Strange behavior --- help?!

I need some advice!


A couple times this morning Lilex has flipped around in his tank as if something has spooked him. It is a very fast flip/jump and then he stays still for about 30 seconds.

Is this indicative of a disease? What steps should I take?

 

I usually don't double post but I wanted to give more information. Lilex seems to be doing better now. He had me so scared!!

I did a water change and the jumping stopped. He has also pooped twice in the last minute (significantly sized). Could that have been a reason why he would be acting strangely? Would he not poop if he felt his water was too dirty?

Like I said, he appears to be acting a lot better and more like his normal self. The poop looks as if he did not chew the pellets at all recently (he hasn't been fed yet today). Should I hold off on feeding for today? How long should I wait in between pellets to make sure he's chewing?

 

It probably hurt him a little to poop if the food was undigested. He needs to have a veggie fast and get cleaned out. Feed him raw veggies (preferably frozen peas but raw carrot works as well) in very tiny pieces. The total amount of the meal should equal about the size of half his eye. His pooping is a Very Good Thing. It means that he is getting over being constipated and should have some relief from the swimbladder condition.

Always wait about 15 seconds between pellets to make them chew their food. I know it is hard to find the time sometimes, but believe me it is better than worrying about a very sick little Betta.

Rose

 

I have been feeding him a tiny piece of raw carrot at feeding times and he LOVES it. He may enjoy it more than the pellets. Odd. ;D


He seems to be getting better and better.

 

Shame, sounds like he was quite sore, poor little guy. Strange that he prefers the carrots though, but like we all know no betta is the same!!! good luck

 

I would make it a part of his normal diet and Raspy's too to have a veggie of some kind at least a couple times a week. When they are not having a veggie fast though the veggie should not take the place of a meal. It can be a treat or snack of sorts as it will not add that much food value to their diet.

I am so glad Lilex is doing better and hopefully this has taught him a bit of a lesson (oh yeah LOL0 about chewing his food. LOL

Rose

 

Lilex is indeed doing better. He had his first meal of pellets today and seemed SO happy to be back! He hasn't had any more trouble with swimming it appears. He did have one small flip yesterday but nothing else.


I think they will like the "snack" since they feel like they never get enough food!! LOL I know Raspy was a big fan of a piece of carrot I gave him. I was just curious if he would eat it and, of course, he devoured it!