Constipated bettas?
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unfortunately, you could have ammonia and the test strips won't show it..they are not reliable and you have such limited resources as you said, that id go for finding some prime or amquel + if you can, and assume there is some of either ammonia or nitrites , and do small partial changes for some time..cycling can take weeks or days depending on where you are at in the process....it will not hurt anything and again, without reliable testing, I would play it safe and assume either the tank wasn't cycled or its in a minI cycle....remember, nitrites are as bad as ammonia if they are present....
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This time my betta is reallly constipated. He's not in a good state. Refuses to eat the pea. I'm so sad, it's frustrating, because the pea could save his life, but he refuses to eat anything. He just lies on the gravel and only comes up for air. When I throw tiny pea pieces into the tank he only gets agitated. Now, I want to know, how can a betta get so easily constipated? I only give him one or two crushed flakes in the mornings and a small amount of frozen blood worm in the evenings.
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Your boy does not appear constipated to me...If anything, he looks to be on the thin side....I'd get him off of the flakes and on to some good quality pellets such as atisons betta pro....He won't be lonely if you remove the tankmates...Most Bettas actually prefer to live alone and enjoy the company of their human friends.....
Good luck! He's a handsome little fellow!
Good luck! He's a handsome little fellow!
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???
Beautiful Boy my little Betta looks like he swallowed a marble. I read up on bloat but he does not look like a pine-cone at all, I think he is constipated. I have tried for two days to get him to eat peas....I cooked them and squished the inside out, but he won't. I didn't feed him yesterday either. He is on the bottom of the tank, if I walk over to him he will swim a bit but then back to the bottom. I went to my LFS which is really good, but no meds for constipation. I am so worried that he is dying and suffering. Any suggestions please, I am so heart-broken.
Beautiful Boy my little Betta looks like he swallowed a marble. I read up on bloat but he does not look like a pine-cone at all, I think he is constipated. I have tried for two days to get him to eat peas....I cooked them and squished the inside out, but he won't. I didn't feed him yesterday either. He is on the bottom of the tank, if I walk over to him he will swim a bit but then back to the bottom. I went to my LFS which is really good, but no meds for constipation. I am so worried that he is dying and suffering. Any suggestions please, I am so heart-broken.
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try soaking the pea in a bit of garlic juice always works for me
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30 minutes of an Epsom salt bath ever day until the bloat is gone.
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Have you checked your water readings lately? Can you list them, please?
I had to chop it into betta eye-sized peice and soak it in water mixed with frozen bloodworms and fresh garlic. Scoop just the pea piece out without the bloodworm on it.
It's a gross concoction, but it was the only thing that got my little dude to eat when he wouldn't eat a normal steamed, shelled pea. He'll also get hungrier after a day or two more without any other choice but the pea.
I suggest a few more days with no food, and just the pea treatment before you try an epson salt bath. Bettas are not so fond of salt, and a few days of fasting will not hurt him.
Edit: If you do decide to soak him, here is the recipe:
"This is very important that you measure carefully so do not estimate or the little InarI could be sick from it but the book says to give a bath in a solution of 1 gallon of water the temperature of the aquarium water to which you have added 1/4 teaspoon of epsom salts (has to be epsom salts) that you have disolved in a small amount of water before pouring into the water. *Milx the salt solution before you add InarI to the water. *Do not leave him in there longer than 30 minutes or if he starts to show signs of stress remove him immediately and put back in his tank. *Do not leave him unattended."
-Quoted from member Chickadee (aka Rose)
I had to chop it into betta eye-sized peice and soak it in water mixed with frozen bloodworms and fresh garlic. Scoop just the pea piece out without the bloodworm on it.
It's a gross concoction, but it was the only thing that got my little dude to eat when he wouldn't eat a normal steamed, shelled pea. He'll also get hungrier after a day or two more without any other choice but the pea.
I suggest a few more days with no food, and just the pea treatment before you try an epson salt bath. Bettas are not so fond of salt, and a few days of fasting will not hurt him.
Edit: If you do decide to soak him, here is the recipe:
"This is very important that you measure carefully so do not estimate or the little InarI could be sick from it but the book says to give a bath in a solution of 1 gallon of water the temperature of the aquarium water to which you have added 1/4 teaspoon of epsom salts (has to be epsom salts) that you have disolved in a small amount of water before pouring into the water. *Milx the salt solution before you add InarI to the water. *Do not leave him in there longer than 30 minutes or if he starts to show signs of stress remove him immediately and put back in his tank. *Do not leave him unattended."
