fbn

Sypmtoms: (betta fish)
Has bulges. Looks like he ate too much. I have fasted him for days and given peas. Constipation or overfeeding is not the problem.
Lays on the bottom of the tank on his side with his head pointing up.
If he were swimming and would just stop, his head would go up.

Other:
He eats fine.
His gills do NOT pinecone. Does that mean it is not dropsy?
He swims to the top for air and to eat.
There are no external signs of any sickness. The fins are fine and when he shows them they are colorful. He isn't dull in color That I know of.
The filter current is not strong at all either. Thanks!!

Oh, and could the bulges be some type of internal parasite??

Lucy

I moved your thread into the betta section where more betta parents can see it.
It really was ok in the diseases section but sometimes betta parents don't check that area of the forum.

I'm sorry your betta isn't feeling well.

It sounds like you're doing whats right for him.
Is he eating the peas? Pooing?
How long has he been like this?
Can you post a pic?
Is he still in with other fish? That's one of the problems with bettas in community tanks, they eat too much of whats not good for them.
When you say he's eating, is he eating only peas?

Parasites is a good possiblity but so is a swim bladder issue. The head pointing up is worrisome IMO.

Sorry for all the questions. let's see if we can get this figured out. I'm sure other members will be here shortly.

Shawnie

oh no!! what are the reading for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates? if he is in the community tank, he could be stressed and not able to deal with tank mates... it sounded like overfeeding and in a community tank, its almost impossible not to as they will eat ALL food given....I would fast him for a few days, then slowly start with a pea twice a day the size of his eye...he needs either his own tank, or a breeder net so you can target feed him and not overfeed with the other fishies food ...I hope he gets better!

fbn

He is still with the other fish. He does not get picked on. So, it isn't stress I do not believe.
1. Yes, I never seem to see bettas that I have pooing. It seems like some fish you see doing it and others "hide behind a leaf" HAHA.
2. For maybe a month or a little more.
3. No, well maybe...I can try.
4. Yes, but I am feeding him betta fish food. It says that it is good for bettas and other small tropical fish. If it really is a problem with the food, I will get him a type of betta food that is better or something?? Any suggestions? oh, it is called tetra min tropical granules.http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...6safe%3Dactive its in the 4 row.
4. He eats peas and betta pellets.

Shawnie

I have merged your posts as two arent needed for the same thing

fbn

Sorry Shawnie...It didn't show that I posted a question, so I asked it twice and just now realised I had asked the same thing twice....Sorry!

Oh, I have done the fast him and then feed him peas. It did not work. I fasted him for at least 3 days straight. Do you still think it is constipation or some parasite or something?

Shawnie

Dont be sorry..it happens to us all sometimes

fbn

Okay, so what am I supposed to do?
1. I feed him betta food all ready. Click on the link in one of my other posts. It is the granules. It says it is betta food.
2. I should be able to feed him regular betta food and give the other fish their food. The fish will eat their food very fast. The food that I feed them, is it not suitable for bettas? It says it is, but if it isn't and I need to switch I will.

Lucy

Thanks Shawnie, I forgot to ask about the water conditions.

When using peas and fasting for bloat he shouldn't have any other food...no pellets, blood worms, granual, flakes....nada nothing.
He might pout, but like kids, sometimes they don't know what's good for them.
Even if he's not getting picked on or picking on others doesn't mean he doesn't feel the stress of tank mates.

Fast for 2 days then a few bits of pea then fast again, see if that helps
I agree with Shawnie about him having a tank of his own epecially now since he's able to get to other food.

Goood luck, keep us up to date.

Shawnie

unless he is isolated, its IMPOSSIBLE to fast a betta in a community tank unless you are fasting the entire tank..they will and do find ways of getting everyones foods..even if its just the leftover ....

