Betta with swollen tummy :(

[boxman]

My betta has been looking a bit off the last few days, mainly staying at the bottom of the tank wedged under some weed, other times near the surface but almost looks a bit bent in the middle of his body. His bubblenests used to be huge but has made none for a month or more.

Just now I've noticed his tummy looks really swollen and I can see a little bit of poo.

I've been feeding betta flakes with some daphnia flakey vegetable stuff by tetrafin and blood worm (definately not overfeeding).

PH 7.6
Amonia 0.1
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 50-75
Temp 78

The tank is well established by way of a seeded filter and about a 3 week fishless cycle and the tank mates (see sig of 14gal) have been happily living together for a couple of months now without any problems.

I've put a bit of melafix in the tank as I was concerned as to whether he had some infection, now I'm not sure if it's his diet that is causing the problem.

I know I'm asking the right people, now all I need to know is what you would do in my situation.

Thanks in advance!

 

[WILDER]

You have an ammonia reading so it want's a water change, plus your nitrates are a bit high, it could be constipation or a bacteria infection, can she maintain her balance in the water, are scales sticking out like a pinecone, what colour is the poo and is it long and stringy, try some shelled peas and daphnia to help flush her through.

 

[WILDER]

It's the bent spine that's bothering me, could be due to fluid build up, or fish tb.

 

[boxman]

Well, amonia is 0 I assume but 0.1 is the lowest on the chart, sorry, should have made that clearer.

Can't tell what the poo's like but I'm sure it was yellowish, not long, 3-4mm.

Also the colouring on his 'face' is paler but apart from that and the other things I described he's in full colour.

Is it worth putting him in a breeding net for a bit so I can control what he's fed?

 

[WILDER]

No don't want to stress the fish anymore read this with having the bent spine best to be on the safe side.
http/www.4qd.org/Aqua/disease/tb.html

 

[boxman]

It's only apparent (the bend) in the middle of his body when he's lying at the bottom of the tank (he's at top at the moment and he looks fine apart from the faded colour on his 'face' and swollen tummy).

 

[boxman]

Here's a picture of him

 

[WILDER]

Poor little thing, going pale is a sign of stress, he is very bloated, i would get some shelled peas down him, is he still eating.

 

[boxman]

I just gave him his favourite, blood worm, he scoffed lots so he's definately not lost his appetite.

He normally stays in that corner but obviously as bettas have more personality than other fish it's easier to tell when they're not feeling good!

 

[aznmidnite]

I had something similar happen to my first red VT male (which has passed on). At first I thought it was constipation, as his belly was quite swollen like the picture you show (did not really notice a bent spine in him though). Then I noticed the scales were protruding (like a pinecone), and it turned out to be dropsy. I tried treating him with some Maracyn 2, but no luck. Maybe if I treated him sooner... but I didn't know it was dropsy @ first, I thought it was just constipation.

Hope your guy gets better real soon.

 

[boxman]

So would you suggest I remove carbon from filter and then put a dose of melafix?

 

[WILDER]

Melafix is no good, if you quite possitive it's not constipation i would use maracyn 2, good luck.

 

[boxman]

Is that normally available in UK? Is there a UK alternative if not.

 

[WILDER]

Sorry didn't notice you're in the uk, interpet anti internal bacteria med.

 

[boxman]

Ok, my betta's tummy has gone down but he's now just resorted to wedging himself under the nearest plant or flaking out in his tunnel - only at feeding does he show any sort of activity and the bubble nests are definately a thing of the past.

I did two doses of internal bacteria and I'm doing a third dose that finishes tomorrow.

Parameters are as before and a water change is due tomorrow.

Any thoughts as to his inactivity would be really appreciated.