Red Boi (betta) Coning, Is It Possibly Dropsy?

Hello all.
My stepmothers betta is pretty bloated, and he’s beginning to cone.
I’ve heard of dropsy, though I’ve never experienced it in any of my fish.

The betta is in a temporary 1gal bowl since we just moved and I haven’t got his ten gal set back up yet. He still moved around quite a bit and was bubble nesting last week when I went to my mothers house, and looked completely fine. His temp tank is barebottomed and he has his plastic plant, which he’s had since he was in a .5 that was half full (my stepmom is terrible at fishkeeping)

He’s not breathing heavily, but he looks like he swallowed a small marble. He still eats, I gave him two pellets his morning to see if he would.
Thoughts?

 

I can't tell anything from that photo at all. Add an airstone to get some airflow and oxygen in the water even though bettas breathe air directly. Get his 10 gallon setup immediately.
I'd also get Kanaplex (kanamycin) on hand just in case and start giving him Epsom salt baths to reduce swelling and perhaps induce bowel movement if he's constipated. Because I can't tell if he's pineconing or bloated in a dropsy way, I don't know for sure if that's the issue.

I'd give him a pea to provide fiber and see if that helps. Best case scenario it's just constipation.
Make sure to do a 50% water change every day since he's in a 1 gallon. He needs very clean water and environment right now and such a small tank will dirty quickly.
Is there a filter and heater?
Also, was he sick before you moved?

 

I would quarantine him. I agree to use Kanaplex and epsom salt, and Melafix is one that tends to work for dropsy as well. How long has he been showing symptoms? Fish with dropsy tend to last only around 2 weeks I'm pretty sure. It's not impossible to save fish with dropsy, but by treating them with medicine you lower the chances of it becoming fatal.
Also pretty important is to give him a good, varied diet. I agree with giving him a shelled pea. Also other blanched vegetables like cucumber. You can feed him live foods, frozen foods, blanched veggies, pellets, and flakes. Any of those you can buy I would recommend getting a few of them and giving him a healthy diet.
Whatever tank you're converting him to, make sure it has optimal water parameters, no ammonia or nitrites, neutral pH, medium to slighly hard water. And proper filtration and aeration.
Hope this helped.

 

I'd like to add/clarify not to treat with Kanamycin/Kanaplex unless you're absolutely sure he has dropsy and/or is pineconing since medications, especially when used improperly or unnecessarily, can take a toll on the fish and we don't want to make things worse if he's already not feeling well.

 

I can't tell anything from that photo at all. Add an airstone to get some airflow and oxygen in the water even though bettas breathe air directly. Get his 10 gallon setup immediately.
I'd also get Kanaplex (kanamycin) on hand just in case and start giving him Epsom salt baths to reduce swelling and perhaps induce bowel movement if he's constipated. Because I can't tell if he's pineconing or bloated in a dropsy way, I don't know for sure if that's the issue.

I'd give him a pea to provide fiber and see if that helps. Best case scenario it's just constipation.
Make sure to do a 50% water change every day since he's in a 1 gallon. He needs very clean water and environment right now and such a small tank will dirty quickly.
Is there a filter and heater?
Also, was he sick before you moved?

I’d love to add an air stone or set up the 10, but I can’t. My father is the only one who can lift the 10 and he won’t do it until we get it’s stand, which is in the basement. Even then it’s not cycled. We don’t have any money right now which is the hardest part of all this, all I have are imagitarium bacterial and parasitic medications. The only epsoms salt we have has other stuff in it like acidic oils and stuff so I don’t want to hurt him further.
There’s no filter or heater but I am doing 15% water changes every morning to help him out.

The thing I hate the most is neither of my parents care about the bettas. He was a free class pet from petco since he wouldn’t sell compared to the beautiful rosetails, so they just don’t care. He wouldn’t go out and buy meds or an air stone even if we did have money. I want to make him as comfortable as I can though, and I’m going to bump up his water changes.

I have a 2.5 gallon tank I’m moving him to later that has a filter and heater. I’m definitely going to get him a pea, and we’ll see how he does. I really hope he’s just constipated and it’s jot dropsy.

 

I would quarantine him. I agree to use Kanaplex and epsom salt, and Melafix is one that tends to work for dropsy as well. How long has he been showing symptoms? Fish with dropsy tend to last only around 2 weeks I'm pretty sure. It's not impossible to save fish with dropsy, but by treating them with medicine you lower the chances of it becoming fatal.
Also pretty important is to give him a good, varied diet. I agree with giving him a shelled pea. Also other blanched vegetables like cucumber. You can feed him live foods, frozen foods, blanched veggies, pellets, and flakes. Any of those you can buy I would recommend getting a few of them and giving him a healthy diet.
Whatever tank you're converting him to, make sure it has optimal water parameters, no ammonia or nitrites, neutral pH, medium to slighly hard water. And proper filtration and aeration.
Hope this helped.

I don’t know how long he’s been symptomatic, since I only came back to this house this morning and noticed him not doing well

 

Unfortunately, if it's truly dropsy, the survival rate is very low even with treatment. And without treatment and proper care, he probably won't survive--if it's dropsy.
I'm sorry that your parents don't care about your pet. Some people don't understand that fish are companions, too, and living creatures that deserve love and care just like dogs or cats. My own family doesn't really get it either. I just had a discussion with my grandma about this last week. They think I spend too much money on fish, which I do spend quite a bit of money on them, but as cheap as possible and things on sale and only if it's to give them good lives. Considering they're really the only thing I spend money on besides rent, food, school, and household things, I don't see the issue. At least it's not purses and shoes!

