Constipated bettas?

I have two new betta a male and female, I did the typical noobie thing and fed them every time they looked at me like "hey I haven't eaten in days feed me" so as I think Rose has told me they are most likely constipated and to feed them peas. now the problem i'm having is neither one of them will eat the peas. they refuse to eat anything that doesn't float or that is in my hand. InarI is drepressed so he is refusing to eat and well TenshI has her own problems but she won't eat the peas either am I not cooking them enough or what. Please help me I don't want to lose these two preceious fish.

Thanks

brent

 

You might actually be cooking them too much. In my experience, if you overcook the peas the sink. You want to defrost them only enough so that the skin of the pea will slip off. Then what I do is cut the pea into a sliver and then cut off a little half eye sized peice from there. It should float after that. If they still don't eat it Rose has suggested to me to try other veggies like carrots. Find one that they will eat I guess. But start with the peas.

 

Ok so frozen peas just cooked enough to peel. they should be floting thank u 'cause my bettas won't eat anything that doesn't float I had a pellet in there for InarI yesterday that he didn't eat and when it sank he grabed it and spit it back out. TenshI well she is very picky when it comes that idk minds of their own

thanx

brent

 

You technically don't really want to cook them at all. Does your microwave have a "defrost" option. That will just thaw the pea a little.

 

If you have catfish you can cook veggies until they sink so the cats can get them. But with Bettas, they just need to be thawed enough that you can remove the skin.

 

unfortunately not cat fish so i've been fishing them out by hand so they don't do gross things to the water and InarI hasn't been too fond of my hand in his tank tho he's tried to nip me a couple of times its kinda funny actually

Well I have good news!! TenshI loves peas she can't get enough how much should I give her I think I let her she would eat an entire bag until she explodes. LOL she is doing so much better I'm so happy but i'm worried about InarI he isn't eating what could possible be wrong? can anyone help?

Brent

i'm trying to get these two to eat out of my hand is this a bad idea? I have a pair of tweezers that I have heated up signifcantly with a lighter and she eats right off them it makes my life easier, 'cause some of the peices were really small and sunk and she didn't notice them however with the tweezers every time she sees them flares up as if to say I want more veggies. with that said, is it wise to try and teach her to eat from my finger or would I end up with pieces missing. and what can I do about InarI I will try carrots like suggested but idk what's going on with the poor boy.

any and all help greatly appreciated

brent

UPDATE ON TENSHI AND INARI:

TenshI is doing so much better now, But now my major concern is InarI he refuses to eat even when u was full he used to go after pellets just he's spit them back up he won't even look at food. His colore is pretty normal for the most part, around his gill covers are a bit red, and his eyes seem to be 'poping out' He won't eat so the vitimin enriched food won't help I've moved him into a smaller bowl and I have it placed on a light that seems to be a decent heat source so that the water is warmer, but he won't eat he won't even flare at TenshI like he used to. I'm confused as to what to do. please help me I don't want to lose him at all.

thanx

brent

 

I have been nipped by almost all of my Bettas and I still have all fingers intact. It doesn't even break the skin or hurt. They just cannot get something as big as a finger in their mouth. I always put the peas on the tip of my finger and just hold it right at the water surface. Misty would come to the surface and jump right up and take it off my finger. As far as the amount, their stomach is the size of their eye. So I usually give them a piece about half the size of their eye cut in about 3 pieces. Those are small enough for them to get into their mouths and be sure to give them time to chem and swallow between bites. Otherwise they have a tendency to hurry and swallow stuff whole.

