My boy, Bo, looks a little bloated. I ( until recently ) fed all 3 of my boys about 10- 12 HBH bites a day. I noticed Bo looking kinda bloated so I fasted him for a day, gave him part of a pea and he ate it. Fasted him for another day, gave another pea and he wouldn't touch it! He was very upset, btw, that Bruiser(right next door) was getting food!!! I should say, he doesn't have a huge bulge in his belly. But I don't want it to turn into that either! So I'm just wondering if I should start feeding him again, or go grab some frozen daphnia( I hear they work as a laxitive). I've since cut back all my guys to about 6-8 HBH bites a day. I also give them frozen bloodworms every other day or so for a treat, about 4 each. Thanks guys!

be very careful with bloating. dont take it too lightly. bloating might just be constipation but, if it isnt cured quick enough, it can cause an intestinal bacterial infection wich can become systemic. once systemic, dropsy becomes a very real possibility. i just witness it happen to my betta, willie.

other than pristine water, fasting and feeding daphnia and/or peas, you might try adding some epsom salt to his water. ill have to look for the correct amount but, maybe somebody else knows too.

paul

Hi Paul and Abbey's Mom,

I have a sick betta I just put a post up on. When you feed them the pea, do you take the skin off? Is it a raw pea?

Thank you,

Jeanne

Well, I got a bag of frozen peas. I microwaved a few, popped them out of the shell and that's I gave them to him. He only ate part of one of them, and my other 2 guys wouldn't touch them at all. ( I figured it might be good to try to get them all to eat some). Other than that, Bo is in a 1 gal tank with a silk plant and some river rocks that I bought. What do you think I should do? Wait it out of get some daphnia?

Hi Abbey's Mom -

I think I would knock off the blood worms for a few days. I had a Betta a few years ago that bloated every time I gave them too him.

Jeanne

Jeanne, I have. None of the boys have had them in about 4 days now. Just not quite sure what to think here. As I said, he just looks like he's got a full belly all the time. Not terribly bloated, just constantly full, even though he hasn't eaten pellets in about 3 days. And he's pretty ticked off about it too!
They are about a day over due for a water change, too. I've worked doubles all weekend, so I haven't had a chance. I'll take care of that tomorrow though.
Toothless, should I do the epsoms salts yet? If so how much, do you think in a 1 gallon tank? Or should I try the frozen daphnia first? I've read your posts, and I don't want to be in your shoes, hun!!

honestly, being that im pretty new to bettas, i dont know. i dont suppose it could hurt. the only concentration that i could find for its use was 1/8 teaspoon to 5 gallons. seems a little low though. for now, i wouldnt go any higher than 1/4 teaspoon per 5 gallons. definitely get the daphnia too. or, you could try a pea/tuna paste cnopped up and mashed together very well. you can try to get them to eat it by sticking a small morsel of it on the end of a toothpick and swirling it around to attract them to it.

other than that, your guess is as good as mine.

paul

Thanks for the help, guys.
I made up some of that pea and tuna paste, Bo looked at me like I was crazy. You know the look, "you don't really expect me to eat that?!" He did eat another piece of a plain pea, though. But I don't see any green poop, so I don't think that's a good sign. I haven't gotten the daphnia yet, I thought I'd try the tuna first.
Meanwhile, his belly is getting bigger. He's looking very round now. And I do notice him resting more often than he used to.
So, tomorrow I'll be going to get some frozen daphnia. And if that doesn't work... Any other suggestions?
Paul, I meant to tell you I was sorry to hear about Willie. I'm sure he knew you were doing everthing you could to try to help him.