Swollen Belly On Bettas

[Amerce]

Starve them for a day to let them empty out if they have constipation.

I starve mine once a week to ensure that they empty out, if people can do it why not fish, in the wild they aren't guaranteed food everyday and they do OK>

 

[Lynda B]

I've gone away from home for 4 days, fed my fish before I left, fed them when I returned and they've been just fine.

 

[mastergara]

I didnt know about the recall, but let me tell you that those betta bites hit the can SO fast. The other betta food we have is the TetraMin "The Rich Mix", and I realized that I have not been feeding Spaz (Unaffected) the Betta Bites as much as the other boys.

I did another water change but took some readings beforehand.

Ammonia: Yellow - 0ppm
Nitrite: Blue - 0ppm
Nitrate: Yellow-Orange - Less then 5ppm

Some recent pics (sorry about the camera, tis the one on my V3m):

I am gonna go get some Epsom Salt today. Is there any specific mix of it I should use for a 5gal? I am real concerned about him, as he was ok and looked to be getting better, then I fed him half a shelled pea, and this morning he was laying on the bottom of the tank near his plant. I am keeping a close eye on him.

Wish me luck, thanks for the advice, and I will keep posting what I find. Here is to hoping he pulls through it.

 

[mastergara]

*bump*

Looking for more information on what someone had recommended for Epsom Salt. The lfs had no idea what I was talking of, and a few stores locally only had the lavender/green tea type bath salts. I have continued to starve them for a few days now, and they are not getting any worse, but are also not getting any better. If I am able to track down some standard plain old Epsom salt, am I looking to give them a bath (Separate ones, of course), or add it into the tank with them?

Thanks again, and advice is always appreciated. Now if I can just get them to stop looking at me all begging like when I turn their lights on, and they don't get fed...

 

[joycould]

Epsom salt is sold places like walmart , most grocery stores have it, and drugs stores. It is near the bandaids and stuff like that. I used it on my betta and he is fine now. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of epsom salt to 1 gallon of water. Leave him in for at least 15 minutes, just watch him for signs of stress. It acts as a laxative also draws out fluids. Since you have him in such a large tank it might be easier to just put him in a small container then put him back in his tank.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

thats really weird, it kinda looks like hex to me

 

[mastergara]

Gave Phoenix an Epsom Salt bath last night (thank you for the information all), and while he seemed annoyed at me for moving him, he was not looking sick-upset (if that makes sense). There was not much in the way of information on acclimating between a bath and his tank, so while he got dropped in to the bath (the temp was pretty close between the two tanks), he was re-acclimated into his 5gal red-tank. Also had a chance to feed him cooked shelled pea-bits while he was in his little bath.
In checking on him this morning, he was hiding in his little pyramid, even when the light was turned on. He has always liked to hide in his little spots, so while I am not too concerned, I will still keep an eye on him this eve.

Am planning on giving MZ an Epsom Salt bath tonight (Before an international con-call) while I change out his water, and see how he feels about relaxing to hopefully unplug himself. Comically, he is very much the "Cranky old man" of the bettas. Think: "Get off my lawn you darn kids!" type.

If they start improving (or not) is the Epsom Salt bath something that should be repeated, or is the transition mayhaps a bit stressful on the fish? I am constantly learning new things about these lovely little guys, and wishing I knew all this before I started, as I hate to cause harm to them.

Thanks again to all for the advice. Incidentally, what is a hex?

 

[llamalord305]

I had one like this, he didnt eat for about 15 days, (I was already worrying he might die of hunger) but he started eating so now I think its a tumor.... He's doing just fine though. The pink and blue one, remember?

 

[joycould]

Once the swelling goes down you shouldn't have to repeat. If it is just simple constipation it should work out fine and not have to be repeated. I have noticed my betta still swells some but not as bad as he did, I reduce his pellets per day by one or two. I don't know if it is because of the food that both our bettas swelled or if it is some other reason. I doubt very much mine had dropsy because the fish in the other half of his divided tank has nothing wrong with him. Only difference was the food. I hope what worked for mine works for yours. Will yours still flare or does he ignore another fish or mirror? Mine just hid and didn't move for several days, he didn't even do his wiggle dance to greet me.