I am sorry about the trouble with Tenshi. It will not hurt him to go without food for a short time, but I am a little worried since he has been in an unfiltered tank. Loss of apetite could be the start of some kind of toxicity problem (poisoning) from the uncycled tank. The only solution that I know of is to get him into a cycled tank. As far as the possible constipation problem with him and him not eating peas, you can use Epsom Salts in his water (it is supposed to be a laxative to fish) - no table salt. It can be found at Walmart or anywhere there is a PHarmacy. It is very cheap and goes a LONG way. You use 1/4 level teaspoon for 1 gallon water. (use measuring spoon - don't guess) and put him in there. It would be good not to have gravel in the container you put him in so you can see if he is pooping. He can stay in the laxative bath overnight if needs be. I would not worry about feeding him until he is out of the bath.

Rose

 

wow some odd remedies but thanx I may try to InarI into a cycled tank he is in an unfiltered envirenment that I have to change almost constantly...thank you for the advice

brent

ps TenshI is as active as ever tho a bit timid around me she is doing well tho

 

There's definitely a problem with TenshI if his eyes are popping out and he won't eat...I am 99% sure it must have something to do with the toxin levels since it is an unfiltered tank. Let me try to find some links on popeye...
- popeye info part way down the page
https://www.fishlore.com/Disease.htm - again popeye info down a ways
Hope this helps a little...watch TenshI VERY carefully because popeye could be an external sign of a much more serious internal infection. I would say that extra water changes are a must. If you could get him into a cycled tank that would help a lot.

 

Ok this is bugging me now it may be my typo so I will appologize but it is InarI my male who is having problems now. It maybe my typo sorry about that InarI is doing fine and thriving despite her lack of space, however InarI is the one with a problem I moved him to a smaller tank so that I can keep it warmer easier and he is the one with all the problems. sorry about the mix up but I will check out those links...also the cycled tank impossible for about 2 weeks that is when I get my next pay check would it do him any good for very frequent water changes(I'm talking about water changes everyday to everyother day) and should I be using a antibacterial med for him as well.

thanx

brent

Update on InarI and Tenshi:

TenshI is pretty health now altho the bowls I have them are right next to each other and she keeps teasing InarI its kinda funny to watch. She seems to be doing much better as everyday passes and I'm happy. Her tail and fins are even growing back nicely. InarI on the other I don't know what his problem I changed his water today and he is moving around a lot more now for the most part, and I tried to feed him a pellet since he hasn't eaten in a few days and he spit the half chewed pellet back up. What does this mean, constipated, sick with something, or just being irriatable.

Thanx

brent

It would be good not to have gravel in the container you put him in so you can see if he is pooping. He can stay in the laxative bath overnight if needs be. I would not worry about feeding him until he is out of the bath.

I"m pretty sure someone on another thread mentioned that the gravel will stress them out *confused* should I put larger rocks in there and only a few at that?

???

 

sick I am afraid.  he is not eating because he is not feeling well.  Don't try to feed him tomorrow and just let him rest if he isn't interested in food.  He is having a problem with something and Yes he does need the antI bacterial medication.   MELAFIX   use according to the directions but you will have to be doing the water changes every day at least since you do not have filtration.  If the water is not kept VERY clean and toxin free I am afraid the finrot will take hold too far before you can get a tank set-up.  Remember that the tank is not cycled when you put the fish in and my concern is that the fish is going to be weakened already.  It is a stressful thing to have a fish do the cycling for you.  You will have to watch these fish very closely as their health is already weakened but they can benefit from the care you can give them.  I am glad to hear that TenshI is doing better but don't expect the fins to be growing back so soon.  It takes a while and is a slow process.  You will hardly notice that it is happening until they are all of a sudden there and whole again.  

REALLY bright gravel can stress them out. They get hyper. You can use gravel, we all do but just while he is in the "hospital tank" it would be easier to see if he is not constipated if you don't have gravel on the bottom of the tank. There is no rule saying that they have to have gravel or that they shouldn't have gravel.. I would just suggest that if you want a bright color that perhaps you mix it with black so that the fish won't be stressed and it could still allow you to have a pretty color in the tank. Although the last I heard most of the ones who voted, stated a preference for the natural or tan gravel. It makes the tank look more like a piece of nature and like the waters where these lovely fish actually swim.

