6 replies to this topic

[Porkchop the hamster]

Hello! so yesterday i got a new male betta (i named him Norbert after the dragon in harry potter ahahah) but i noticed he cant really swim at all, he just sits at the top of the tank and kinda flops on his side, it seems like he cant really move. he seems a little bloated and cant really swim down at all, he just floats. i tried to feed him a little but he wasnt interested, so i think he has swim bladder. i dont have much experience with this, he's my 3rd betta and none of the previous ones have had swim bladder. from what ive gathered from google, it could have been caused by over feeding (i have no idea if this is it because he hasnt eaten since ive gotten him but i have no idea how much he was being fed at the pet store), constipation or swallowing too much air. one thing i've noticed is he's like eating bubbles from the top of the tank and sort of spitting them out through his gills? i dont really know, he's been doing that a lot. so i'm thinking about trying to feed him peas because google said that could work, but i'd definitely like some advice from anyone else. he's in a 5 gallon heated and filtered tank, no live plants at the moment, and i also added some API aquarium salt because my betta that was previously in this tank sadly died of fin rot, i cleaned everything with vinegar but i thought i could add some salt as a general preventative just to be safe. i may try asking some fish forums, but ive currently never used any so i thought i'd try the fish section of HH first. so does anyone have any advice on what i could do to cure this?? thanks!

[ajuniceuhamsters]

Swim bladder is the sack of air they hold in their stomachs to keep them floating and swimming properly. As far as I know, it isn't a disease but rather an organ filled with gas that can misfunction.

 

Seems like your betta doesn't have a working gas bladder. Since bettas tend to enjoy eating them anyways, try feeding him some green peas. About 1 pea a day should be okay. Continue to feed him protien sources though. It's either caused by parasites or constipation that's induced by overly high nitrate levels from potential over feeding. If you got him from a pet store it could be either. If after a week his condition doesn't improve I'd try to seek out a vet that treats fish. These can be impossibly hard to find though, so be on the lookout.

 

I don't know about if vinegar is necessarily good to clean the tanks. I've always used mild dish soap and water with no problem, but if it works for you, then alright.

 

Here's fishlore: https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/

[Porkchop the hamster]

Swim bladder is the sack of air they hold in their stomachs to keep them floating and swimming properly. As far as I know, it isn't a disease but rather an organ filled with gas that can misfunction.

 

Seems like your betta doesn't have a working gas bladder. Since bettas tend to enjoy eating them anyways, try feeding him some green peas. About 1 pea a day should be okay. Continue to feed him protien sources though. It's either caused by parasites or constipation that's induced by overly high nitrate levels from potential over feeding. If you got him from a pet store it could be either. If after a week his condition doesn't improve I'd try to seek out a vet that treats fish. These can be impossibly hard to find though, so be on the lookout.

 

I don't know about if vinegar is necessarily good to clean the tanks. I've always used mild dish soap and water with no problem, but if it works for you, then alright.

 

Here's fishlore: https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/

Thank you, i'll try that! and i always heard that soap was very toxic to fish so its better to use vinegar and water instead, but idk. but thank you!!

[Robin~]

Please don’t feed peas to bettas; it’s a “wives tale”-like method that’s often ineffective.

OP, is your tank cycled?

Edited by Robin~, 04 April 2021 - 06:38 AM.

[Porkchop the hamster]

Please don’t feed peas to bettas; it’s a “wives tale”-like method that’s often ineffective.

OP, is your tank cycled?

oh really? what would you recommend i do otherwise?

unfortunately the tank only cycled for a few days, i was going to do it for longer but i just fell in love with this betta and had to take him home, i know i know, very irresponsible, sorryyy :/  

any other advice on what to do if i shouldn't give him peas??

[ajuniceuhamsters]

Please don’t feed peas to bettas; it’s a “wives tale”-like method that’s often ineffective.

OP, is your tank cycled?

You sure?

 

It's worked for many of my past fish. 

 

Interestinggggggggg

[Robin~]

You sure?

It's worked for many of my past fish.

Interestinggggggggg

It’s also not exactly natural for a carnivorous fish to be eating peas. Feel free to do what you want, but I (and many others in the betta-keeping community) have decided against using peas and instead opt for natural diuretics like daphnia, potentially supplementing it with epsom salt soaks if the bloat is really bad. All I wanted to do was point that out.

OP: Sounds like it could be an issue with the water quality if the tank isn’t cycled. I would start doing daily water changes. Are you adding any chemicals to the tank (Prime, Stability, etc)? What are the tank’s parameters?

Edited by Robin~, 04 April 2021 - 08:15 PM.