Puffer Betta. Fixing Bloated Betta

Well not a puffer betta he is just constipated lol

But I'm calling him Mr. Puffer right now. I have been fasting him for 3 days and I gave him a pea which he ate half of it. and he still bloated. What would you guys recommend?

I was reading epsom salt baths but a year ago one of my bettas died right after I did a empson salt bath so now I'm afraid to do it again.

Would frozen Daphnia help? or would the fasting and the pea be enough and now I just have to wait for him to get better?

 

I’d continue with the fasting for one more round, if you have daphnia on hand definitely use that instead of peas. Much better for constipation if you have access to it.

How did you do the bath in the past and what was it for? Did you acclimate at all?

The next step(if fasting doesn’t improve things) will be to do an Epsom salt bath, I’d suggest acclimating him to it(short acclimation as you don’t want him to be in that high of concentrations for to to long). I’d try acclimation for 5-10 minutes and do a 5 minute bath then acclimate back.

 

I’d continue with the fasting for one more round, if you have daphnia on hand definitely use that instead of peas. Much better for constipation if you have access to it.

How did you do the bath in the past and what was it for? Did you acclimate at all?

The next step(if fasting doesn’t improve things) will be to do an Epsom salt bath, I’d suggest acclimating him to it(short acclimation as you don’t want him to be in that high of concentrations for to to long). I’d try acclimation for 5-10 minutes and do a 5 minute bath then acclimate back.

Ill keep fasting it. I'm going to the store after work to get some frozen daphnia.

When I did it, it was for a similar situation the fish was bloated too. I just let the container floating on the betta tank so when I introduced the betta to the container the temperature was the same. Maybe I added too much epsom salt.. I'm not sure.

 

Ill keep fasting it. I'm going to the store after work to get some frozen daphnia.

When I did it, it was for a similar situation the fish was bloated too. I just let the container floating on the betta tank so when I introduced the betta to the container the temperature was the same. Maybe I added too much epsom salt.. I'm not sure.

How much did you add? This time I’d suggest doing a drop acclimation so the salinity can be increased slower. Granted it should be a quick drip.

 

Are the scales pineconing at all? Swelling like this could be a sign of fluid build up in the body, which is why a bath can help, since it draws the fluid out.
Also, what are the parameters and how much were you feeding him before he got bloated?

 

Are the scales pineconing at all? Swelling like this could be a sign of fluid build up in the body, which is why a bath can help, since it draws the fluid out.
Also, what are the parameters and how much were you feeding him before he got bloated?

I honestly don't think is dropsy. Could it be from live black worms I was feeding him?

 

That fish is not constipated and it doesn't appear to have the classic dropsy (pine coned scales).That would be fluid filling up his abdominal cavity. I've got a plakat with the same issue. It poops fine, eats normal behaviors about normal too and the darn thing keeps on kicking. I honestly do not know why it happens or how to fix it. I've heard of people using a sterile needle to aspirate the pocket of fluid but I'd be too scared to poke an organ.

 

How much did you add? This time I’d suggest doing a drop acclimation so the salinity can be increased slower. Granted it should be a quick drip.

Maybe that was it. It left him in there too long. Again it wes a year ago so I don't even remember how much salt I added but I know I left him in the container for a few minutes. It was not just a quick drip

 

How much of this salt per gallon do I use?:

For Epsom, you use 1 TABLEspoon (TBSP) per gallon of water. This is three TEAspoons (TSP).

How long does the betta stay in this mixture?:
In Epsom, the betta should stay in for 10-15 minutes, with 10 being less severe need and 15 being a more severe need. Never exceed this time!

How long should my fish be left to acclimate before going back into its tank in this mixture?:
Acclimate your fish (see below) for 2-5 minutes before going back to avoid shock.

Here's what you need to do:

1. Fill your gallon container very fully with clean, treated water. Make sure the water is the same temperature as the water the fish came from in its tank via the thermometer. This prevents temperature shock.
2. Add the salt per recommendation and stir it until it is fully dissolved.
3. Get a second container with 1/4 salted water like your 1 gallon tank, and the rest (3/4) with tank water (this is the "reviving station").
4. Carefully get your fish from its home and gently put it into the water. You must make sure that the fish does not pass out! You can tell if a fish has conked out if it is no longer breathing (look at its gills, by the eyes) or if it lists to the side and becomes still. It may knock out due to the sudden change in salinity (saltiness) of the water, but can be revived.
5. *If the fish passes out or becomes extremely stressed, remove it! Carefully but hastily put the fish into your reviving station to revive. Then, put it into its home again and try the dip another time.
6. If the fish is not super stressed and does not pass out, be very attentive during the recommended time in the dip as the fish may jump due to discomfort or stress. Pay close attention to how long the fish has been in the dip and do not exceed the time!
7. Once the fish is finished, put it into the reviving station to adjust back to more normal water parameters. Then, without pouring the salty water into your tank, put the fish back into its home to recover.

Salt Baths

 

I honestly don't think is dropsy. Could it be from live black worms I was feeding him?

I don't think so. I feed mine freeze dried.

 

Hi
When feeding freeze dried food you must soak it in a spoon of tank water for about 15 to 20 minutes first this is to prevent the dry food from swelling in the Bettas stomach.

 

so decided to do the epsom salt bath 1 table spoon in one gallon of water, left him there for about 15 minutes, then moved him into another 1 gallon container with 1/4 spoon of epsom salt for 10 minutes and then back into his tank. I acclimated him before putting him in the 1 gallon container with salt.

He wasn't looking too good this morning so lets see. *fingers crossed*

 

Goodness, that definitely does not appear to be dropsy or constipation to me, when fluid fills up the abdominal area it looks somewhat clear around that area, and that is what I am seeing.
I would definitely do the epsom salt, it will help draw out fluids, a sick rescue that I took in months ago recovered very quickly through epsom salt baths.
Sounds like you did it exactly how I did, let's hope this can help him out!

 

Goodness, that definitely does not appear to be dropsy or constipation to me, when fluid fills up the abdominal area it looks somewhat clear around that area, and that is what I am seeing.
I would definitely do the epsom salt, it will help draw out fluids, a sick rescue that I took in months ago recovered very quickly through epsom salt baths.
Sounds like you did it exactly how I did, let's hope this can help him out!

I rulled out dropsy but I thought it was constipation because I haven't seen him poop.

When should I repeat the bath if he doesn't get better?

He is a rescue as well. I really don't want to lose this guy.




he has come a long way.

 

I rulled out dropsy but I thought it was constipation because I haven't seen him poop.

When should I repeat the bath if he doesn't get better?

He is a rescue as well. I really don't want to lose this guy.

View attachment 519622

he has come a long way.

I did epsom salts every other day for my bloated betta rescue.

 

Ive done three epsom baths, he ate peas, daphnia I even used some kanaplex and nothing! He is getting larger and larger everyday. And this morning he sterted pineconing.

Is this the end? Should I keep trying? I feel terrible because he seems so uncomfortable.

 

Poor thing... I’m not certain he’s going to be able to recover since he’s got dropsy now as well. I’d suggest considering euthanasia.

If you do decide to continue treatment, you’re going to need to treat it harshly from here on out. This is how I’d suggest-
Dropsy Treatment

 

ooomg, i'm so sorry beautiful betta, I wonder how these things happen?? sighs