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Slight constipation

1.3K views 31 replies 4 participants last post by  skysblue  
#1 ·
Just noticed fishstick's stomach looked unusual tonight, so i went ahead and did some research and found out it is constipation. :roll:
It is not very bad right now, he still swims fine.

I am thinking I should just starve him for a few days? I added like a teaspoon of AQ. I don't have Epsom(maybe i should if it doesnt clear up soon?).

Any suggestions?:roll:
 
#5 ·
Some people suggest skinned, cooked peas for constipation, but idk I've never tried that before. You could also feed him a little daphnia, as its a natural betta laxative. after he's better try varying his diet ie. meals of dried bloodworms a few times a week. It might help prevent future problems :)
 
#6 ·
Do not feed peas. Bettas are insectivores which means they cannot digest plant protein. Feeding them peas could harm his digestive tract. Also freeze dried bloodworms can lead to constipation and bloating. Only feed frozen bloodworms.
 
#8 ·
You should NOT wait that long to not feed you fish... the longest fast you should do is 5 days.

Can you take a photo? I would like to see the lump you are talking about...

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follow the instructions in the pop up
 
#9 ·
Oh no! :cry::cry: just came home and he is still at the same spot, unresponsive.

this was the picture about 2 weeks ago when i first noticed:

Image


But now viewing from the top is not as big
Image


yesterday morning he was still swimming but starting last night he gets weird and this morning til now hes been in this spot.
 
#10 · (Edited)
it looks like hes struggling to swim up. whenever he stops he just start stinking back down. T_T
and i just found out there is a white strip at the bottom and i just googled it said "If the stripes are horizontal this is a sign of stress"
but why :( is it because i added new plants in and starved him for almost 2 weeks??
 
#11 ·
Okay. that sounds and looks like an infection to the Swim Bladder.

I would treat him with either Seachem Kanaplex, API Triple Sulfa, API General Cure. Kanaplex would be your best bet at this point but if you can't find it then I would go with Triple Sulfa. General Cure is if you can't find the previous two.
 
#14 ·
SBD is caused by a million different things.

The most common is overfeed and constipation. This is why you fast for 5 days max and treat with Epsom Salt first

However, in other cases the bloating can be caused by a bacterial infection in the Swim Bladder. If after a few weeks of the Epsom Salt treatment you see no improvement then it is most likely an infection.

You don't want to use meds right away if the problem is just overfeeding.
 
#16 ·
Yes. that is why above I suggested that you start meds. Seachem Kanaplex is the first choice, API Triple Sulfa is the second, API General Cure is the third.

Kanaplex will only be at a local fish store - not a chain store.
Triple Sulfa and General Cure can be found at Petsmart
 
#18 ·
I can't know without a photo.

Dropsy is not a illness, it is a symptom of organ failure or organ failure due to bacteria infection.

if his scales are raising then you need Seachem kanaplex. The other medicines will be no use.
 
#20 ·
I see a tiny bit of pine coning. But it doesn't seem serious. I don't know, its good that you ordered it. If it stays the same then I think it will be okay. However, if he doesn't develop the full symptoms of dropsy, be aware that him recovering is very very very slim even with Kanaplex.
 
#26 ·
oh wow... then i guess the moment i saw the lump. it was actually an infection instead of overfed..and the sbd didn't show up til 2 days ago, and he just died suddenly...

But i wonder how can does betta get bacterial infection..i've had him for over two years, and the food i feed has been the same(pallets and dried blood worm), i do about 50% water change every week or two.

Does AQ help to kill bacteria? And if i were to introduce a new betta into the tank again, i should do 100% change before hand?
 
#27 ·
I don't know the size of your tank but bacterial infections come from bad water.

You said every week or two? A tank needs to be cleaned at least once a week but if your tank is smaller than 5 gallons then it needs to be cleaned twice a week or more.

No you can just do an 100% water change. You should empty your tank. Then clean everything with a solution of 95% hot water and 5% bleach or hot water and rubbing alcohol (90%). Then reset up your tank.
 
#29 ·
You might mess up your cycle a bit, but it is better to mess up your cycle making sure that the bacteria gone.

and where did you hear that??? It does not really matter - although I usually have plants in before bettas since bettas love cover and hate open water.