luck!

Tilly

Yeah I am just going to keep giving him peas it seems to work like magic. I did not give him any food for 3 days. Then gave him a pea last night. He is swimming like nothing ever happened. I am not feeding him today. I will give him a little tomorrow. I want to make sure he is all cleaned out.

The magical pea.

 

[nosoup4you]

You should try soaking your pellets first...it could be that he is taking in too much air with his pellets.

 

[snowflake311]

You should try soaking your pellets first...it could be that he is taking in too much air with his pellets.

Interesting I will try that. Today is he doing very well he is very happy and swimming like he should. So I gave him one pellet and half a pea. We will see how that goes. I will try wetting the pellets first from now on.

 

[newfishy]

exlax poured right in the tank water....


just kidding, exlax would be bad. nosoup sugested soaking the pellets first, you could get garlic and crush it and soak the pellets in the garlic juice, it will soften the food, make it taste yummy for the betta, and has some antibacterial properties which are good for the betta.

edit to say a faster way of getting garlic juice is just buying a jar of minced garlic in water and spooning a little of the garlic water over the pellets.

 

[Syphoniera]

If ever stuck again, and considering epsom salts:

http/www.####/index.php?showtopic=13576

... Epsom salt, available at more pharmacies and grocery stores. Epsom salt is absolutely essential when treating diseases that result in fluid retention, dropsy, and pop-eye; it reduces fluid retention to restore a healthier, more comfortable balance. ...

It does make them poop like the wind...

 

[snowflake311]

If ever stuck again, and considering epsom salts:

[URL="http/www.####/index.php?showtopic=13576"]http/www.####/index.php?showtopic=13576[/URL]

... Epsom salt, available at more pharmacies and grocery stores. Epsom salt is absolutely essential when treating diseases that result in fluid retention, dropsy, and pop-eye; it reduces fluid retention to restore a healthier, more comfortable balance. ...

It does make them poop like the wind...

Poop like the wind. HAHA good saying. Yeah seems like he is all better now its been a few days and still looking good. I am still only giving him one pellet a day tomorrow I will try 2. Now that I have fixed this little guy I have problems with 2 of my females in my 36 Gal tank. I am going to post a new subject for this question. Please check it out.