We have a male betta fish that is very bloated and we are concerned that it could be dropsy. We started noticing it

can you post a pic so I can see his condition?

Thank you for the great pics.

The symptom you describe is definetely an indication that the fish is suffering from problems with it's swim bladder, an advanced case. The name of the disorder is called Swim Bladder Disease.

The swim bladder is an organ that fish have that when functioning properly enables them to swim up and down at will. It also enables the fish to maintain it's buoyancy.

When the swim bladder becomes blocked, infected or too full of air it ceases to do it's job thus the fish's inability to swim or swim properly. Many fish, because of their odd shape are highly suceptible to swim bladder problems

If the fish is being fed dry flake food then this could definitely cause a problem as dry food tends to expand in a fish's stomach thereby causing problems for some fish and as many species of fish tend to gulp their food this would even add to their susceptibility to swim bladder problems.

The recommended treatment plan is to fast the fish for 2-3 days and then begin to feed the fish canned peas or parboiled frozen peas without the husk

The pea diet should be fed in between 2 days of fasting the fish. So in essence feed the pea diet for 2 days then fast the fish for 2 days etc etc. Do this routine for 2 weeks.

It also helps to lower the water level if possible between 25-50% as this puts less water pressure on the fish thereby making it a little easier to swim.

The symptom you describe is definetely an indication that the fish is suffering from problems with it's swim bladder, an advanced case. The name of the disorder is called Swim Bladder Disease.

The swim bladder is an organ that fish have that when functioning properly enables them to swim up and down at will. It also enables the fish to maintain it's buoyancy.

When the swim bladder becomes blocked, infected or too full of air it ceases to do it's job thus the fish's inability to swim or swim properly. Many fish, because of their odd shape are highly suceptible to swim bladder problems

If the fish is being fed dry flake food then this could definitely cause a problem as dry food tends to expand in a fish's stomach thereby causing problems for some fish and as many species of fish tend to gulp their food this would even add to their susceptability to swim bladder problems.

The recommended treatment plan is to fast the fish for 2-3 days and then begin to feed the fish canned peas or parboiled frozen peas without the husk as you have been doing. Usually it's best to crush the peas before feeding and feed 1-2 peas a day depending on the size of the fish. The pea diet should be fed in between 2 days of fasting the fish. So in essence feed the pea diet for 2 days then fast the fish for 2 days etc etc. Do this routine for 2 weeks.

It also helps to lower the water level if possible between 25-50% as this puts less water pressure on the fish thereby making it a little easier to swim.

In addition to the pea diet it would be a good idea to treat the fish with an anti-bacterial medicine such as Maracyn 2 as the pea diet alone will sometimes not be enough as you have seen.

The excess intake of air is a primary cause of swim bladder problems which is why it's also better to soak flake food prior to feeding as mentioned earlier many fish tend to gulp their food when eating.

So try the fast, the pea diet and Maracyn 2 but keep in mind that sbd can be a stubborn and sometimes impossible ailment to cure.

It's truly one of the pestering problems that fish keepers encounter all too frequently.

I have listed below a link which will give you a view of Maracyn 2.

Good luck and please let me know if you have any questions.

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore?ref=dfs

So try the fast, the pea d

days of fasting the fish. So in essence feed the pea diet for 2 days then fast the fish for 2 days etc etc. Do this routine for 2 weeks.

It also helps to lower the water level if possible between 25-50% as this puts less water pressure on the fish thereby maintain buoyancy

.

Terri

my pleasure

get daphnia, it will definitely help

lets wait on the salt bath

my pleasure

yes, because a temp below 70 is harmful to bettas

use daphnia