My Betta fish, Victoria (Tori) hasn't been the same since my idiot neighbor took care of her when I had to leave town for a family emergency. (Normally, I use an exceptional pet sitter, but he was the only one available last-minute.) I know he didn't follow the detailed pet instructions my fiance and I provided because of how I found our birds' seed bowls – they were supposed to get 1/4 cup seed mix daily with some added nuts and 1-2 treats, but they had at least a FULL CUP of seed mix topped with a WEEK'S worth of treats. 🤬🤬🤬 I'm assuming he overfed Tori as well. I think she's constipated or has swim bladder disease, but I'm not sure. She's not displaying typical symptoms of either because her bloating is much lower. No signs of dropsy or open sores. She does have an "egg spot," but she has had that present for the whole 1.5 years we've had her. Could she be egg-bound??? All the information I've found online is inconsistent. I've talked to people at specialty aquatic stores and I still don't have a clear answer.
I've tried several rounds of fasting (7 days was the longest stretch). On regular feeding days she gets 2 pellets a day (high-quality protein pellets). I've tried giving her a tiny piece of cooked, peeled pea. I've tried daphnia. I've tried 3 different rounds of general antibiotics (API E.M. erythromycin). I did one aquarium salt bath. I tried 3 Epsom salt baths (2 days in a row, skipped a day in case it was too harsh on her system, then did one more). I've added aquarium salt when I do water changes, though we had our water tested, and that wasn't the issue.
The past 5 days, she's been fasting and in a smaller tank so I can monitor her pooping. She has pooped every other day, the tiniest little amount – about the size of one of her eyes.
I adore my little girl and I am heartbroken to see her like this. I don't know what else to do because I can't get consistent, reliable information. I would appreciate any guidance or advice, especially an accurate diagnosis (as much as possible). I attached the best pictures I could get. I drew in blue ink to show where bloating usually is, which she doesn't have. Instead, she has swollen patches on both sides, lower down. Please, please help if you can. 😞🙏
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1ep0g8p
Posted by shanabanana224
1 Comment
Is your betta typically this drab color? I think it may be graphite disease. It affects blue bettas specifically… unfortunately, as a genetic disease, there isnt really much you can do other than comfort care. I dont know much else about it, nor whether it causes bloating, but that might be a start for you.