I'm starting to think I killed my Betta.....

I recently read about constipation and swimming bladder disease in Bettas. I realized that my Betta showed a couple of the signs of these when he died. He was lethargic, stayed at the bottom, and was tipped forward at times. I only had him for a week. I may have overfed him, and I also read that you shouldn't give too many blood worms because they cause constipation. I was giving him them every other day....I feel awful. I NEVER want this to happen again. I researched SO much before buying one, but apparently I didn't read enough about feeding them. What should I know about feeding them? Are blood worms not safe? Is constipation that common? Are Bettas that fragile?

 

I recently read about constipation and swimming bladder disease in Bettas. I realized that my Betta showed a couple of the signs of these when he died. He was lethargic, stayed at the bottom, and was tipped forward at times. I only had him for a week. I may have overfed him, and I also read that you shouldn't give too many blood worms because they cause constipation. I was giving him them every other day....I feel awful. I NEVER want this to happen again. I researched SO much before buying one, but apparently I didn't read enough about feeding them. What should I know about feeding them? Are blood worms not safe? Is constipation that common? Are Bettas that fragile?

Constipation and swim bladder disease in bettas are extremely common. Honestly, he could have been stressed and trying to get used to a new environment and sadly just didn't make it. That happens sometimes. When bettas get stressed, sometimes they don't make it. Since you were feeding him bloodworms every other day, I don't think it was that, especially since you had him for only a week. What was your betta's water temp? If it' was too cold, these symptoms could have occurred. He could have had a disease when you purchased him, you can't justify blame it on yourself with other factors that could have caused it I'm sorry this happened

 

Constipation and swim bladder disease in bettas are extremely common. Honestly, he could have been stressed and trying to get used to a new environment and sadly just didn't make it. That happens sometimes. When bettas get stressed, sometimes they don't make it. Since you were feeding him bloodworms every other day, I don't think it was that, especially since you had him for only a week. What was your betta's water temp? If it' was too cold, these symptoms could have occurred. He could have had a disease when you purchased him, you can't justify blame it on yourself with other factors that could have caused it I'm sorry this happened

Thanks for the encouragement. I honestly thought he died from ammonia poisoning at first. He had high levels in his cup. His tank was set at 82F.

 

Thanks for the encouragement. I honestly thought he died from ammonia poisoning at first. He had high levels in his cup. His tank was set at 82F.

82 is a little high... I don't think it's ammonia poising because of the symptoms you listed

 

82 is a little high... I don't think it's ammonia poising because of the symptoms you listed

Wow! I thought anything between 78-82 was safe! It was between 81-82.

 

I think he was sick to begin with if you only had him for a week. He was instantly in better water when he got out of the cup.

78-79 is a good temp for bettas. And again you only had him for a week, temp probably was not the problem either.

 

I think he was sick to begin with if you only had him for a week. He was instantly in better water when he got out of the cup.

78-79 is a good temp for bettas. And again you only had him for a week, temp probably was not the problem either.

Thanks! I'll definitely shoot for that range next time. I appreciate everyone's encouragement and support. It's hard losing these fish.

 

Wow! I thought anything between 78-82 was safe! It was between 81-82.

78-80, but I seriously think he was already sick

 

Hey BlueRaccoon,
Do you have pictures of when you purchased him?

 

Hey BlueRaccoon,
Do you have pictures of when you purchased him?

Yes! Do you see the red area, where his organs are? He looked swollen under there when I got him. I didn't know if that was normal for a Betta or not.

I'm now waiting on my tank to cycle again. I decided to play it safe and disinfect everything.

 

He seems healthy to me...the water is a bit dirty. Maybe it's just the angle, but he looks like he's at a healthy weight. All a betta needs is a week to become constipated or catch dropsy in my case. It had to have been over feeding, causing constipation. The constipation might have also caused a more fatal condition. These are just theories, but I suggest researching a ton before purchasing a new fish.
Good luck!

