Help new fish swim bladder?!?!!?

[Karebear13]

So I just bought my sister a new fish. He all of sudden looks very bloated it doesnt look like its dropsy. Im thinking its Swim bladder because he keeps floating on his side here is a picture to help. I have Epsom salt and I was gonna add that to the tank. But will this affect him if it is not swim bladder.

[iElBeau]

If he's swimming sideways, it's probably swim bladder. I would suggest fasting him for a few days... You said he's new, so he actually might not eat the first few days anyways. So don't feed him for two days, and see how that works. Watch his tank for signs of defecation - it may be easier if you remove any substrate for the time being. If he's constipated, you'll be able to tell pretty fast, and that would be a good cause for the bloating and SBD.

If there's no improvement after two or three days, take a frozen pea (from a bag of frozen peas you would buy at the grocery store) and thaw it, then remove the skin, and feed him no more than a quarter of the inside of the pea. This does not provide nutrients, as he cannot absorb anything from the pea, it is simply like eating a block of fibre. Fibre will help to strengthen his digestive system by creating resistance (in the same way you would work out with weights to strengthen your arms), and pass what has him constipated. I personally suggest about an eighth of the inside of the pea... Definitely no more than a quarter though. A good judge, is about the size of his eye. Please DO NOT use a "cooked" pea or a fresh/unfrozen pea! The frozen pea, from a bag from the grocery store, has been blanched in the processing of it (otherwise it would not even be safe for you to eat). Since blanching can easily be done incorrectly, it is safest to make sure it is from the store, where the peas have to be blanched properly in order to guarantee food safety.

I hope this helps you out a bit! But fast him first, and let us know if he gets better, I hope he does! <3

[Silverfang]

Looking at that picture, I'd say he's malnourished, he looks quite thin to me. Crown tails are notorious for looking "bloated" after eating, it is just the shape of their body.

Since you said he is listing to the side and having trouble staying in a proper position, I'd start him on 1tsp/gal of epsom salt (make sure it's unscented and undyed). Most people on this site will suggest avoiding the pea method, and recommend trying frozen daphnia or brine shrimp. The safest option for feeding him would be smaller meals spread out through the day.

[Karebear13]

Okay so we added the salt in last night. He was sooooo bloated. He pooped a huge poop and he looked a lot better. He was still having hard time swimming. He hasnt eaten since yesterday morning (monday) Some websites said to fast for 2-3 days when they have SBD. Should we not feed him. We are going to continue adding the salt for ten days... that is what I read somewhere. He does look better now that he is in his new tank with clean water

[callistra]

Go ahead and not feed him a couple days along with the epsoms, but he does look so emaciated.. I think he looks more emaciated than bloated. When they get that thin their stomach looks more pronounced.

Is he still having problems swimming?

What did his poop look like? Hopefully just malnourished but maybe internal parasites with being that thin.

[Karebear13]

His stomach was huge we was on his side he was so bloated. We just got him, But Im worried since he does look malnourished I dont want him to die if we don't feed him. It seems like he is swimming better but he stands in one corner most of the day.
It was big and brown. It looked pretty normal other than it just being huge.

[callistra]

Well that's good. You'd do fine to fast him a couple days along with the epsoms. Sounds like he was probably just constipated. If you keep him warm this will help as well high quality pellets like Omega One or NLS. I would avoid Hikari, especially since he seems prone to constipation already.

Let us know if his behavior improves. Keeping him in warm clean water will do wonders.

[Karebear13]

Yes right now he is in a tank with a heater temperature is 79 degrees. We got him Sunday. I fed him some of the Aqueon pellets that my friend let me borrow, but my other betta eats the Omega One I just didnt have them on hand with me, but that is what he will eat after a few days of fasting :)

[Karebear13]

How many days should I add the Epsom salt? I was going to do 100% water changes daily along with one teaspoon of Epsom salt for ten days?

[callistra]

10 days should be good. Up to 2 weeks is safe. If he doesn't look a lot better after 5 days or so or he seems to be getting worse instead of better it may be time for meds, but I wouldn't assume he needed them at this point.