My very new betta is bloated!

I have a male betta I got from a pet store about 1 day ago. All of the sudden today he is very bloated. I do t know if this is him getting used to a new diet or something else. I just fed him so he might be full but I am still worried. I added a little salt water. Should I be worried? I will be doing a water change tomorrow. I attacked another picture of him yesterday for comparison. He is swimming around and active.

 

No need for salt, I suggest doing a large WC to remove it.

What kind of food did you feed, how much and if it was pellets did you soak them first? Imo he also looks a little emaciated so it might take him some time to get used to regular feedings and/or you fed him too much. I would fast him a day or two and try feeding a smaller amount the next time you feed him.

 

Welcome to Fishlore! Glad to have another betta parent on board!

 

Hi Justwonderin, Welcome to fishlore.
I read in your profile that you are still learning of the nitrogen cycle. As the tank is new the filter is to new to have the bacteria living ON it that do the work of converting the toxic waste ( poop ) into a less toxic form. As you learn about this “ nitrogen cycle “ and until the tank/ filter has enough bacteria you will need to do many small water changes JUST TO KEEP the fish alive.

 

I have had my tank for a very long time (at least a year) and have many other fish in it. It’s a 20 gallon. And I know a little about the nitrogen cycle I’ve just never heard anyone call it that before so I didn’t realize that is what it’s called. (I was in a hurry to make the profile) I also found out that someone else decided to add blood worms into the tank without telling me so I think he may be too full? (They were given blood worms yesterday) I could be wrong. Anyways thank you for the response.

 

If they (the blood worms) were freeze dried, that could certainly cause him to be bloated, especially if he ate a lot of them...

Bloat is common in bettas if they are overfed, or given too much freeze dried food. Daphnia is good to help keep them regular, so if you could get some of that (frozen or live, if you can stand that), it is good to feed them that at least once per week. It acts as a natural laxative for them.

If he still looks full like that tomorrow, then I agree with Valkyrie Lips that you should fast him for a day or so.

Love him, by the way. Yellows are my favorite! He looks like he has a bit of the cellophane gene, too!

 

If they (the blood worms) were freeze dried, that could certainly cause him to be bloated, especially if he ate a lot of them...

Bloat is common in bettas if they are overfed, or given too much freeze dried food. Daphnia is good to help keep them regular, so if you could get some of that (frozen or live, if you can stand that), it is good to feed them that at least once per week. It acts as a natural laxative for them.

If he still looks full like that tomorrow, then I agree with Valkyrie Lips that you should fast him for a day or so.

Love him, by the way. Yellows are my favorite! He looks like he has a bit of the cellophane gene, too!

Okay thank you! Do I need to be worried about the other fish in my tank eating the daphnia? The blood worms were frozen but possibly a lot. My dad gave my fish the bloodworms so it could have been quite a lot. He has a saltwater tank with lots of crabs and bottom feeders that eat the excess food so he doesn’t quite understand the consequences of over feeding.

 

Thanks for the update Justwonderin, it’s great you have a family sharing fish tank duty’s.

My experience with fasting is that my small fish have gone a week without food ( 10 days) on a few occasions no problem.

 

He should be okay! Less frequent feedings or fasting will usually remedy that. Frozen or live daphnia (not freeze dried) daphnia has laxative properties.
Whenever I get a little carried away and over feed my one betta, he looks like he swallowed a marble. But fasting him for a day or two always works!

 

Okay thank you! Do I need to be worried about the other fish in my tank eating the daphnia? The blood worms were frozen but possibly a lot. My dad gave my fish the bloodworms so it could have been quite a lot. He has a saltwater tank with lots of crabs and bottom feeders that eat the excess food so he doesn’t quite understand the consequences of over feeding.

Daphnia is good for any fish who eats protein, so no problem there. He probably did just get a bit too much to eat. Bettas are all about the food! It's a saltwater tank? Bettas are a freshwater fish, so I am a little confused there...

 

Daphnia is good for any fish who eats protein, so no problem there. He probably did just get a bit too much to eat. Bettas are all about the food! It's a saltwater tank? Bettas are a freshwater fish, so I am a little confused there...

Sorry about the confusion my dad has a saltwater tank but I have a freshwater. He fed the betta the blood worms.

 

Sorry about the confusion my dad has a saltwater tank but I have a freshwater. He fed the betta the blood worms.

Hope he is better! And it looks like he might be chomping on his fins a little (his caudal fin), so it is good to do some frequent water changes to prevent any fin rot setting in. I really do love him!!!!