Very Constipated Betta

Hi, all -

My betta is severely constipated, & despite an Epsom salt bath yesterday, feeding peas, fasting & soaked pellets, he hasn't "gone" for what seems like a month.

Despite a large swollen belly, he seems otherwise normal. Today I fed him 2 tiny soaked pellets which he ate eagerly, then small parts of the pellets seemed to come out of his gills!

Now I'm afraid to feed him at all, & am very worried & frustrated. Does anyone have any other ideas that may help "Echo". Please help if you can.

 

Maybe try daily Epsom salt baths along with fasting for a few days, feeding, then fasting. Hope this helps and your fish gets better! c:

 

Can we see pics.

 

Sorry, can't send pics. He's in a 10G w/ an ADF & I think he may be eating her frog pellets. I'm going to re-home her in a tank by herself tomorrow, & continue to treat him for constipation. Fingers crossed.

No pineconing, & normal swimming & behavior so far; just a tummy the size of a small marble.

 

Hope he gets better!

 

If fasting/peas didn't help for a month, and it's the size you say it is... maybe it's about time to treat for internal parasites.

Try metronidazole or fenbedazole, or if you can't find any, try soaking his food in API general cure (no, prazi/paraguard won't help).

 

I agree with tunafax I would try treating with API General cure. I would remove the adf for sure.

Keep up with daily Epsom salt baths. Very very limited feeding. I wouldn't give any pellets. Just feed a pea every 2-3 days until you see evidence of a bowel movement.

Salt Baths

 

Thanks for your helpful advice for poor Echo. The ADF is in her own 3G tank as of this am, & I gave Echo his 2nd Epsom salts bath. This one seemed more stressful on him than the 1st one yesterday; but now, a couple of hours later, he seems more comfortable back in his tank.

Ordered some API General Cure, but won't receive it 'til next Mon - Thurs. Couldn't get the 2 day shipping on AMAZON for this. I live nowhere near a LFS, so have to get everything ONL.

This may sound stupid, but I have to ask....can I reuse the bath water w/salts for another one tomorrow, or should I do fresh?

Thanks again you guys. I feel terrible about this.