Super Bloated Betta Male

[SumoBettaOwner]

So... aside from the fact that my sumo betta male challenges all other bettas to a wrestling match...!
What is up with my poor guy?!? Sadly, this is the 2nd time he's gone all bloated on me...first time was in May for 2 weeks...I gave him Maracyn (pos and neg gram), epsom salts, peas, the works...but nothing much happened...so one day I walked into a different room, walked back in and it was like he stopped holding his breath! He was totally back to normal size, no bloat at all. Well, except for the fact that his gut had begun to bust toward the end. Never went back to normal. So I just keep the water clean so no infections occur. But this time is worse (in terms of size)... except that he is ravenous, swims around like a madman, poops like a champ, and seems totally happy being the Goodyear Blimp.
...Anyone know what's up with him? (as you can see...no pine cone effect, so maybe not dropsy?)
Thanks to all!

 

[Htw]

Does look a little on the large side. How much, what and when do you feed him? Is he on his own or in with other fish?

 

[SumoBettaOwner]

Does look a little on the large side. How much, what and when do you feed him? Is he on his own or in with other fish?

I feed him every day...mostly pellets and flakes...usually 2 pellets in the morning and some flakes in the evening. Freeze-dried bloodworms seem to have started the bloating back in May (when he was bloated, constipated, lethargic). May be the same thing this time.
He's in his own bowl. His 2 neighbor bettas eat the same food, same amounts, and at the same times, get water changes at the same time, and --knock on wood-- are just fine.

 

[beetle]

I feed him every day...mostly pellets and flakes...usually 2 pellets in the morning and some flakes in the evening. Freeze-dried bloodworms seem to have started the bloating back in May (when he was bloated, constipated, lethargic). May be the same thing this time.
He's in his own bowl. His 2 neighbor bettas eat the same food, same amounts, and at the same times, get water changes at the same time, and --knock on wood-- are just fine.

One thing I came across while researching about bloat was that it is best to give some non-dried food. Petco/ petsmart sell bloodworms frozen in cubes instead of freeze dried, petco sells wingless fruit flies which I've seen recomended, also frozen daphnia. I'm really going to back off the dried foods if mine recovers.

Also note your water temp. I was running mine a bit low at 72 deg, now while mine's bloated I've upped it to 80 degrees.

Also, note the fish's age. Apparently as they approact 2 years old they get more prone to infection.

Glad to hear Maracyn helped you, it's what I'm about to try after the peas, epsom etc. have not done much good.

 

[Htw]

Hmmm. I'm no expert on this. Constipation doesn't seem to be the cause, neither does overfeeding. Dropsy can be caused by a few things, so I would think it is probably that. Pineconing doesn't always happen straight away if the bloating happens slowly. once there is pineconing it's often too late. Epsom salts is/are good to try as it helps him to release the fluid that has built up, but prob best not to bombard him with too many different remedies at once.
Good luck.

There may be someone else on here that could be more help to you.

 

[betta one]

please read all of the site!!!: www.bettatalk.com
sorry that i can't give u any personal advice as i have never come accros that.

best hopes and blesses for him

 

[SumoBettaOwner]

Thanks for all the replies, advice and encouragement! I got the bettas 1 year ago, so I'm assuming they're all at least 1-1/2 years old. This bloated/swollen condition is most disturbing because he seems to feel pretty good but looks ghastly. His bottom side is rupturing (puffy, white, awful). I fed him some cooked/chopped edamame tonight...what's the worst that could happen right? I'll report back.
I hope somebody figures this out eventually for the sake of all pet bettas. I guess it just drives home the point that they're hardy yet fragile little buggers who shouldn't be living in tanks and bowls but should be living wild and eating mosquito larvae in rice paddies.

 

[Leedsboi86]

Thanks for all the replies, advice and encouragement! I got the bettas 1 year ago, so I'm assuming they're all at least 1-1/2 years old. This bloated/swollen condition is most disturbing because he seems to feel pretty good but looks ghastly. His bottom side is rupturing (puffy, white, awful). I fed him some cooked/chopped edamame tonight...what's the worst that could happen right? I'll report back.
I hope somebody figures this out eventually for the sake of all pet bettas. I guess it just drives home the point that they're hardy yet fragile little buggers who shouldn't be living in tanks and bowls but should be living wild and eating mosquito larvae in rice paddies.

That would be wilds,
Sadly the Breed-Offs(Other tails) wouldn't survive in wild conditions