HELP - betta bloated and floating

[psionicfish]

I came home today to see my betta very bloated and floating. When I left for school this morning at 7am, everything was fine. I havent fed him since nor changed anything since I woke up. I do weekly (at most) changes of water in his bowl and feed him about 4 betta bits / 3 small freeze dried worms a day. I've owned him for about 5 months now, in a 5.5 gallon till a month ago when the filter started eating his fins and I had to move.

He usually has a huge bubble nest for me when I get home, but today there isnt one.

Does anyone know how I can relieve his bloating or what it is? Deadly, or can I wait it out? Should I feed him?

He tries to swim down, but instantly he floats up. (my avatar is how he normally looks, minus tons of camera flash)

Pictures:

 

[psionicfish]

this seems like it:
swollen bloated body with protruding scales, clamped fins, lethargic, loss of appetite Dropsy (bacterial infection of the kidneys) Fresh, clean water is essential. Note: This is a very deadly disease with only a small percentage of fish that survive. :sad::sad:If you notice your Betta swelling up and not eating, even if the scales are not protruding, treat it immediately.

 

[reignman40]

Sounds like you hit the nail on the head there from your research. Unfortunately chances sound like he won't survive.

I would recommend water changes at least twice a week if there is no filtration in the bowl. Doubt that caused this issue though. Your feeding looks right on. Looks like good amounts to me, not overfeeding.

 

[psionicfish]

Well, I just 100% water changed him and added a little epsom salts. I guess all I can do now is wait it out, as every website I go to has the same information about treatment:

TREATMENT: No known cure. :sad:

 

[PumaWard]

I know this is OT... But, instead of moving him from a nice tank into a bowl, why not just remove the filter or get a spong filter instead? It's overall better living conditions for the fish.


I have tried to treat dropsy and only succeeded in prolonging my fish's suffering. IMVHO, once they start bloating from dropsy, it's time to let them go. You can use clove oil or place him in a small cup in the freezer to humanely euthanize him.

 

[psionicfish]

I know this is OT... But, instead of moving him from a nice tank into a bowl, why not just remove the filter or get a spong filter instead? It's overall better living conditions for the fish.


I have tried to treat dropsy and only succeeded in prolonging my fish's suffering. IMVHO, once they start bloating from dropsy, it's time to let them go. You can use clove oil or place him in a small cup in the freezer to humanely euthanize him.

I had a real weak hang on back filter and I didnt know it would cause any damage to the fins, but it did. He is just in the bowl temporarily till his fins get better and I get done with moving. I did have plans to put him back in his tank with a sponge filter though.

I seem to caught his infection early, so i'm being optimistic about it, although I pretty much know the outcome of it. I may give it a few days and then consider euthanization.

 

[Holly9937]

If hes hanging in there I might give it a couple of days, but it does seem like dropsy is pretty hard to cure, Its hard to see the protruding scales in the pics. He has that right?

 

[PumaWard]

Once the fish bloats and the scales protrude, it's too late. In most cases permanent damage has already been done to the internal organs. You have to catch it before the fish bloat to have a decent chance at a successful treatment.

I had a paradise fish that I put through treatment. I can't imagine it's a pleasant way to pass.

Ultimately, it is your fish and I understand that glimmer of hope completely, but I think it's important that you know that dropsy causes suffering in fish.

 

[mykidsmylife]

If his scales dont have that "pine cone" look it may be a swim bladder problem. My son's betta was doing something similar earlier this week. He just looked bloated in his abdomen area and couldn't really swim right and would lay at the top of the water floating on his side (looked alot like your pictures). I didn't feed him for several days, then I fed him blanched shelled peas...now he is just fine. I think his problem was when I did his water change earlier that day I poured the clean water in too fast and caused some problems with the swim bladder and it may have been aggrivated by some constipation.
Good luck to your little guy!

 

[psionicfish]

If hes hanging in there I might give it a couple of days, but it does seem like dropsy is pretty hard to cure, Its hard to see the protruding scales in the pics. He has that right?

No, no protruding scales yet, so I am hoping it is something else or that he's giving it a good fight. He still is real active... what a fighter :sad:.