Swollen bellies?
Betta’s turning white?
Your betta may be constipated!
What is Betta Constipation?
Constipation is actually quite common in fish. A possible cause of fish constipation can be due to lack of variety in their diet or due to over feeding. The fish’s stomach swells up becuase it is unable to get rid of its waste, causing a build up. Buoyancy (similar to swim bladder disorder) may sometimes occur. This is where the fish is unable to swim properly and floats at the surface. Don’t worry, fish constipation is usually not life threatening to the fish. However, if it continues with little evidence of improvement, and left untreated, other more severe problems can occur.
My Betta has Constipation! How Do I Treat It?
Fast your betta for about 2-4 days allowing the fish’s stomach purge itself. If the swelling does not go down after a couple of days, give it a few more days to purge. At this point, don’t panic about not feeding your betta. Although never recommended under normal circumstances, betta fish can survivie up to a month without food. Your next step after the fasting period is to feed your betta peas. That’s right, i said it – peas. This will help clean out your bettas system while feeding her at the same time. Remove a green pea from its outer shell, cook it, and mash it up, and feed it to your betta.
Hope this info was helpful! As always, feel free to comment on this post! I always love hearing from fellow betta lovers!
Christie | 16-Apr-07 at 8:31 am | Permalink
A little Daphnia can be helpful too. It acts as a mild laxitive. Also, soaking foods that have a low moisture content, like pellets, for 10 minutes allowing them to expand with water will reduce future outbreaks of constipation. (Swelling before the fish eats it rather than in the gut.)
Tho | 16-Apr-07 at 10:26 am | Permalink
Great Tip Christie! Thanks for sharing it!
And of course everyone, you can check out Christie’s blog at
nippyfish.blogspot.com.
Anonymous | 03-May-07 at 9:25 am | Permalink
My fish is actually recovering from constipation right now. And you know what? I tried the fasting for two days and nothing. I gave him a green pea, and nothing. I was desperate so I actually went to Petsmart yesterday and spoke to the manager in the fish department. She suggested a 1/2 tsp of Epsom salt in his one gallon tank. One hour later…HUGE POOPIE!! This morning, more poopies and he is almost normal again! Yay!!
Tho | 03-May-07 at 11:06 am | Permalink
Hahaha… that’s great news! Always glad to hear about a sick betta getting better!
Petsmart’s suggestion is correct if the fasting and pea suggestion don’t look to be working (as you’ve clearly seen proof of). Adding Epsom Salt to your betta’s water is something you can do as an addition to treatment as it may help reduce the internal pressure caused by the swelling. Only recommended if the fasting/peas doesn’t work. This is because Epsom salt is made up of Magnesium Sulfate. Not something you want too much of in your water and something you have to be careful with when adding.
I should also mention, epsom salt is NOT regular salt! Regular salt will cause your betta to absorb more water. When you’ve got a bloated fish, you want them to excrete, not absorb. That’s what the Epsom salt will do for you.
Thanks again for posting! And all the best to you and a quick recovery to your betta!
Anonymous | 24-Aug-07 at 2:43 pm | Permalink
I have never heard of this before. Is it common in betta fish. Is it common in all fish? I would never have put epsom salts in my fish tank. Is this a accepted practice? Thanks
Anonymous | 08-Sep-07 at 8:58 am | Permalink
My red betta male named Samurai is in a 1 and 1/2 gallon fish bowl. I perform a complete water change once a week. After the water change he gets swollen floating sideways. Then I fed him thawed pea and added some Epson salt to the bowl and he got fine. This happens every time I change the water. What am I doing wrong. I treat the water with Betta Splendens complete water conditioner
Mona | 16-Oct-07 at 1:12 pm | Permalink
This morning I found a thin white film on the top of the water in my betta’s fish bowl. I change his water once a week and take away food and debris when I feed him twice a day. Could this film be coming from him or is something contaminated in the water? I moved him to a “hospital” container with clean water. After doing some research I’ve concluded that I’m overfeeding and I’m going to raise the temp of his water, but I have never read any mention anywhere about the film on top of the water. I’m praying that I come home to a live fish tonight, that he forgives me, and responds to my treatment of the temp and constipation. Can someone advise me about the filmy water, please? Thanks in advance!
TL | 16-Oct-07 at 1:52 pm | Permalink
The film you’re seeing at the surface of the water may be due to organic matter decay. Make sure you scrub the tank clean when changing the water. Making sure to rinse all rocks/plants etc as best you can.
You may also be right in your assumption of overfeeding as well if you’re leaving the left over(uneaten) food in the water to decay.
Feed your betta its daily recommended amount depending on the type of food you’re feeding it. Wait and watch. If she doesn’t finish it remove the uneaten food from the tank.
