I have a male betta who about 1-1/2 months ago started developing what looks like two round balloons under his skin just underneath his gill area. Besides looking like he's packing nuts for the winter, the rest of his body is normal size. When looking at him from above, its apparent that one side of his body is slightly more protruded than the other side. It took about 3 weeks to get to the size he is now, and it doesnt appear to be getting any worse. If it was dropsy, I think he'd be dead by now -his scales, color and appitite are good and he swims fine. I've changed his water (he lives alone in a 1 gallon vase) and changed his food thinking it was bloating, but it hasnt helped. I dont want to stress him by treating him with meds unneccesarily. Does anyone have suggestions on what this can be and how to treat this? Perhaps he needs some Gas-ex?

Its most likely just constipation. Were you feeding him dry pellets? HOw many did you feed him at a time? Bettas seem very prone to getting this. I have one who gets it a lot so I have to make sure to really vary his diet, and give him a lot of frozen food (his favorite is bloodworms). It sounds like your poor fish is very blocked up so you'll want to stop feeding him altogether for about 3 days. See if this helps. After that try feeding him a small piece of a thawed frozen pea. That should help him to get moving again. From now on try to soak any pellets you give him first and give him lots of variety in his diet.

Thank you jsrtist! I've been feeding him the Betta biogold pellets - about 5 in the morning and maybe a few at night. I stopped feeding him for about 2 days and started him on some other pellets, but there has been no change. I'll stop feeding him for 3 days and try the thawed frozen pea next and some frozen blood worms. I'll keep you informed :-) Thank you very much - the poor guy must be in excruciating pain.

poor guy yah he dose sound constipated try adding some salt to the water it will help elimanate stress.

Ok guys, I put some salt in the bowl Saturday and didnt feed him Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Then Sunday I gave him a fresh-out-of-the-pod pea (mashed up of course). I also gave him a pea this morning. How long should I continue feeding him a pea? When should I see improvements? Poor little guy. He sure was happy when I finally fed him after 3 days!

Well, the little guy died Friday Thanks for all your suggestions, though! Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!

Oh, Im so sorry to hear that he didnt make it!! How sad. It may have been a different problem then, like organ failure. Maybe he was just old. Either way Im sorry to hear that we werent able to help him.