Rose

 

I had no idea about the bright color gravel. I use marbles and glass rocks (no sharp edges) in my tanks. Do all bright colors stress them out? I am asking because I saw a great tank decoration the other day for when I get my 10 gallon tank. It is a VW bug that could be a good hiding place but it is neon yellow. Would that stress them out as well?

 

No I do not think "splashes" of bright color hurt a thing. But imagine living in a house with an electric blue floor ALL the time..... especially when you have fluorescent lighting beaming down on it for 10-12 hours a day.

The Neon Colors (lime green, fluorescent pink, etc.) need to be toned down for substrates. That is easily done with a dark colored gravel mix and makes a quite pretty tank besides.

The decorations do not cover a large portion of the tank bottom and you can always put plants and other "buffering" items of decor around if you notice the fish is spending time flaring at it or something. It is my experience that Bettas do pay a lot of attention to the decorations around them so you will know if they like it or not.

Rose

 

Well that is good to know. Yes, I have noticed as well that they are quite happy to let you know whether or not they like what you do to them or for them. They really are great fish!!

;D

 

ok so it won't totally stress him out if I remove the gravel from the quarantine tank then cool it makes my life a lot easier thanx for the advise. also TenshI keeps trying to pick on InarI they are in two separate bowls but she keeps flaring at him and trying to 'push her bowl into his' she gets right up next to it and starts swiming furiously is she trying to get revenge for him hurting her or what I have a barrier so she they can't c each other is there anything else I should try?

brent

 

Stick a piece of black colored paper between them. That's what I use for my tank backgrounds.

 

well unfortunately I don't have to worry about them harrassing each other anymore when I changed TenshI water today she was doing fine fighting me for because she hates water changes...I can't fit the net into the bowl that she is sat in to wait for new water. so I use my hands well she tried to squirm out and hurt herself. when I put her back into the water she flared up to get O2 and stayed that way for about 2 minutes I tapped on the bowl to get her to come out of it I tried to chace her with my hand but her little fins didn't move she then floated upside down and died she was doing so well too........

brent

 

Brent,
I am very sorry that you lost TenshI after she had been doing so well. My thoughts are with you.



Kelly

 

I'm sorry about Tenshi. :'( It is so sad to lose a fish. :'(

 

yeah it is but now I can concentrate more on InarI tho I hate that I lost my healthiest fish :-S

thank u

brent

 

I won't give you a lecture as I am sorry about your fish but I will suggest that maybe you don't take the fish out of the tank to change the water. They can stay in there while the water is changed and it will be less stress on the both of you.

I am indeed very sorry about Tenshi. :'( I know you loved her. My sympathies are with you.

Rose
:'(

 

so your saying just do like 75% water change then? I thought it would be a good idea to get him out and throughly clean everythings, rocks, plants sides, ect but I'll try leaving him in to change is water next time how much should I change at a time then and do I still treat with the antI chlorine stuff that u had me buy in another post?


thanx

brent

 

I was doing the same thing -- taking my guys out of the water every time. I've tried it with them in and they are a LOT happier.

All you do is treat the water in a separate bucket or container (Rose has a bucket just for fish water and I bought one too) and when it is treated you poor gently into the tanks. If you poor too hard you will upset them. If you poor gently though they will tolerate it and maybe even play. My Raspy plays with the water when it is being poured in! :

Once you see the difference of leaving them in there you will wonder why you ever did it the other way.

 

what about cleaning the rocks tho do u just scoop them out and do it like that?

 

I don't do anything with my rocks at the moment but I know that a couple people have said they use vaccums to do the gravel.

I'm sure Chickadee can tell you more ... she had to clean all her babies today!

 

Don't totally clean off the plants and gravel. This will kill off any good bacteria that may be growing. Just use the siphon to suck up junk sitting on the gravel.

 

even when I do a full tank cleaning I should just siphon the rocks off not run scalding hot water over them to rinse them out?