I know you mentioned you removed them. However, be careful what you use to remove them and try to remove all of it if possible. Most people are careful when feeding their Betta but are in a rush to get the food out not being aware of what they use. Make sure your finger/net (or whatever you use to remove the food/debris) is clean. Remember soap is good for your hands but not for your bettas water! wash your hands, but rinse the soap off too!
Hope that helps! Goodluck and all the best to you and your Betta! Keep us posted! We’ve love to get an update on how your Betta does. And what worked best for you.
mona | 24-Oct-07 at 10:14 am | Permalink
Hi tl,
My betta seems a bit better since I didn’t feed him for a couple of days. I tried feeding him a cooked and pealed pea for constipation, but he didn’t eat it, not suprisingly. I now have been able to feed him a variety of foods, whereas before I was only able to feed him blood worms.
But I still find the film sometimes on top and he hasn’t pooed in a long time. On the plus side he’s back to his regular swimming activity and he’s back to making bubble nests.
I keep the bowl and everything that goes into the water very clean (rinsed with hot water – no soap). His water is also within the recommended temp range, is tested for acidity, and is treated for chlorine. The white film stuff is new to me. Do bettas vomit or pee? Could it be a sign of gill disease?
He does have some whiteness under his face still after I treated him for fungus and bacteria a few weeks back. I followed the instructions very carefully.
Thanks again for your help.
mona | 25-Oct-07 at 12:38 pm | Permalink
My betta ate a pea last night!!! I didn’t feed him for a day and 1/2 and I was about to go to bed again without feeding him, but I just couldn’t. So I fed him a cooked and pealed pea and he ate it with relish. Then I fed him his favorite – blood worms and exchanged some of his water for new clean water.
This morning I fed him dried shrimp (which he ate again heartliy) and tonight I will give him more clean water as I saw that it still was a bit cloudy.
I haven’t seen the whiteish skin/film on the top of his water in a few days, but he still has whiteness on the underside of his face. He’s been through so much that I’m reluctant to give him medicine again so soon. Am I putting him at risk in not medicating him?
Whew! This has been alot of wrangling once things took a turn for the worse! I’m due to have a baby in two months and I want to get him well before I have too much to handle.
Thanks for any help or advice in advance.
Karynda | 06-Dec-07 at 11:56 pm | Permalink
Oh man, my Betta is SEVERLY constipated. I’m an experienced Betta keeper too. The less I fed him, the larger his belly got. I’ve always fasted them (Red’s the one in trouble, Zen’s ok) on Sunday with pea.
Well Red got a hemorroid. Not kidding. Took him to the oldest fish store here in Tampa and someone who knows and works alot with fish pushed the hemorroid back in…we had no idea what it was….tumor, insides coming out, nematodes…we went through all the research.
I fed him more pea today (he hasn’t eaten going on 8 days, nothing but peas and was every other day or so)…too much pea!! I messed up. He’s huge. I must use the epsom salt I know. Don’t dare leave him in it overnight alone though.
Any other ideas/suggestions when a hemorroid is part of the package? Yeah, I think it came back out. Just brought him home from the overnight at the fish hospital today and caught a quick glimpse…they said they can push it back in but my god…again and so soon? He’s been through soo much.
He means more to me than I can express. We have such a special bond.
Tried the daphnia. Too lil. Just gets all over his tank (currently in a 2 gal glass tank while sick but has a 10 gal, as does Zen). Yep, it’s heated and airated and spotless.
Ever hear of bettas getting hemorroids?? The guy who pushed it in said he had and said he learned how to push it back in by being a nurse but…how do you translate doing that to a human compared to a betta?
Seeing different amounts of epsom salt to use too. 1 teas. per gal. 1 Tablespoon per gal. Some leave it overnight. Some leave the betta in it for 15 to 30 mins.
This has been going on for MONTHS…4 easy. I know it’s close. He’s in serious need of help. I don’t have a regular vet. Wonder if I could find one but couldn’t afford it if I could so…
Any ideas would be so appreciated.
Karynda
TL | 07-Dec-07 at 7:28 am | Permalink
Hi Karynda,
It sounds like you’ve been doing everything you can. Unfortunately, just as in life we can’t always cure everything. However, don’t give up yet! If Reds still alive there’s always some hope!
You mentioned you didn’t have a vet. And from experience, and something I completely disagree with, is that a lot of vets don’t really care for fish. Don’t let this hold you from calling them though. Some vets will take the time to help out wherever and whenever they can. AND most vets are great for information. Even if you dont plan to or have the finances to join a vet, give them a call anyways. Ask them if they tend to fish. If they have ever encountered your situation and if they could give you any solutions/remedies to help you out. A lot of vets are great and will take the time to answer all your questions over the phone. Why? Because they really do care about the animal.
I also recommend doing the same with pet shops and fish shops. Fish shops have a greater chance of seeing fishes in all levels of life and illnesses.