-Quoted from member Chickadee (aka Rose)
Tank water readings: zero ammonia, Ph 6.8.
I am going to keep trying with the pea, I like the idea of mixing it with blood worm and garlic. I am just going to keep offering him this concoction and just hope and pray that when he is hungry he will try. So I will mix a little pea, garlic and bloodworm and I guess just take the pea out to offer him in the morning. He is still swimming a little bit but really does not look well. I am so grateful for the advice everyone, it just helps to not feel alone and worried.
I am going to keep trying with the pea, I like the idea of mixing it with blood worm and garlic. I am just going to keep offering him this concoction and just hope and pray that when he is hungry he will try. So I will mix a little pea, garlic and bloodworm and I guess just take the pea out to offer him in the morning. He is still swimming a little bit but really does not look well. I am so grateful for the advice everyone, it just helps to not feel alone and worried.
If he won't eat peas- try frozen or freeze dried Daphnia. Mine won't eat peas and they love it and it works for constipation.
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so strange, the exact same thing is happening with my ct. I am going to either fast him again tomorrow, or try the pea tomorrow. I am 99% sure mine is constipated. but I know if this isn't treated, pineconing is just around the corner. keep offering a pea in the garlic
The Daphnia will work better trust me on that. I have also found that with Daphnia incorporated into the diet- you have less of a constipation risk.
My Betta went for about a week not touching a pea. He would eat bloodworms and no pea so that won't work.
Daphnia they eat regularly with no issue.
My Betta went for about a week not touching a pea. He would eat bloodworms and no pea so that won't work.
Daphnia they eat regularly with no issue.
Constipated Betta boy looking a little better...
x
I have been feeding him little bits of peas soaked in garlic and blood worm.... took the blood worm out before adding peas to his tank..... today he looks a teeny weeny bit less swollen and is swimming around a bit. My heart is soaring, I was worried all day at work, I am going to give him more bits of my new concoction of peas just now. Tested his water all good, no ammonia, ph good. I really appreciate all your help, it is amazing how much we love these little friends of ours.
x
I have been feeding him little bits of peas soaked in garlic and blood worm.... took the blood worm out before adding peas to his tank..... today he looks a teeny weeny bit less swollen and is swimming around a bit. My heart is soaring, I was worried all day at work, I am going to give him more bits of my new concoction of peas just now. Tested his water all good, no ammonia, ph good. I really appreciate all your help, it is amazing how much we love these little friends of ours.
Beautiful Boy is not getting better. I thought the bloat had gone down bit but it hasn't. He is almost vertical now and just staying in one spot. I have thought about euthanasia but I just can't do it. His tank is nice and warm and I just hope if he goes he doesn't suffer. I wish I could make a decision but just can't. This is just heartbreaking. I feel so paranoid about my other guys now. Anyone had a similar experience?
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I have tried fasting and peas, he wouldn't eat the pea. I will try the Daphnia tomorrow. Zero ammonia, 10 gallon tank, ph 7.6. I tried to feed the pea on the flat end of a toothpick, he just swam away. I still am hoping the Daphnia may work. His skin looks so taught now almost as if he could burst. So upsetting, he is such an awesome little guy.
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Try fasting for a day and giving her a frozen pea that has been cooked and de-shelled and cut into tiny pieces. I use tweezers to suspend the little pieces in the tank, but I also have read that using a tooth-pick works. Their stomach is around the size of their eye so a tiny piece of pea will suffice. If no luck in the toilet department then fast another day and try again. She will really need to poo before eating proper food again.
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Okay well she still looks the same today. I just looked up what dropsy is, and she doesn't have any of those symptoms. I don't have any daphnia but was planning to get some soon. I have seen her eat the peas both times, she gobbles them up. I give her 4 or 5 really tiny bits, like the size of her pellets. I will work on taking some pictures today and post them here later. Thanks again.
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Thank you for taking a look at her. I agree she is definitely bloating out, not down. I will fast her tonight and try peas again tomorrow. Saturday I can pick up some daphnia if that would help.
I feel like she is getting better though. It's hard to explain but her "bump" is moving down her body a bit so maybe she is getting ready to go?