 

Yes, just siphon them off. There is really no reason to rinse them. This will only kill any good bacteria that may be growing there.

 

ok then that's what I will do then!!

Update on InarI and TenshI for those who have been following:

TenshI died yesterday in a water changing accident she damaged her gills in the transport and when I put her back she died :'( however InarI is doing better I have him in a slightly bigger bowl now that she won't be jealous : and he is doing well he is also eating again i'm so happy he's eating he didn't eat much today just a pellet and a flake and a half he seems to be doing better. I think his system might have worked things out thanx for everyone's support though i'm not in the clear yet thank you all so far

Brent

 

I vacuum the tanks about once a month and otherwise just a 50% water change once a week, but your situation is different again. You do not have a cycled tank. Smaller water changes like 50% every other day will probably be okay but not any longer in between than that. A tank without a filter means you have to do the filtering for it. Let us hope you can get a tank and get it cycled soon. It will be amazing the difference you will see in your fsih.

Rose

 

well like I keep saying I have to wait for my check which keeps getting moved curse payroll :-s

 

Just keep the water changes up and the testing of the water and do your best. He has waited for you and now he is eating. He can wait a bit longer. Just do it as soon as you can.

Rose

 

Hi, I think my betta is constipated. It lies on the bottom only to go to the surface to breath air every once in a while. I tried the frozen pee thing, but it doesen't want to eat the pieces. Anything else I can try??

 

Hello Maryke and Welcome to Fish Lore. Other than the peas I don't know which way to lead you. I know epsom salt may be a last resort but please wait for some experienced Betta people to sign on and help you. I don't know if a Betta can handle salt period. Best of luck and hope it recovers soon.

 

HI Maryke welcome to Fish Lore
I'm sorry your betta isn't feeling well. What size tank is he in? Is it heated, filtered? Any tank mates?
How long have you had your betta?
Can you post a pic?

Will he eat regular food if offered? What have you been feeding him and how much?
Usually bettas love the peas. Did you cut it into tiny bits the size of his eye?
If you think he's constipated you can fast him for a day then try the pea again. Freeze dried daphnia works the same way as peas. You can find it in the reptile section at the store.
Then fast again.

Sorry for all the qustions, the answers might help us better figure out what's going on.
If you could fill in your aquarium info, it would help avoid so many questions. It's found under My Settings at the top left.

Good luck, I hope he feels better soon.

 

Maybe you didn't cut the pea pieces up small enough? And did you shell them?
Generally fishies eyes are the same size as their stomach, so get a frozen pea, take off the shell, and cut it up as small as you physically can
Apparently soaking food in garlic juice will get your bettas appetite up and running if he doesn't like the pea chunks normally.

 

My tank is 45cm X 24cm X 23cm. It has a heater and filter. The temperature is 26C. I have my betta for a week now. The only tank mates are 2 corys. Since this morning, when I found the betta on the bottom, he has been aggressive towards the corys. I feed him tropical fish flakes in the mornings and frozen blood worm in the evenings (only small amounts). He ate flkes this morning but is refusing to eat the pea. And yes, I shelled the pea and chopped into tiny pieces. He swam towards each piece and just looked at it. He also doesn't have his vibrant colour anymore. How do you upload photos?

 

Here you go:


I would try fasting him for a day or so then re-introduce the peas. He might be hungry enough to nibble on them or see if you can find daphnia.

If you continues to be aggressive to the cories, you might want to consider moving them.
Is it possible he's been eating food meant for the cories?

Is the tank cycled? What are the readings for ammonia nitrite and nitrate?

 

welcome to fishlore!! I'm sorry your lil man is sick
I'm wondering if you happen to know the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate readings of the tank?

 

I'm glad to report that my betta ate a few pieces of pea! He swims round a lot more now, but he is still pale and his fins do not look as full as it was when I bought him, if you know what I mean. Yes, he has been nibbling at the sinking pellets I give to the corys.