Please tell me it's not so!!!!!

[Ember]

I just went to turn off Athena's light. Looking at her I noticed that she seems really bloated. I sure hope this isn't the first signs of something. Hopefully it's just constipation and not the first signs of dropsy!

Maybe I should try the pea remedy? I've never been successful at getting a betta to eat a pea. Any tips?

 

[Kiarra]

Well, how do you prep the pea? That could have something to do with it.

Definitely start with the pea, but Athena's a girl...are you sure she's not just fat with eggs?

 

[Ember]

Hmmmm! I hadn't thought of that.
I've had her for about 27 months or so. I've never seen her be full like this. But now that I'm thinking about it, I've done a few things different recently that might lead to that.

1. Been feeding live foods for the first time. About 8 days now, first brine shrimp then black worms.
2. I have two guys up on the piano (about 8 feet away from her and up about 3 ft). I wouldn't think she could see them but after seeing Dart go after the tiny biogold pellets in front of his tank, I should reconsider that theory. I might be underestimating her vision.
3. Added a few otos to her tank She's been alone for about 2 yrs. She seems been having a blast watching them.



#1 alone may be enough for her to get eggs wouldn't it? Live food?
She is as lively as ever. No signs of illness in her behavior. Could very well be eggs. Very astute suggestion!

How will I be able to know?
Is there anything I should be doing? Will she just release them?

 

[Kiarra]

With the addition of live foods, it wouldn't surprise me if it really were eggs. They get this way from time to time. In most all cases, they just release them on their own, though it doesn't really hurt them to stay fat all the time...some just never seem to release, but they don't suffer from it.

If it is eggs, then her ovipositor should be extended, and, if viewed from behind and underneath, you should almost be able to see up it (think a little black dot in the middle of the white tube). If she's dark-colored, her belly should appear lighter than the rest of her overall coloration. If she's light-colored, her belly should appear DARKER than her original coloration.

But, to cover yourself in case it is constipation, then take a frozen pea and stick it in the microwave with just enough dechlored water to cover it for about 10-15 seconds, then pull it out, let it cool, remove the shell, and feed the innards. To get her to eat it if she doesn't want to, try sticking it on a toothpick and dragging it slowly along the surface to induce her hunting reflex. Most Bettas like peas once you can get them to actually try them.

Dropsy usually has other symptoms, so if she's behaving normally, I really doubt it's dropsy.

 

[Ember]

Her belly does appear a different color. In addition, the last few days I seemed to notice her spots have darkened. She always had light freckle type markings on her face but they've really been enhanced. I figured it was the live food but maybe it's the hormones.
I didn't notice the oviposter. But I didn't know to look for it. I'll get a good look tomorrow.

I'll have to go get a fresh bag of peas tomorrow and try to give her one. She is a voracious eater so she very well may eat it eagerly. Thanks for the recipe.

It seems cruel that she's "ready to go" with all these gorgeous males around and I'm not planning on breeding.

 

[bettaboi]

could you post some pics that would really help

 

[Ember]

I don't have a decent digicam! I have a great 35mm but takes too long to use up the roll and get it developed just to get a "quick" tank shot. Plus you never know what you're gonna get until it comes back.

Forgot to add, she seems ok. I believe I can see the oviposter. It's just a tiny white spot and I can only see it if she lowers her bottom fins (forgot what they're called). Not sure really what it's supposed to look like but I think that's what it is.

 

[Kiarra]

As long as she behaves all right, then she probably is all right. Did you get her to eat a pea just in case?