SOS - Bloated Female Betta Eggbound?

My tiny female beta has been happy and healthy in her tank for 3 years. It’s five gallons with a heater, a filter, and a light.

We fed her pellets once a day for years and she was always fine. About a month ago she became bloated. We fasted her for a few days and then introduced freeze dried daphnia. This didn’t help. Fish store guy told us to vary her diet. This hasn’t helped either.

She is continuously becoming more bloated. Right now, her belly is distended both downwards and out to the sides. It looks like the bloated part of her tummy is a much lighter color than the rest of her, and she has the little egg bead thing that looks like a grain of salt (although I feel like I’ve noticed the bead in the past when she wasn’t bloated). It looks incredibly uncomfortable.

She is not currently pineconeing and other than the bloating and stomach discoloration she looks the same as usual. She still has an appetite and is still swimming around her tank, although a bit sluggishly.

Went to a another fish store today and the lady said that she thinks she is egg bound. What can I do to help her? What should I be feeding her? Should I do epsom salts or aquarium salts? How do I prevent it from becoming dropsy? Alternatively, she is likely around 4 years old. Does there come a point where I should consider putting her down? The LAST thing I want is for her to suffer. I would really appreciate any help.

 

My tiny female beta has been happy and healthy in her tank for 3 years. It’s five gallons with a heater, a filter, and a light.

We fed her pellets once a day for years and she was always fine. About a month ago she became bloated. We fasted her for a few days and then introduced freeze dried daphnia. This didn’t help. Fish store guy told us to vary her diet. This hasn’t helped either.

She is continuously becoming more bloated. Right now, her belly is distended both downwards and out to the sides. It looks like the bloated part of her tummy is a much lighter color than the rest of her, and she has the little egg bead thing that looks like a grain of salt (although I feel like I’ve noticed the bead in the past when she wasn’t bloated). It looks incredibly uncomfortable.

She is not currently pineconeing and other than the bloating and stomach discoloration she looks the same as usual. She still has an appetite and is still swimming around her tank, although a bit sluggishly.

Went to a another fish store today and the lady said that she thinks she is egg bound. What can I do to help her? What should I be feeding her? Should I do epsom salts or aquarium salts? How do I prevent it from becoming dropsy? Alternatively, she is likely around 4 years old. Does there come a point where I should consider putting her down? The LAST thing I want is for her to suffer. I would really appreciate any help.

You could try feeding peas and fasting while waiting for someone more experienced

 

You could try feeding peas and fasting while waiting for someone more experienced

Even if you’re not sure what I should do for treatment I really appreciate you taking the time to respond.

 

Even if you’re not sure what I should do for treatment I really appreciate you taking the time to respond.

You could try a episom salt bath but clean water and no food usually helps best for bloat

 

You could try a episom salt bath but clean water and no food usually helps best for bloat

I’m going to a reputable local fish store tomorrow to show them pictures and videos. I’m not sure if it’s bloat or if she’s eggy. Do you have experience with the epsom salt baths? I’m worried that that may stress her out too much if I have to remove her from the tank. She’s 4 years old.

 

Four years is very old for a betta. She’s probably come to the end of her natural lifespan.

 

Four years is very old for a betta. She’s probably come to the end of her natural lifespan.

It’s gotten worse throughout the day. She keeps sinking to the bottom of the tank and periodically going to the surface for air. We lowered the water level to make it easier for her. Would you recommend that we try to treat her or do you think it would be more humane to put her down? I’m just so so sad. I guess I’m glad to know it isn’t our fault.

 

You lowered the water for her. Thats good. Is she still eating? You could try a Epsom bath, that relieves fluids causing bloat. Just try to make her comfy. Shes a old lady for sure. Hugs.

Welcome to Fishlore btw

 

You lowered the water for her. Thats good. Is she still eating? You could try a Epsom bath, that relieves fluids causing bloat. Just try to make her comfy. Shes a old lady for sure. Hugs.

Welcome to Fishlore btw

She is still eating yes. But I’m not sure what I should be feeding her. She still swims right to the top whenever we walk in the room. I’ve never dealt with a sick fish before - is the epsom bath something that I could do in the tank or would I have to remove her? She’s the only one in there. My goal is to make her as comfortable as possible. I really really appreciate your help.

 

Can you get frozen Daphnia instead of the freeze dried? Yeah a Epsom bath you would have to remove her. That may be too stressful. I just did one on my female yesterday, Shes super chill and didnt care. But every betta is different.

 

Can you get frozen Daphnia instead of the freeze dried? Yeah a Epsom bath you would have to remove her. That may be too stressful. I just did one on my female yesterday, Shes super chill and didnt care. But every betta is different.

I might try it - I’ll see how she’s doing in the morning after I go out and buy some salts. I don’t know of any local places that sell frozen daphnia but I have frozen brine shrimp and live black worms as well. Idk if either of those would work well?

 

Just make sure the Epsom is not scented. If you cant get the frozen the freeze dried will do.

 

Just make sure the Epsom is not scented. If you cant get the frozen the freeze dried will do.

Okay thank you so so much for all of your help. You’re the best.

 

Brine shrimp and daphnia will provide some roughage; blackworms can worsen the bloating.

 

Brine shrimp and daphnia will provide some roughage; blackworms can worsen the bloating.

Okay, I’ll hold off on those for the time being. Thank you!!!

 

Brine shrimp and daphnia will provide some roughage; blackworms can worsen the bloating.

I had no idea on the black worms thanks! Now I know too!