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The abdomen of my betta is swelling semi-unevenly, but his activity and appetite is still normal. I need help diagnosing his issue.
Tank
What is the water volume of the tank?
10 gallons
How long has the tank been running?
4 years
Does it have a filter?
Yes, eheim canister
Does it have a heater?
Yes
What is the water temperature?
80F
What is the entire stocking of this tank? (Please list all fish and inverts.)
Betta splendens, gold ring danios (8), amano shrimp (2), nerite snail
Maintenance
How often do you change the water?
Once a week originally, but changed to every other week this past month.
How much of the water do you change?
30%-50%
What do you use to treat your water?
None, I use remineralized RO.
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water?
Vacuum and water
*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish?
Yes
What do you use to test the water?
API Masters
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0ppm
pH: 6.5-7.0
Feeding
How often do you feed your fish?
Twice a day, but fasted for 5 days when the issue first appeared.
How much do you feed your fish?
Small pinch, betta prefers to eat towards the middle of the tank, so he eats whatever gets past the school.
What brand of food do you feed your fish?
Fluval Bug Bites, Fluval Flakes, Omega One Pellets and New Life Pellets occasionally.
Do you feed frozen or freeze-dried foods?
Rarely, usually feed some frozen if I have leftover from feeding the Betta albimarginata. The tank does get baby brine for a snack.
Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish?
1 year
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms?
Last Wednesday
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms?
Uneven abdominal swelling of whatever organs are along the lower sides of the belly.
Have you started any treatment for the illness?
I have been doing daily epsom salt baths (tank water plus epsom salt and an almond leaf) for 15-25 minutes, feeding only live baby brine, and did a baby dose of kanaplex.
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase?
Yes, he had ich, but that has long since been cleared up.
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all?
Behavior is still the same. See the pictures below for appearance.
Explain your emergency situation in detail. (Please give a clear explanation of what is going on, include details from the beginning of the illness leading up to now)
The belly suddenly swelled, now is very gradually increasing. Fasting had no impact and live food hasn’t made any difference. I don’t think it is constipation because the swelling is uneven, although there is no pineconing.
The first two pictures are yesterday and the others are today.
Tank
What is the water volume of the tank?
10 gallons
How long has the tank been running?
4 years
Does it have a filter?
Yes, eheim canister
Does it have a heater?
Yes
What is the water temperature?
80F
What is the entire stocking of this tank? (Please list all fish and inverts.)
Betta splendens, gold ring danios (8), amano shrimp (2), nerite snail
Maintenance
How often do you change the water?
Once a week originally, but changed to every other week this past month.
How much of the water do you change?
30%-50%
What do you use to treat your water?
None, I use remineralized RO.
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water?
Vacuum and water
*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish?
Yes
What do you use to test the water?
API Masters
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0ppm
pH: 6.5-7.0
Feeding
How often do you feed your fish?
Twice a day, but fasted for 5 days when the issue first appeared.
How much do you feed your fish?
Small pinch, betta prefers to eat towards the middle of the tank, so he eats whatever gets past the school.
What brand of food do you feed your fish?
Fluval Bug Bites, Fluval Flakes, Omega One Pellets and New Life Pellets occasionally.
Do you feed frozen or freeze-dried foods?
Rarely, usually feed some frozen if I have leftover from feeding the Betta albimarginata. The tank does get baby brine for a snack.
Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish?
1 year
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms?
Last Wednesday
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms?
Uneven abdominal swelling of whatever organs are along the lower sides of the belly.
Have you started any treatment for the illness?
I have been doing daily epsom salt baths (tank water plus epsom salt and an almond leaf) for 15-25 minutes, feeding only live baby brine, and did a baby dose of kanaplex.
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase?
Yes, he had ich, but that has long since been cleared up.
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all?
Behavior is still the same. See the pictures below for appearance.
Explain your emergency situation in detail. (Please give a clear explanation of what is going on, include details from the beginning of the illness leading up to now)
The belly suddenly swelled, now is very gradually increasing. Fasting had no impact and live food hasn’t made any difference. I don’t think it is constipation because the swelling is uneven, although there is no pineconing.
The first two pictures are yesterday and the others are today.