Fortunately, for me, (although i’m sorry I can’t help out more because of it) I’ve never experienced a betta with a hemorrhoid.
I hope I was if only some help to you.
I wish you all the best. And Please keep us updated on your progress! We’d love to hear what about what you decide to do and even better hear about Reds miraculous recovery over the holiday season!
Karynda | 07-Dec-07 at 8:44 am | Permalink
You are so kind to respond and so quickly too! Normally I wouldn’t post asking for help where I haven’t contributed or even introduced myself.
Desperation and netiquette aren’t good friends I hear, grin.
I agree with your vet comments. Those who care about animals, care about them, period, and will do whatever they can to help. I’ll go through the yellow pages and start the calls.
Aquarists are so numerous here in Tampa and Florida. Just as the LFS’s and LPS’s with fish are.
A vet taking up practice here to help our underwater friends would find it quite a lucrative business, to be sure.
It was a LFS not a LPS that helped Red. I’m sure you know the rants and complaints about the LPS’s “knowledge” of fishes so am backing slowly away from the soapbox.
The LFS I took him too? A GREAT place. They have a website too. It’s just been put up so not much there yet but I’m sure that will change. I’ll get the url and share it.
They offer vet-like hospital services for fish and you wouldn’t believe the prices. $10 for a month! kinda thing and these people know their fish.
Then there’s the largest variety of fish available for sale there than anywhere else I’ve found. It’s called Fish World, Waters Ave., Tampa.
Maybe that’s something else I can do for Bettas, seeded by your comments. I could get the word out that fish vets are needed. Fish World are awesome but aren’t actually vets nor have access to the meds a vet would I don’t think.
Well I have some GREAT news. Today I celebrate poo. Soo funny that we do, when we do, but we know why we do.
I added 1 teas. epsom salt to his 2 gal. right after making that post this morning. I left it in there for 1 1/2hrs then changed 50% of his water, turned the air up a bit and set my alarm for 8am.
Guess what my early xmas present was? A huge movement next to a little one. Woohooo.
Except…
I sat to sip coffee. Looked again in less than 5 mins and the large present was gone! He ate his poo (Indian giver!).
He’s soo hungry, poor lil guy. I just figured/hoped it was only pea that he was re-eating. Next time I’ll be johnny-on-the-spot and he won’t have a chance to re-consume. See it, get it, immediately.
Progress!! I’ll take it. I will continue sitting on my hands and absolutely, positively, no exceptions, will not feed him until his stomach is back to normal size or very close.
It’s soo hard when they wiggle and dance and perform for just one lil bite, heh.
I’m relaxed enough today to start researching a different diet for Zen and Red now too. No more pellets. I soak them in their tank water until they sink in the lil cup but that’s not good enough anymore, especially for Red.
I give them variety too…live brine shrimp (they love chasing them), frozen krill, beefheart, daphnia, mosquito larvae, bloodworm etc, all in pieces the size of one of their eyes and only 3 or 4 of them, so they’ve always had that but that’s a treat and too rich to eat all the time.
Live-frozen food brings its tag alongs (parasites, bacteria) but aquarisol is a good companion to frozen live. Live food is great and will be growing my own brine shrimp eventually but, again, not a good everyday food.
I’m on the hunt for a better daily food than pellets now or at the least, the very best pellets. I think this is a good place to start http://www .atisonbetta. com/who.asp
Have you heard of this guy? Oh, I hope it’s ok to post urls here. If not, please accept my apology and feel free to delete. I put spaces in the url so it would go through so delete the spaces if it’s ok to have posted it.
Well, I could go on and on, and have so…
I just found this blog last night and am going to familiarize myself with this wonderful space and people.
I’ll certainly keep you updated!
And yes, you helped. It started with even just responding…big smile.
Thank you kindly.
Namaste
(((TL))) (((Everyone)))
Karynda | 09-Dec-07 at 8:31 am | Permalink
I’ve also posted here http://www.petfish.net/forum/index.php/topic,65485.0.html if anyone would like to follow what’s going on with Red.
I posted there too more information that might help someone here help me help Red.
Tho….you seem to know alot about Epsom Salt. I’ve posted at that url asking alot of questions about that if you’d like to answer them…here or there. I’ll be checking both places.
(((Everyone)))
TL | 10-Dec-07 at 7:11 am | Permalink
Sounds like Red is slowly but surely getting better. That’s great to hear!
As for me I’m sorry to say that I will be MIA (missing in action) for a little while. Ironic that on the day I was expected to get my flu shot I came down with the flu before I got the chance to get the shot! So right now i’m feeling pretty miserable.
Those close by have demanded I stay in bed, but I had to come on to at least let you guys know why you wont be hearing from me much in the next while.
Ok, I better end it here. They’re yelling at me to get back into bed.
