Advice?

[KrystaK]

I've had my Betta for about a week now. This entire time, I have not seen him eat anything, but I'm assuming he has eaten something of what I've fed him.
I put flaked food in his tank almost every day, I skipped Wed because I was't home. 
 
Since yesterday I've noticed that he is looking rather large. I've done some research and I think he may be constipated
I want to give him peas, but he hasn't eaten anything recently so I don't know if it would be worth it to cook one or just fast him (Which I read is supposed to be done as well) But I don't want to fast him because I feel like he doesn't eat anyways. So I think it would just be mean.
But honest to goodness he shows no interest in food and he is looking larger than he should for not appearing to eat at all.
 
I could really use some advice on what to do for him. 

 

[snazy]

Not sure really. If you have checked everything else that may be causing stress then just try different food, even algae wafers because mine loves them. My betta is a pig. He jumps at my fingers when I feed him and I've trained him to come to the front glass by tapping on the tank.

 

[Dominus_XVIII]

Fast your betta for 1-2 days, or even 3 if his stomach/abdominal area looks abnormally large. The same thing happens with my female black copper Halfmoon plakat. If I feed her more than 10 of the pellets I use, she gets so bloated that she floats with her back out of the water. After a day of fasting she returns to normal though. Flakes to be truthfully clear, are a bad source of food for bettas. Flakes lack the moisture needed to help digest it properly. The best pre-prepared foods you can get are high quality pellets (either Hikari brand or Atison's betta Pro), just remember to soak the pellets in water first to restore the needed moisture. Frozen foods are also a better choice, just defrost thoroughly.

If his stomach continues to expand, worst case, he might begin to "pinecone". Many enthusiast freak out and read misinformed info, thus leading them to give up on their betta because according to "betta experts" there's nothing you can do at that point.
I want to tell you straight up, that info is 100% bullsh*t! Do not fret and just calmly treat him, it will take time, but it will work.
In all my years of keeping and breeding bettas I've only had one betta fully pinecone up to the point where every single scale popped up and the scales on his face pushed his eyes inward and I cured his pineconing until he was back to 100% healthy.

 

[msasa19]

not sure if you are in the UK, i just bought these for my betta (which i dont even have yet...) http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230862439229?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 2packs of Hikari for £4.75, pretty cheap and they are tiny, and you get loads, will easily last you a couple of months. i also bought tetra betta flakes but i probs wont use them now....

 

[KrystaK]

On Friday I bought Wardley Betta pellets, this was before I noticed his bloating, I had heard from numerous sources that pellets were better.
So I guess I won't feed him today or tomorrow and maybe try half a pea on Tuesday morning and see if he goes for it.
On the bright side he doesn't look any wore than he did yesterday, and he's acting like he normally does, no lethargy or anything to report.  

 

[RCA]

If his stomach continues to expand, worst case, he might begin to "pinecone". Many enthusiast freak out and read misinformed info, thus leading them to give up on their betta because according to "betta experts" there's nothing you can do at that point.
I want to tell you straight up, that info is 100% bullsh*t! Do not fret and just calmly treat him, it will take time, but it will work.
In all my years of keeping and breeding bettas I've only had one betta fully pinecone up to the point where every single scale popped up and the scales on his face pushed his eyes inward and I cured his pineconing until he was back to 100% healthy.

Re: Dominus_XVIII, I would be interested in how you cured "pineconing" is that also what you would call Dropsy?  Would you be willing to share?

If you feel we are going off topic, happy to start a new one ...