 

He seems healthy to me...the water is a bit dirty. Maybe it's just the angle, but he looks like he's at a healthy weight. All a betta needs is a week to become constipated or catch dropsy in my case. It had to have been over feeding, causing constipation. The constipation might have also caused a more fatal condition. These are just theories, but I suggest researching a ton before purchasing a new fish.
Good luck!

Thanks. That's really unfortunate. I read a lot, but apparently not enough about feeding them.....
I have another question. Does anyone know if botanicals are safe for Bettas? I have guava leaves, and I'm wondering if they are safe.

 

Thanks. That's really unfortunate. I read a lot, but apparently not enough about feeding them.....
I have another question. Does anyone know if botanicals are safe for Bettas? I have guava leaves, and I'm wondering if they are safe.

They're very safe and even beneficial

 

The directions say to only add 1 leaf for every 2 gallons a week. It just said it will change your parameters too quickly otherwise.

 

Great to know! Thank you both!

 

, like others have said, your fish was probobly sick when you got it, they go through a lot of stress before finding a home. I just wanted to add, 82 degrees is fine for a betta, but the bettas at the petstore have been living there entire life at room temperature. If you get a new betta, try to start it at a low temperature, and raise the temp the smallest possible amount ever day untill the temp settles at a temp between 78 and 82. Once again, I do not think this is what killed the fish!
Better luck next time!

 

, like others have said, your fish was probobly sick when you got it, they go through a lot of stress before finding a home. I just wanted to add, 82 degrees is fine for a betta, but the bettas at the petstore have been living there entire life at room temperature. If you get a new betta, try to start it at a low temperature, and raise the temp the smallest possible amount ever day untill the temp settles at a temp between 78 and 82. Once again, I do not think this is what killed the fish!
Better luck next time!

Thank you! It's good to know I should slowly increase the temperature. Thanks for the encouragement.

 

So sorry for your loss!!! He was a beautiful boy!!! But I'm glad that you are not giving up!

When you get a new betta, we would love to see a pic!

 

So sorry for your loss!!! He was a beautiful boy!!! But I'm glad that you are not giving up!

When you get a new betta, we would love to see a pic!

Thank you! I appreciate it. I think it just stunned me because I'm not a new fish keeper, but I was new to Bettas. I'm headed to the library to get a book about them, haha. Just in case it was my fault, it won't happen again. Lol. Thank you for the encouragement. Truly. I will definitely share pictures! I'll be adopting one from KGTropicals.

 

Thank you! I appreciate it. I think it just stunned me because I'm not a new fish keeper, but I was new to Bettas. I'm headed to the library to get a book about them, haha. Just in case it was my fault, it won't happen again. Lol. Thank you for the encouragement. Truly. I will definitely share pictures! I'll be adopting one from KGTropicals.

I like KGTropicals bettas, too. You know that they are being treated well, and that they come from a good breeder!

Most of the books that I found about bettas contained info from websites, or were very basic. Martin Brammah's book, The Betta Bible, is all about bettas, types, history, and breeding, but not a lot about betta disease. You might find what you want in a general book about freshwater fish health if you are looking for something about actual fish disease and treatment.

Hope you find what you need!!!

 

I like KGTropicals bettas, too. You know that they are being treated well, and that they come from a good breeder!

Most of the books that I found about bettas contained info from websites, or were very basic. Martin Brammah's book, The Betta Bible, is all about bettas, types, history, and breeding, but not a lot about betta disease. You might find what you want in a general book about freshwater fish health if you are looking for something about actual fish disease and treatment.

Hope you find what you need!!!

Oh, interesting. I may just research a bunch about feeding and Betta disease online. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

Just a heads up...some web sites give bad info, so you kind of have to wade through some things. If you have any questions that you can't find the answers to, you can always search this site or post them. There are a lot of betta people here, and I am sure someone will be able to help you!

