Bloated betta

[Tropicolo]

Hi

My over-3years old betta has a swollen belly. I tried peas, and later Epsom (1 tspn-4g), but with no results.

Does anyone has an effective remedy for this condition? Its been a week now, and i dont know how much longer hes gonna last

Thanks for your help

 

[Kiarra]

Well, 3 years old, so it's possible his immune system has been compromised. So it'll be a bit harder to treat him, and it might not work, but it's obvious you adore him, so by all means do whatever you can for him.

When you view him from above and look down on him, does he look bloated? Are his scales sticking out from his body?

 

[WILDER]

Your've done well to have a betta three years, can the fish maintain it's blance in the water, are scales sticking out like a pinecone.

 

[Tropicolo]

Thank you both for your help

No, its not dropsy, so the scales arent sticking out, and yes, hes got a big bloaty swollen belly. And he tend to drown when staying at the top, so he stays a lot at the bottom, except when its lunch time.

As if it aint enough, we have a 107,6 F and even more in Montreal (with the humidity factor) heat wave in Quebec ! So i did take out some water of his 5G to boost the CO2 level by the splash of the Aquaclear, but still, the water temp is over 30C (86F i think), and the heat wave is only supposed to go away next wednesday

 

[BettaMomma]

Hmm.
Well, it still could be dropsy - and the pineconing just hasn't started yet. Or it could be an internal infection. OR he could be constipated. Have you tried fasting him? Go 2 - 3 days without feeding, and in the meantime head over to the grocery store and get a bag of frozen peas. Cook some of them up for him in a microwave safe dish in dechlorinated water - then when they're done cooking, shell them and chop them up. Give him a few little hunks of it. It could be that he has a few things going on in there - and with the temp of the water what it is, that could be making things progress.

He could have some sort of internal infection which is messing with his organs, and therefore could affect his swim bladder eventually too.

If your fish were mine, I would not feed him for the next 3 days, give him some peas each day, once a day. If, after 2 days his belly hasn't significantly gone down, I would medicate him - get some Maracyn 2 (if you can find some). If he does have the start of dropsy OR some sort of infection going on in there, that will take care of both of those. M2 can be found at any lfs or at PetSmart or PetCo.

Is there any way you can try to bring down the temp of his tank easily?

 

[fishykisses]

I've heard of floating a bag with an icecube in it to cool down the tank slowly - good luck!
I'm having sinking issues with my little guy too.

 

[cynqueen]

Bonjour!

I am in Montreal too and was freaking out at the water temp in Bubbles' tank. It was at 87 on Saturday ... although he didn't seem to mind it.

I've heard of floating a bag with an icecube in it to cool down the tank slowly

I will try that next time his tank gets that hot.

I don't know about the swollen tummy though - Bubbles has had that and now I give him 1 pea a week, day before water change then skip his next meal.

Hope your guy feels better (and hope this heatwave breaks soon!!)

Cynthia