How do you tell if they are constipated?

Flame was rather quiet for him this morning and when I got home from work , ma said he had been subdued but did eat. His tum looks funny as though he has a sausage in it. Here are 2 pics, hope they show what I mean. Having never seen a constipated betta I don't know what to look for. He is swimming but grumpy, flaring at self too, not like him with his water park.

 

That is a good question, I would like to know also.
Tom

 

That little bump he has in the back, near his tail (I think this is what you are talking about) is his swim bladder. All Bettas have a little bump there. It is normal. If it becomes very swollen and the fish has trouble swimming then you have swim bladder problems. He looks fine. Constipation will be a round bump right under him between his pectoral fins and in front of the analfin.

 

Thanks Phlox, yeah he is swimming around fine just grumpy but stil eating.

As always you are a great support ...Michelle

 

Taking too much air into his belly can cause swim bladder problems although I don't know if snapping at bubbles is really going to get that much air into his belly. One of mine (Lava Jr) was doing the same thing and I was worried. He seemed to get bored of it though and now just attacks the airstone from time to time like it was an intruder.


I just read this from one of your other replies. Sounds like Flame has had too much fun in his bubble water park! Will it just subside?

 

As long as he is not having having problems swimming he is fine.

 

As long as he is not having having problems swimming he is fine.

Thank you very much.............you are a gem!!

I'm off to bed now, dad laughs and says i'm doing a night shift on here as on till way past 4 am UK time!!! But I love my beasts so worth i!

 

If he is indeed constipated you may want to feed him 3 very small pieces of pea treats. Just nuke it in the microwave for about 45 sec, peel the skin off, and cute 3 pieces the size of his eye and feedthem to him. He will poop soon after he eatsit as it works fast. Natalie

 

Thanks Natalie, he has peas anyway. He seems fine now, looks like it was his swim bladder from too many bubbles but being a new Betta owner I was worried.I go stressed but aren't they just fab!?!? I'm hooked now!!

 

those little stinkers sure can drive you crazy, but make you love them at the same time.

 

Two fins up means " Mom I can't poop", geez Michelle, everyone knows that...LOL

 

Two fins up means " Mom I can't poop", geez Michelle, everyone knows that...LOL

HAHA,

 

Glad to help in anyway I can. Natalie