Hi guys my Betta fish Buddy has had a swollen belly and trouble swimming for the past few days, which I'm guessing from a little research is constipation. He doesn't float regularly, he will only lay on his side or face up. I was told to feed him the mushy inside of a pea but he won't eat it (its been 2 days since he last ate). I can't figure out how to feed a fish mushy pea if it won't float it just sinks to the bottom. What do I do!? I hate to see him like this. Thanks
Please Help Me!
- Thread starter buddyy
- Start date
woodstock
Fishaholic
Very most likely swim bladder problem, which comes as a side to constipation. I haven't faced this, so I don't have that much experience. Take out food before it rots in the tank! Because that doesn't help either. The best I could say is keep trying. bring the food to him. Make it easier, hold it right against his mouth, or something. I've also heard using daphnia helps? Not sure. I'm sure someone more experienced can come help you.
I already cleaned his tank so theres no peas rotting at the bottom. I would try and feed him directly except he seems to be a bit scared and doesn't come close. The only other option I can think of is to wait until he's hungry enough to eat the pea.
woodstock
Fishaholic
What do you mean scared? Like he runs off?
I'm guessing by now, you know when the pea will sink. Try inserting the pea, and just leave. So he's left alone and possibly more calmer. But come back before the pea starts to sink so it's easier to get out. Try this periodically.
I'm guessing by now, you know when the pea will sink. Try inserting the pea, and just leave. So he's left alone and possibly more calmer. But come back before the pea starts to sink so it's easier to get out. Try this periodically.
He won't come to the top of the water if I'm there directly hovering over him with a pea. I'll try putting a whole pea so it won't sink then do what you suggest, just let him be
woodstock
Fishaholic
I highly doubt he will be able to successfuly eat a full pea. So there's a problem in having a portion of the pea float on it's own? Try and be creative. There's a chance he'll eat it without you. At the bottom, doubtful though.
yes, exactly. A portion of mushy pea will not float. If anyone has any other suggestions to get him to eat a pea please let me know asap!
betta fish
Fish Herder
Hi, what temperature is the tank at? raising it slightly can increase appetite as long as it is below 80f to begin with, also soaking food in garlic juice can help, first blanch the pea by placing it a little cup of boiling water for a few seconds and then de-shell it and break it into bite sized pieces try to drop the pea directly over where he is lying as it falls past him he may try to grab it.
constipation can put them off their food. so its likely he might not want to eat the pea. the best thing to try is a simple epsom salt bath. you can purchase epsom salts (aka MAGNESIUM SUFATE- different than aquarium/marine salts) VERY cheaply at any pharmacy or store where they sell medicine or supplies of that sort.
heres what to do-
get a container that you know the volume of (or measure out a specific volume) add one tablespoon of epsom aslt per gal of water in the treatment tank. use some tankwater for the water volume. put the betta in for 10 mins the first day, 20 mins the second day 30 mins every day after. you can give a bth up to 2X a day. consequently you can add the epsom salt (NOT AQUARIUM/MARINE salt) directly in the tank if he is the only member (some fish react badly-bettas are NOT one of them). if doing it this way only use one teaspoon/gal and only replace the salt when doing waterchanges for the volume you are replacing.
hope that was clear enough. but epsom salts work GREAT for constipation and will be especially helpful in this case where hes not eating. also keep an eye out for his poop (make sure he is pooping) and yes, as mention above-daphnia can help clear them out the same way as peas, but the salts are cheaper and easier to administer if hes not eating.
all the best. dont give up on him. i know he looks pathetic, but just be patient. in the future dont overfeed (they honestly only need around 23 pellets every/other day. presoaking any dry food (flake and pellets included) will also help minimize the reoccurance in the future).
cheers
heres what to do-
get a container that you know the volume of (or measure out a specific volume) add one tablespoon of epsom aslt per gal of water in the treatment tank. use some tankwater for the water volume. put the betta in for 10 mins the first day, 20 mins the second day 30 mins every day after. you can give a bth up to 2X a day. consequently you can add the epsom salt (NOT AQUARIUM/MARINE salt) directly in the tank if he is the only member (some fish react badly-bettas are NOT one of them). if doing it this way only use one teaspoon/gal and only replace the salt when doing waterchanges for the volume you are replacing.
hope that was clear enough. but epsom salts work GREAT for constipation and will be especially helpful in this case where hes not eating. also keep an eye out for his poop (make sure he is pooping) and yes, as mention above-daphnia can help clear them out the same way as peas, but the salts are cheaper and easier to administer if hes not eating.
all the best. dont give up on him. i know he looks pathetic, but just be patient. in the future dont overfeed (they honestly only need around 23 pellets every/other day. presoaking any dry food (flake and pellets included) will also help minimize the reoccurance in the future).
cheers
Thank you. I will try the Epsom salts today. Hopefully that helps. Still no luck with getting him to eat the pea. Should I still be feeding him his pellets? I'm not quite sure, I was trying to get him hungry enough to eat the pea but at this point he hasn't eaten in 3 days 
betta fish
Fish Herder
Hi Buddyy, is there any chance you can get a pic up of your betta so we can take a look and just rule out nothing more sinister is going on? 
it's a bowl he has lived in it for 3 years now. It is about 3 gallons and I change it every 2 weeks or less.
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