Swollen betta

[Renee]

I was given a betta which had been kept in a small
tank where it didn't get much attention, and
appeared to be very, very fat. I took it, and put
it on a diet (and kept an eye on it), but it has
become evident that it's not fat, it's grotesquely
swollen.

From behind his gills to his lower fins, he's a
perfect sphere from the bottom half down, gone
shimmery in color.

He flares vigorously at the goldfish in the tank
beside him, he eats with enthusiasm, he swims
about merrily, but he looks like he swallowed a
marble. Despite his cheery demeanor, I can't
imagine that being that distended can be
comfortable, let alone healthy.

A look through Google didn't give me any good
leads on diagnosis or treatment (if any), so I'm
hoping someone here might have some advice for me
and this bloaty betta.

Thanks in advance

Renee
--
Remove the BIG SMALPH to email me,
or go to smalph com.

[Renee]

Renee wrote:

> I was given a betta which had been kept in a small tank where it didn't
> get much attention, and appeared to be very, very fat. I took it, and
> put it on a diet (and kept an eye on it), but it has become evident that
> it's not fat, it's grotesquely swollen.
>
> From behind his gills to his lower fins, he's a perfect sphere from the
> bottom half down, gone shimmery in color.
>
> He flares vigorously at the goldfish in the tank beside him, he eats
> with enthusiasm, he swims about merrily, but he looks like he swallowed
> a marble. Despite his cheery demeanor, I can't imagine that being that
> distended can be comfortable, let alone healthy.
>
> A look through Google didn't give me any good leads on diagnosis or
> treatment (if any), so I'm hoping someone here might have some advice
> for me and this bloaty betta.
>
> Thanks in advance

Sorry to follow up, but I thought I should add
that his scales are not protruding at all, so I've
been assuming it's not dropsy.

Renee
--
Remove the BIG SMALPH to email me,
or go to smalph com.

[bettasngoldfish]

Try fasting him for a few days then feed him one frozen (thawed and
shelled first) pea. Hopefully that will get things moving for him.

[Lisa]

Renee - try this site: www.nippyfish.net

It has very good information. Basically, very clean, warm water, at
least 1 gallon per betta (mine have 5 gallons each), and a varied diet
are the best. 1 tablespoon of aquarium salt per 5 gallons of water is
also helpful as a tonic. Room temp water, in a small bowl, is not good
for bettas at all, even though this is how they are commonly kept.
Bettas need a heater and filtered water, just like other tropical fish.
I feed frozen bloodworms and tubifex, alternating with brine shrimp.
Getting a water test kit to keep tabs on ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and
pH would be a good idea.

I have read that offering the inside of a defrosted pea (remove the
skin) can act as a laxative for bettas. The swelling doesn't sound
good, but improving his water conditions can only help. There are
others on this list who can give better and more specific information.

Good luck!

- Lisa in Central Coast CA

[bettasngoldfish]

Oh, I should also mention that dry foods are often times not the best
choice for a betta. Try feeding some frozen type foods that can be
purchased at your lfs. Blood worms and brine shrimp are often times a
favorite.

[Elaine T]

Renee wrote:
> Renee wrote:
>
>> I was given a betta which had been kept in a small tank where it
>> didn't get much attention, and appeared to be very, very fat. I took
>> it, and put it on a diet (and kept an eye on it), but it has become
>> evident that it's not fat, it's grotesquely swollen.
>>
>> From behind his gills to his lower fins, he's a perfect sphere from
>> the bottom half down, gone shimmery in color.
>>
>> He flares vigorously at the goldfish in the tank beside him, he eats
>> with enthusiasm, he swims about merrily, but he looks like he
>> swallowed a marble. Despite his cheery demeanor, I can't imagine that
>> being that distended can be comfortable, let alone healthy.
>>
>> A look through Google didn't give me any good leads on diagnosis or
>> treatment (if any), so I'm hoping someone here might have some advice
>> for me and this bloaty betta.
>>
>> Thanks in advance
>
>
> Sorry to follow up, but I thought I should add that his scales are not
> protruding at all, so I've been assuming it's not dropsy.
>
> Renee

I'm sorry to say, but I would assume it's dropsy. Fish only go "pine
coned" when they are near death and should be euthanized at that point.
You're in luck that he's still eating. Try soaking his food in
Maracyn two (my first choice) or tetracycline (second) and see if he
gets better. If you find an antibiotic that seems to be working after 3
or 4 days, continue it for 10 days - just as your own doctor would do.
Otherwise, switch and try a different one.

--
__ Elaine T __
><__'> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><

[Tynk]

Hi there Renee.
Bettas will often eat themselves into that "swallowed a marble look".
When that happens they need to be fasted for a day and also given a
frozen, cooked, and then shelled pea. He may be backed up and
constipated.
However, you can't dismiss Dropsy condition, as they don't always have
to have that pine cone look.
You mentioned putting him on a "diet".
What foods are you feeding him, and the amount daily.
Have you fasted him?
Also, have you seen him do any poops?