Feel free to continue the betta conversations and helping each other out! It’s all about the betta fish!
All the best,
Karynda | 11-Dec-07 at 7:25 pm | Permalink
Get well soon!
I’m not doing well myself. Red isn’t out of the woods either. Soo much going on with me and in my life right now. Seems there’s another that is MIA for awhile.
Any energy I have, I give to Red and he needs more.
I’m getting help with Red at petfish so no worries Dear One. Just get well soon.
(((Everyone)))
nics-ashes | 14-Dec-07 at 3:16 pm | Permalink
I currently have my Betta in a tiny little bowl while I am trying to treat him for constipation. How much epsom salt would I put in there? I know it’s a 1/2 tsp per gallon, but this isn’t even a half gallon. I tried fasting and feeding him a thawed pea but his tummy is still huge!
Anonymous | 02-Mar-08 at 8:45 pm | Permalink
Hello,
I’m so careful with my betta I never overfeed him, I clean the tank on the right way plus everything inside I talk to him every morning and I found too the white film on the top of the water. He don’t look sick, he’s swimming like always and eat like always. Don’t you think maybe he needs a female?
And another thing I think maybe he’s jealous, because he started to built that after I have to take care my friend puppy for like a week. Do they do that? I mean get jealous?
TL | 03-Mar-08 at 7:40 am | Permalink
hi,
I hope no scientists,psychologists, or philosophers vent at me for saying this, but I don’t believe betta fish have the cognitive abilities to ‘feel jealous’. Now that being said, that does not mean that some event or behavior that your betta experienced during those weeks with the puppy may not have stressed it out. Animals, including fish are very prone to stress. If things aren’t as they like it they quickly become stressed. Water temperature, or as in Betta Fish, introducing another male betta into the same environment as another, are examples that may cause your betta to stress out.
It sounds as though your betta fish is still doing well. Just keep loving him, feeding him, and keeping his tank clean. Just keep in mind that any changes to his environment should be introduced slowly. For example, when cleaning his tank make sure you remove him into a temporary cup in some of his old water. Clean the tank and when you add the new clean water back into the tank make sure the temperature is close to the old waters temperature. This way, when you put him back in he wont experience a shock to the sudden change in temperature.
Hope that helps! All the best to you and your betta! It sounds like you’re doing a great job!
Mir | 03-Mar-08 at 2:11 pm | Permalink
I have a betta that I thought had dropsy, I treated him for that but it didn’t go away. So I think he is constipated. I have given him peas and epsom salt and nothing has happened. He’s still bloated, can someone help?
TL | 04-Mar-08 at 8:10 am | Permalink
It’s sounds like you’re doing everything right. Try reducing your feeding for the next few weeks. Stick around when you feed him. Watch him eat and remove any remaining food. Try to feed him less per feeding then you usually would and only a couple times per week and see if the constipation reduces.
– A side note to everyone. Make sure that whatever comes in contact with the water (this can be your fingers, toothpicks, food, etc)is clean. Sometimes our hands are dirty (say after eating) and then we dip our hands into the betta tank to scoop something out, we may actually be introducing something into the tank that the betta does not like.
All the best!
khalid | 15-Apr-08 at 3:30 am | Permalink
hi everybody, first thx so much for this useful site!
i have had a betta pair for 3 weeks now and the male just keeps aggressively nippint at the female; i separated them then introduced her again twice, in vain!!! even now that he can see her in a bowl next to the aquarium still some aggressive behaviour and no interest in mating!! what should i do ? thx much in advance.
Anonymous | 17-Apr-08 at 12:31 pm | Permalink
I had my fish for almost two days now and i brought him a bowl and added some flat bedded rocks to is then I added him but everytime I come close to the bowl he hide underneath of this little hole in the rocks that he has made…..He seems almost as if he’s stressed out and doesn’t like me…I feel so bad because i want him to be comfortable around me and have fun in his bowl…..Can anyone tell me what to do in order for my fish not to be so stressed or afraid….???
TL | 18-Apr-08 at 5:12 am | Permalink
First thing I recommend is to get him into a bigger bowl with plants or some sort of structures where he can hide. In addition to giving him more space to swim around, this will also make him more comfortable if he has a place to hide when he’s in ‘flight’ mode. Do this and be patient and I’m sure he’ll come around soon enough.
Anonymous | 18-Apr-08 at 5:15 am | Permalink
If you’re not trying to breed your betta you should separate them. If you are trying to breed them I suggest getting “Taking the Mystery Out of Betta Breeding” ebook. I haven’t tried breeding any Betta’s yet, but I did buy the ebook. It’s actually sold through the owner of this blog? Anyhow, it’s that book image in the left menu on this blog.
Anonymous | 21-Apr-08 at 9:30 am | Permalink
Okay I’ll do that…because he does hide behind his rocks a lot of the time….Thank You