Hi, Lime. Sorry you're having problems with your Betta. The swelling in your Betta could be bloat, from constipation. It could also be dropsy, which is not a disease in and of itself, but is a result of some other illness or environmental factor.
If it's bloat, or constipation, it is fairly easy to fix this. If it's dropsy it's more complicated. Bloat tends to present as swelling of the abdomen but not a general all over edema.
Dropsy presents as a general all over swelling or edema of the body, so much so that the scales begin to stand away from the body. Sometimes just a lilttle, almost barely noticable at first, and then sometimes dramatically, so that the fish looks like a pinecone.
Dropsy is really the accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the body due to the shutting down or outright failure of internal organs due to either poor water quailty, which is poisoning, essentially, or some kind of disease, or illness, usually a bacterial infection.
The organ failure causes fluid to accumulate and causes the fish's body to swell. It can be the kidneys, liver or heart, or all three that are damaged and shutting down.
If it's constipation there are some things you can do to help this. Fast for a few days and then get some frozen english peas. Nuke a few in the microwave in some tank water. You want to squish the insides out and throw away the skin or peel. The pea should be sort of mushy. Feed this to the Betta. If he is not eating you can smear some fresh garlic or garlic juice on it, as this is very appetizing for fish.
But first, we need to try to figure out which this is.
If you can describe his appearance a bit for us, or provide pictures that would help us make a good recommendation. If we have reason to believe it is dropsy not constipation then you will need to go ahead and start to treat with antibiotics as soon as possible.
First off you need to keep his water absolutely perfect. If you need to do daily water changes to keep his water pristine then that's what you have to do. No ammonia, no nitrites. Use a good conditioner such as Prime, which removes chlorine and chloramine, but also detoxifies ammonia and nitrites.
Test his water with a liquid test kit, not strips. Strips are inaccurated and give false readings. You absolutely must know what the tank parameters are, especially ammonia and nitrites. He needs pristine water to help get over whatever this is.
Maracyn and Maracyn II treat gram negative and gram positive bacteria and are very good. I would rush out and get those two to start treatment as soon as possible if it appears that this is dropsy and not just constipation.
Once you get those meds you need to do a water change first, and then dose according to the packaging. Twenty-four hours after that, do another big water change and dose the tank. Keep this up for ten days. Usually you will see some small improvement by 48 hours, maybe just a little more swimming or eating... he may just look like he feels a little better.
You have to continue with the meds and pristine water. It would be helpful to know what the cause of this is. If it's constipation that can be helped easily, but if it's dropsy then the outlook can be much more serious.
Can you take some pictures to post for us so we can determine what this might be?
Also, please tell us more about your tank. Answers to these questions will be helpful.
How long has the tank been set up?
What kind of filtration?
Is it heated, and what temp have you been keeping it?
What is your normal water change schedule? How often and how much removed and replaced.
What kind of conditioner do you use to remove chlorine and chloramines?
What are you current parameters? What where they before the last water change?
Do you see any obvious changes in the appearance of your Betta, such as a filminess, or fuzziness.
Any areas that are red, blotchy or streaky.
Anything that looks cottony? Tattered or fraying fins?
Feeding schedule: type of food and frequency?
Answers to these can be very helpful, as would some pictures of your Betta.
I hope we can help him, but fast action is needed. If there is an infection we need to stop it as fast as possible to prevent severe organ damage, if it has not already occurred.