I will update tomorrow evening. Thanks again!
I feel like she is getting better though. It's hard to explain but her "bump" is moving down her body a bit so maybe she is getting ready to go?
I will update tomorrow evening. Thanks again!
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So how long should it take a constipated betta to go?? She seems to be looking gradually better but still is bloated looking. Could she just be fat?? I looked up the symptoms to dropsy and she doesn't have any of those. Acting normally and eating up all her peas. I've been fasting one day and then peas the next, for over a week now. Is this alright? How long til I give her the pellets again?
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Is she pooing?
Imo, (post 10), it might be better to fast 2 days between peas and then only one ot two teeny bits (the size of her eye).
Are you positive she's constipated? Possibly egg bound?
Here is a pic of an egg bound betta:
I know they are other pictures on the forum. If I can find them I'll post the links
Comparing those pictures with yours, I don't think they look the same (egg bound)
Imo, (post 10), it might be better to fast 2 days between peas and then only one ot two teeny bits (the size of her eye).
Are you positive she's constipated? Possibly egg bound?
Here is a pic of an egg bound betta:
I know they are other pictures on the forum. If I can find them I'll post the links
Comparing those pictures with yours, I don't think they look the same (egg bound)
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Lucy,
I am not sure if she is pooing, as I don't watch her all day. Any way to check?
I can try fasting 2 days and feeding less peas, but I've already been doing this for so long I don't think it's helping!
I am not positive it's constipation, as this is my first betta. I've pretty much ruled out the dropsy, so I figure she is constipated or just fat?
I looked at the egg bound pictures and don't think she looks like that. She's been alone in this tank since December so she couldn't be pregnant right?
She has no other symptoms so I am not too worried, just don't want to make it worse. I will work on getting some better pictures of her.
If I pick up some frozen daphnia maybe that will do the trick? I heard it's a laxative. Thanks for your help!
I am not sure if she is pooing, as I don't watch her all day. Any way to check?
I can try fasting 2 days and feeding less peas, but I've already been doing this for so long I don't think it's helping!
I am not positive it's constipation, as this is my first betta. I've pretty much ruled out the dropsy, so I figure she is constipated or just fat?
I looked at the egg bound pictures and don't think she looks like that. She's been alone in this tank since December so she couldn't be pregnant right?
She has no other symptoms so I am not too worried, just don't want to make it worse. I will work on getting some better pictures of her.
If I pick up some frozen daphnia maybe that will do the trick? I heard it's a laxative. Thanks for your help!
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I edited my post with another picture.
I agree, they don't look the same.
I'm pretty sure bettas can develop eggs even without a male around.
From what I understand, they can expel them or the body just absorbs them.
This isn't from personal experience.
I'm not 100% sure but I don't think that dropsy always results in raised scales.
Drospy is when the fish retains fluid because of kindey/liver failure. You probably have already researched that.
I had always read and been advised that freeze dried daphnia could help. I don't know why frozen should be any different.
This way she's also getting some of the protein she needs.
The only ways to know if she's pooing is
1) seeing her go (obviously)
2) Seeing waste in the bottom of the tank. Bare bottom would be easier.
When I first had a constipated betta I was advised to use peas, but not too much because she's already constipated and too much food (peas or daphnia) in her belly would just make her more swollen.
It's worth a try to increase the fast time and lessen the amount of pea.
I hope if any of the above is wrong someone will correct me.
I know it's frustating
Wish I could help further.
I agree, they don't look the same.
I'm pretty sure bettas can develop eggs even without a male around.
From what I understand, they can expel them or the body just absorbs them.
This isn't from personal experience.
I'm not 100% sure but I don't think that dropsy always results in raised scales.
Drospy is when the fish retains fluid because of kindey/liver failure. You probably have already researched that.
I had always read and been advised that freeze dried daphnia could help. I don't know why frozen should be any different.
This way she's also getting some of the protein she needs.
The only ways to know if she's pooing is
1) seeing her go (obviously)
2) Seeing waste in the bottom of the tank. Bare bottom would be easier.
When I first had a constipated betta I was advised to use peas, but not too much because she's already constipated and too much food (peas or daphnia) in her belly would just make her more swollen.
It's worth a try to increase the fast time and lessen the amount of pea.
I hope if any of the above is wrong someone will correct me.
I know it's frustating
Wish I could help further.
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