 

Unfortunately, if it's truly dropsy, the survival rate is very low even with treatment. And without treatment, he probably won't survive--if it's dropsy.
I'm sorry that your parents don't care about your pet. Some people don't understand that fish are companions, too, and living creatures that deserve love and care just like dogs or cats. My own family doesn't really get it either.

I hate it so much. Technically he’s not even mine, my stepmother bought him as a class pet and I’ve been caring for him since she doesn’t even bother. She refuses to cycle her other bettas tank, feeds them garbage, and never changes their water. There’s a blue betta in a 5.5 gal downstairs that doesn’t have a filter or heater at all because ‘oh he’s a betta they don’t need those. They live in mud puddles’

 

They live in mud puddles’

Yeah, in the tropics where it's usually like 80 degrees. Most people don't keep their house that warm. Plus they actually live in large rice patties, but I digress.

 

Yeah, in the tropics where it's usually like 80 degrees. Most people don't keep their house that warm. Plus they actually live in large rice patties, but I digress.

That’s what I’ve been saying! It’s around 75 degrees in my room, so he doesn’t mind the heat. But still.
I’m setting up the 2gal, I just have no idea what kind of filter came with it

 

I hate it so much. Technically he’s not even mine, my stepmother bought him as a class pet and I’ve been caring for him since she doesn’t even bother. She refuses to cycle her other bettas tank, feeds them garbage, and never changes their water. There’s a blue betta in a 5.5 gal downstairs that doesn’t have a filter or heater at all because ‘oh he’s a betta they don’t need those. They live in mud puddles’

Sorry to hear that. You might have to get the betta go. Whenever you get a chance to give him a pea, I would and see how he does, that's the first thing I'd recommend. After that if the bloating/pineconing increases, see if you ever get a chance to get any medicine for the poor guy, but most likely you might have to say goodbye. Dropsy is hard to treat.

Unfortunately, if it's truly dropsy, the survival rate is very low even with treatment. And without treatment and proper care, he probably won't survive--if it's dropsy.
I'm sorry that your parents don't care about your pet. Some people don't understand that fish are companions, too, and living creatures that deserve love and care just like dogs or cats. My own family doesn't really get it either. I just had a discussion with my grandma about this last week. They think I spend too much money on fish, which I do spend quite a bit of money on them, but as cheap as possible and things on sale and only if it's to give them good lives. Considering they're really the only thing I spend money on besides rent, food, school, and household things, I don't see the issue. At least it's not purses and shoes!

People say I spend too much money on fish too! Guess non-fish keepers don't understand us.

 

The filter for a 2 gallon shouldn't be too strong for the betta, but if it is, you can try blocking or dispersing the flow by putting something underneath it. It'll be better than nothing.

 

The filter for a 2 gallon shouldn't be too strong for the betta, but if it is, you can try blocking or dispersing the flow by putting something underneath it. It'll be better than nothing.

He doesn’t seem bothered by it, in his 10 he has a filter meant for a 30-40 gal since that’s just what I had and he never minded.

Here he is in his new tank! He likes it a lot already, I’m sure having space to swim and sand to lay on is making him happier

 

Update on red boi!

He’s gotten more lethargic but that also could be because it’s time for bed in my room. I got better pictures. His scales have smoothed out a bit but he’s still so bloated he doesn’t even look like a betta anymore

 

Oh yeah, he's huge. Poor guy.

 

Oh yeah, he's huge. Poor guy.

He’s such a sweetheart too, he comes and let’s me touch him and will sit in my hands
I’m going to find a pea for him tomorrow. Would a tiny chunk of green bean work? I know I have those

 

Would a tiny chunk of green bean work

If it's a frozen or fresh green bean. I think canned usually has salt and/or preservatives.

I literally just had to let one of my bettas eat her squished pea guts off my finger because she's such a dork that she didn't even notice I'd fed her, so so focused on my finger.

 

If it's a frozen or fresh green bean. I think canned usually has salt and/or preservatives.

My parents keep frozen green beans for our beardie, so I’ll give him some of that. I hope this is just constipation

 

Quit replying so fast, I don't have enough time to edit my replies xD

Okay, good. I just pop it in a little container or "shot glass" with water and microwave for 30 seconds or so which quickly boils it. Then I put it in front of my fan to cool.

 

Quit replying so fast, I don't have enough time to edit my replies xD

Okay, good. I just pop it in a little container or "shot glass" with water and microwave for 30 seconds or so which quickly boils it. Then I put it in front of my fan to cool.

XD sorry lol, I’ll definitely do that

 

Update on red boi:
He has white lumps on his head and sides, I’m treating for parasites right now. On and off clamping of his left fin and labored wheezing. I don’t think he’s gonna make it much longer, sadly.

 

What medication are you using? Did you ever give Epsom salt baths or kanaplex?

 

What medication are you using? Did you ever give Epsom salt baths or kanaplex?

The API parasitic treatment that comes in a bottle. I don’t have epsoms salt that won’t hhrt him. He’s an old boy, so I’m gonna do my best for him but if he passes, he lived an amazing life

 

The API parasitic treatment that comes in a bottle. I don’t have epsoms salt that won’t hhrt him. He’s an old boy, so I’m gonna do my best for him but if he passes, he lived an amazing life

That won't treat dropsy in pretty sure, but I'm glad he's lived a long good life.

 

That won't treat dropsy in pretty sure, but I'm glad he's lived a long good life.

Yeah, for a while it seemed like he had a fungal infection on his face, but he pineconed earlier today and can’t handle the flow of his bubbling filter. Moved the filter to snail quarantine tank for now

 

Are you going to treat him or leave him be?

 

Are you going to treat him or leave him be?

I don’t have the money to buy other medications. I’m gonna let him go. That and my stepmother won’t let me treat him because he’s actually her fish and I’m just caring for him