aprilrain85

Hello Everyone
I am having a problem with Geppetto. His stomach looks a bit larger than normal, and his colouring is paler than normal in that area. He has been eating normally (3-4 pellets twice a day). Yesterday he got a bit of a pea for supper to help prevent consitipation. I just did at 25% water change today, and tested all the tank levels. Ammonia was .25 ppm, pH was 7.0 and Nitrite and Nitrate was at 0 ppm. The tank has been keeping these levels since it has been set up. I am also supposed to be leaving tomorrow afternoon for 4-5 days.

What should I do?!?! Is it serious, or am I just being overly worried?

Any help would be appreciated!!

Tazmiche

What temp is his tank kept at? They can show that they are cold. Mine often have big tums and i also feed 3/4 pellets a day. What type of pellets do you feed? I get Hikari betta bio gold.

I find each of my bettas different to feed, i have 4. One will see his food, swim about then eat it. One eats as it hits the water. One jumps to bite it off my finger and if he misses i have to point it out and the other, bless his heart is so soft, he is soo polite and has bad eye sight, we spend time helping him find his food, chasing, holding it for him. Takes time but fun and soooo worth it to see them healthy in our care!!

COBettaCouple

It does sound like constipation possibly.. probably mild. The pea will help and a 4-5 day fast should take care of any remaining problem.

If you're not using Prime for your water conditioner, I'd recommend that.. especially with some ammonia in the tank.

aprilrain85

The heater is set at 78 degrees, but the tank is usually at 80 or 81 due to the apartment temperature. I feed Geppetto Hikari Betta Bio-Gold as well. He usually waits until I have dropped all the pellets in and then eats them all right away. I always use the prime water conditioner when doing water changes as well.
My husband (who got me into fish tanks, and gave me this betta) suggested that it might be bloat. He is swimming normally (or maybe more than normal), and his fins are not raised though.
Hopefully the pea will work, and the fasting will help.
If it is constipation, once I get back, should I feed him a bit of pea more often? or reduce his food to 2-3 pellets?
Thanks again. You are all wonderfully helpful.

Tazmiche

I feed mine a pellet at a time and can tell when they are full as they swim with it in there teeth for me to see.

How long have you had him?

aprilrain85

about two weeks.

Wolfgang8810

I think it may be due to the .25 of ammonia. Sure the constipation may be contributing but there really shouldn't be any ammonia at all. Just my two cents.

Mark