Empsont salt*

[brettwashere]

Evening update, he was swimming around a bit when I got home from work. Fins are up, but not spread very wide. He's going up for air more often and not so sideways. I put in some water from a heated tank to dilute it a little and see how he reacts. Think I should give him 100% fresh water, just for a break from the saltiness? Or continue treatment? Also I have not offered food today. I do have hakari baby pellet, betta flakes, and hakari first bites. Might just have to see what he wants.

[brettwashere]

* new behavior* he's more active, but every now and then he will go sideways and flip out. Almost like a seizure. It only lasts a couple of seconds, then he is fine. I take it this is bad?

[iceyrose]

I've had neacco in empom salt baths for the last few days...@ 1 teaspoon per gallon...no poop yet first day 6hours in mix in floaty cup...today for a few hours still no poops...maby time to up the amount? What if instead of baths after upping thw empsom amount I just soak his pellets in the mix ?

[iceyrose]

He's only whent #2 once in the last week n a half...

[Sena Hansler]

up the amounts. Not sure what the safe epsom amount is, but I've used 3 teaspoons per gallon, and put them in a gallon container.

also, for the other poster's question, the spazzing out is different... but, most fish with clamped (or missing) fins tend to have a hard time manuevering, and that could be it - him over exagerating moving.

[brettwashere]

Well he didn't make it through the night. I have another fish from the same store and I'm watching hime closely. He seems ok. Thanks for all the help. This site is great

[Sena Hansler]

awww sorry to hear! some fish, just come to us sick :( but hey, you tried and I think you did pretty good.

[mergan25]

I have been looking for epsom salts that are safe to use for fishy, as suggested by oldfishlady. Where do you find them? The only kind I saw at the pharmacy were scented, and I didn't see any at petco. Also, how do you know if a Betta is constipated?

[Twilight Storm]

If you have a bare bottom tank it will be the easiest to see if your fish is constipated.
The easiest telltale signs will be: (In my personal experience at least!)

There will be no fish waste in the bottom of the tank. (no fish poop)
The fish will begin to have a rounded belly which often turns white-ish.

Here is a link from Nippyfish on constipation:
http://nippyfish.net/sick-betta/bloa...-constipation/

Here is a link to walgreens epsom salts
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/wal...934776-product

If you look at the ingredients you will see:

Active Ingredients
Magnesium Sulfate USP (Heptahydrate) - 100 %Saline Laxative

Sorry to hear you lost your fish Brettwashere. :(

[mergan25]

Good to know, thank you.

And I'm sorry your fishy didn't make it Brettwashere, he was lucky to have such a caring keeper.