Martinismommy

It could be swim bladder..When he swims does he float to the bottom?

fbn

I did fast the whole tank. Oh, and Lucy I didn't feed any foods with the peas. Shawnie: the food that I am feeding is for bettas and tropical fish. That is what it says...Is this untrue? Thank you a lot Lucy and Shawnie. I will fast and give peas again. I do not have a test kit...This is no excuse, but I do do regular weekly water changes. Around 20%

No, he swims to the top. He doesn't float.

Lucy

It would be a good idea to get the water tested so that can be ruled out or corrected.

Thanks for the clarification on the food.
Bettas are carnivores, IMO do better with foods made just for them. Dried foods can sometimes cause bloat.

But, again, the fact that he's head up is concerning to me. I'm looking for an article I read that mentions this, but can't find it.
Is there a plant near the top he can rest on and be near the surface?

fbn

I do have plants, but I do not think that he will rest on them. He never rests anwhere else than on the rocks. So, what food would you recommend? Thank you for your help and looking. I am going to try and get a pic.

Martinismommy

There are different types of swim bladder..Not all fish with SBD float..Some sink to the bottom and lay on their side..

Lucy

I feed mine 3-4 pellets in the morning and 4-5 thawed frozen blood worms at night sometimes thawed frozen brine shrimp.
They get pea treats once a week to help keep things regular.

fbn

Okay, any specific brands or kinds of food?

martinismommy: Fish that I have seen with SBD pretty much cannot swim, if I am not mistaken. The betta can swim pretty good. I don't know what it is.


Lucy: The higher the fiber content the better for my betta? I have read in other posts you have said about using garlic for bettas. What is that for? I have never heard of it.

Lucy

My baby boy is getting Atison's and my older girls eat Hakari.
Here you go, this should help answer your questions:
Betta Care Guide

Martinismommy

FBN...That is simply not correct...I've bred 100's of Bettas and seen a lot of things..Fish that have SBD can most certainly swim...They just spend the majority of their day resting on the bottom..

Lucy

Adding Garlic Guard or a couple of drops of garlic juice is said to help boost their immune system. If a fish isn't eating sometimes it's recommended to soak their food in it to help stimulate their appetite.

Shawnie

IMO this boy just needs his own tank...they arent community fish and him not acting his normal self is a sign he isnt doing well in that situation ....I hope things look up for him soon!

fbn

Then what should I do?

Oh, and do bettas eat green beans?
and if so are they as good as peas? Or should I not feed them to him and just use peas?
Lucy: Should I do the garlic stuff?

Martinismommy

After reading through this post more I have to agree with Shawnie he needs to come out of that tank ..If it is SBD there is not much you can do for him exxcept keep him in something a little shallower and don't overfeed him..

Where did this fish come from and how old do you think he is?

fbn

I bought him. He is around a year old.

I fed him some peas. I will probably fast them tomorrow and on Sunday.

fbn

What kind of schedule should I do? Like with peas and fasting and with the regular food.

Lucy

I would fast 2 days then feed him a couple bits of pea (Thawed, froze, shelled) then fast for 2 days then a couple bits of pea.
Fasting means no other food.

fbn

Yup, I know. I meant like maybe fast 2 days then feed or give peas or something. You give them shelled?? thanks a lot Lucy and others!

Lucy

That's right, fast for 2 days then the 3rd day give bits of thawed frozen pea. Just the soft inner part, not the shell. It won't do him good to give too much pea. I give mine maybe 3 bits the size of their eye.

pamd

The community tank might be the basic problem for your betta. I wonder why you fasted the whole tank. Please consider a tank for the betta on his own, at least 3 gallons, one that is filtered and heated. It doesn't have to be elaborate.

For bettas, Atison's Beta Pro is excellent food, along with a bit of organic frozen pea once a week. They also love frozen brine shrimp.

fbn

His condition seemed to be getting worse. He was swimming little diagonally. Just tonight my mom and I noticed he seems to be much better! He is not as fat, swims around more, and does not lay on his side like he used to! Thanks everyone! I will rpobably post again when he is totally better