Need help with Sick Bettas (bent backs)

[EmmaTheCabbage]

Hello so I was in PetSmart today and they were giving away ‘deformed’ bettas as they couldn’t sell them. (Kinda odd as most of them looked fine) however there were 2 that stood out and were really pretty however they both have some problems. One of them I’m fairly sure has swim bladder disease or similar (the blue guy). He’s still a lot and floats really badly to the top on his side. His sides and belly are also VERY bloated. He’s still active tho. The red one swims well however I noticed his back is crooked to 1 side. It’s pretty bad. Got the red one in my 10 gal with some guppies and the blue one in a 2.5 gal with shrimp. I was wondering if anyone could suggest what I should do. Will just leaving them be be enough for them to recover. My only guess so far is that they were fed too much and water quality was bad in the tubs so they developed internal problems. I’ve kept a couple bettas in the past so know the basics but haven’t had this problem before. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[itiwhetu]

It can be a whole range of things. They should be grateful they have some one who cares. Just look after them the best way you know how and that is all you can do. There is no magic that can be worked on these fish.

 

[Colin_T]

just genetic deformities caused by inbreeding.

the one with possible swim bladder problems probably has air in its intestines. don't give it any dry food for a week and see how it goes. if it swims normally when not on dry food, then it's air in the intestine.

 

[EmmaTheCabbage]

just genetic deformities caused by inbreeding.

the one with possible swim bladder problems probably has air in its intestines. don't give it any dry food for a week and see how it goes. if it swims normally when not on dry food, then it's air in the intestine.

Ah ok that makes sense. Will it be ok with no food for that long? Don’t want him starving.

 

[EmmaTheCabbage]

It can be a whole range of things. They should be grateful they have some one who cares. Just look after them the best way you know how and that is all you can do. There is no magic that can be worked on these fish.

Ye hopefully some tlc helps them a bit. Thanks

 

[Colin_T]

Ah ok that makes sense. Will it be ok with no food for that long? Don’t want him starving.

Feed it with frozen or live food for a week, and don't give it any dry food during that time. The frozen and live foods don't have air in them, whereas dry food does. Frozen and live food will be in the water and the fish won't ingest air when eating it. Dry foods tend to float on the surface and the fish can ingest air when it takes in the food.

 

[EmmaTheCabbage]

Feed it with frozen or live food for a week, and don't give it any dry food during that time. The frozen and live foods don't have air in them, whereas dry food does. Frozen and live food will be in the water and the fish won't ingest air when eating it. Dry foods tend to float on the surface and the fish can ingest air when it takes in the food.

Unfortunately there’s been no improvement at all. His appetite is still great though and he’s active. However yesterday night I noticed ever so slightly that his scales were raised around his belly. Hardly noticeable though. This morning it looks about the same. Also I noticed he may have finrot as his tails gotten a bit more ragidy n shorter. I looked online at medications however since I live in Hawaii I’m quite short on options. I’m just about limited to what they have on petsmart or petco. Can’t order anything online as it’ll take 1-2 weeks normally. Do you know what medications may be good for treating him?

 

[Colin_T]

You don't use medications for fin rot. Just do a big water change and gravel clean the substrate every day for a week or two to treat fin rot. You can add a bit of salt if needed (1-2 heaped tablespoons per 20 litres of water) but I don't think you need it.

No ide about the scales. What does the fish's poop look like?
If it's white and stringy there's a problem. If it's coloured and normal it's fine.