Betta Fish Sbd

I have had a betta with swim bladder for the last three months. He is in a 2 gal tank with plants to win under to avoid popping out of the water like a balloon. I do 25% water changes Monday through Wednesday and about a 50-75% every other week. His water temperatures are an average of about 78f. I have fed him daphnia, live brine shrimp and soaked pellets every other day but constantly struggles to eat. I got him from a friend that was going to give him back to the pet store but they figured that they would put him down due to his problem. He's been like this for about four months now and I'm thinking about putting him down due to him having a low quality of life. Any help?

 

Does he look bloated? Have you seen any poop in his tank? Is he pooping regularly? Was he like that with your friend? Can you post a picture?

 

What is the regular tank size? Is it heated? Filtered? Cycled?

 

From what I know some bettas can be born with swim bladder due to the way they are bred. If your betta is struggling to get air try lowering the water in the tank and keeping lots of plants for the betta.

 

No poop, VERY bloated. I have fasted him off and on again, like a regularly do with my betters to avoid constipation and SB. Regular tank size is a 2.5-3 gal I'm upgrading soon with a 5 gal. (I know its quite small, I figured it would work best to avoid stress and easier food consumption.) No heater as it over heats to about 88. I do have the water level lowered also for that reason. And it is cycled. And he was like this with my friend for about 3-4 months. I got him about a month and a half ago.

 

88 is too hot for a betta you might be cooking him he would be more comfortable at 78-82. Can we see pictures please if he's that bloated you might want to use Epsom salt

 

That's why I don't use the heater, he has no heater. I tried giving him epsom salt baths every other weeks but is to no use. He is at 78 as of now.

 

It could be dropsy. Can you look above him for any raised scales on his sides?

 

nope. no dropsy or sign of any other illness. Just over-bloated and popping out of the water like a balloon.





you can see the difference there^

 

Have you tried thawing a frozen pea and feeding him 1/4 of it about a betta bite size piece. I have read to fast them for 3 days and then feed them the pea. The pea will move the constipation.

 

I would still that he's constipated. Try feeding him a deshelled pea and I would also try to keep fasting for a week.

 

Read that peas aren't the best. They’re strictly carnivorous so i’d rather not risk anything. He has been fasted too.

will try for a week though*

 

Read that peas aren't the best. They’re strictly carnivorous so i’d rather not risk anything. He has been fasted too.

Where did you read that?!?! Pea's have saved my betta's life and will save your betta's life to. they just have to be frozin pea's, thawed, and cut

 

Its everywhere? I guess I will have to try then. I’ve asked breeders/rescues and they sided with staying away from peas for this reason.

 

Its everywhere? I guess I will have to try then. I’ve asked breeders/rescues and they sided with staying away from peas for this reason.

stay away from every pea except frozen

 

Yes they are carnivores and it's because of that, that peas can help. They cannot digest peas so it goes straight through their systems and out the other end. I prefer daphnia and since you already tried that, you should try peas. If peas and fasting don't work, I'm sorry to say but you'll have to euthanize him because he isn't getting better. You may also want to try an autopsy to see if he was constipated or what was causing him to bloated. Or if you have an aquatic vet near by, have them do it. Better to get answers than nothing.

stay away from every pea except frozen

Or fresh peas that can be blanched.

 

Or fresh peas that can be blanched.

True, forgot those

 

Will do then. I have clove oil as my main option aswell. I’ll head to the store to buy some. Won’t the long term of the SBD also damage their swimbladder too?

 

Will do then. I have clove oil as my main option aswell. I’ll head to the store to buy some. Won’t the long term of the SBD also damage their swimbladder too?

then no it shouldn't. Are you euthenizing him already???

 

Will do. I’ll start to continue the epsome salt baths, along with the fasting/peas. I do the salt dips for about 12 minutes (10-15 depending on severity) and about every week (mostly every other) to avoid stress. How often do you recommend doing salt dips?

 

Are you euthanising already?

They said they were going to try with peas and fasting for approximately a week and if it doesn't work, they're going to euthanize.

Will do. I’ll start to continue the epsome salt baths, along with the fasting/peas. I do the salt dips for about 12 minutes (10-15 depending on severity) and about every week (mostly every other) to avoid stress. How often do you recommend doing salt dips?

Read it wrong. When you said salt again, I thought aquarium salt.

 

Yes, I only use epsom.

 

Yes, I only use epsom.

weekly dips for 10 minutes after you finish treatment

 

ok thank you

 

What do you feed him normally? Try everything you possibly can before putting him down. He looks very healthy other than the bloat. Sometimes you just gotta give them time. Please please please keep us updated.

 

I have a suggestion which may be completely wrong I was looking the odd fish to being bloated 1being a betta around 6 months later I discovered red stringy bits in one of my bloated angels and I had a type of worms canalanus or something and it's really hard to spot unless u see these red stringy bits which are the worms since treating I haven't lost anymore and all of my fish are now not bloated could this be the cause

 

Thanks for all the help and suggestions, I've tried all the recommended solutions but it got to the point where he couldn't go out at all, and half of his body was exposed out of the water and had almost no interest in food. I just put him down today, it was quite sad to see a beautiful fish go thank you all for the advice once again!

 

tried the salt dips (epsom), fasting him again, small live foods like daphnia and brine, peas, water changes and keeping up the temp. no solution for me but methods don't work for everyone I suppose. Thank you guys so much!

 

You at least tried to treat him and gave him the best life he could've have.

 

thank you repolie!

 

Oh no! So sorry about your Betta, it’s always hard especially when you have to do it but now he is happy swimming in fish heaven.

 

Sorry for your loss