 

I guess I have two main questions:
1.) Are blood worms safe for bettas?
2.) How do you know if you are feeding the right amount, and not too much?

 

This is what I found to be true...

1. If the blood worms are frozen, then that is much better than freeze dried. Think of blood worms like you would think of candy....a little is ok, but too much is bad. The freeze dried kind can cause constipation/bloating. Blood worms are a treat, not a staple.

2. As for amounts for feeding, it depends on what you are feeding. And all bettas are different. It helps to know your fish. I feed twice a day, with at least 8 hours in between feedings. For pellets, I usually feed 4 per feeding if the pellets were on the smaller side. I feed Omega One Betta Buffet or North Fin betta pellets. For frozen, using the blister packs, I would use about a half of one serving per feeding, or less if I am giving both pellets and frozen at the same time.

Just keep an eye on the betta's tummy. You can actually see it expand as they eat. Frozen daphnia will help a lot if you can get it. It keeps the digestive track moving well, and can prevent constipation/bloat. Feeding it a few times per week is very helpful.

And ignore the stuff about feeding them as much as they can eat in two or three minutes. I had bettas that could woff down 8 to 10 pellets in that time, lol!

 

This is what I found to be true...

1. If the blood worms are frozen, then that is much better than freeze dried. Think of blood worms like you would think of candy....a little is ok, but too much is bad. The freeze dried kind can cause constipation/bloating. Blood worms are a treat, not a staple.

2. As for amounts for feeding, it depends on what you are feeding. And all bettas are different. It helps to know your fish. I feed twice a day, with at least 8 hours in between feedings. For pellets, I usually feed 4 per feeding if the pellets were on the smaller side. I feed Omega One Betta Buffet or North Fin betta pellets. For frozen, using the blister packs, I would use about a half of one serving per feeding, or less if I am giving both pellets and frozen at the same time.

Just keep an eye on the betta's tummy. You can actually see it expand as they eat. Frozen daphnia will help a lot if you can get it. It keeps the digestive track moving well, and can prevent constipation/bloat. Feeding it a few times per week is very helpful.

And ignore the stuff about feeding them as much as they can eat in two or three minutes. I had bettas that could woff down 8 to 10 pellets in that time, lol!

Thank you. That's all very helpful. I will definitely watch it's stomach. I didn't realize you could watch it expand. I've always heard you should feed your betta peas. Is that true?

 

1.) Are blood worms safe for bettas?
Yes of course! It is great for conditioning a betta for breeding (it's my favorite), but when you feed too much, bloating, dropsy, and especially constipation can occur. It is 100% a treat, meant to be fed (in my case) every monday and friday.
2.) How do you know if you are feeding the right amount, and not too much?
If the betta is at a healthy weight. A healthy weight in my opinion is around the size of a small rock pebble (like the ones used in betta bowls). You should know when your betta is at an unhealthy weight.
Here's the difference between a healthy, too fat, and a too skinny weight. And the pea thing is also true!
Hope this helped!

 

I wouldn't be surprised if it was ammonia.

What was the tank size?

 

I think they wrote their water parameters.

 

Thanks, RSBettas, that's super helpful! The pictures helped a lot!

I had him in a 10g. It was fully cycled.
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nirate: 10ppm
ph: 7.8

The ammonia in his cup was high.

 

About feeding peas....I have read it is ok, and I have read that it is not. I have fed peas to a couple of my bettas before, and it seemed to work some of the time, but not always. But then I researched and found that it is better to give them the daphnia (a protein source) rather than a plant based food. I would say that if you were in a bind, and all you had was a pea, and your betta was bloated, and you fasted the betta for two or three days already, then use the pea. If you can get some daphnia and keep it in the freezer, than that is a bit better.

 

Indeed, to add on to that, bettas are carnivores. Naturally, veggies are not as satisfying or beneficial as a prey food such as daphnia.