Betta with a large belly

[eaglebay]

Hi everyone,
I stumbled upon this thread while searching about betta belly issues.
I know it's an old thread, but I'm hoping someone might have some new info to share.
My betta has a huge belly, it's like a balloon, but no scales issues.
I'm worried he'll exlodge, and it's not just constipation - he's got a poop tail every day.
I'm thinking it might be dropsy, but is there a treatment or am I just waiting for the worst?
Is there a reliable medicine for this, or should I try salt baths - will they just stress him out more?

Check out this link for proper salt bath info - it's got answers to all your questions. http://www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/20 ... baths.html. It's worth a read if you're unsure about the process.

[almond]

Your betta looks stunning. He's definitely a male, I can tell. The balloon-like appearance is quite unique, I've never seen anything like it before.

[windrunner]

Thanks for the replies guys.
So, I'll make sure to avoid using table salt. I'm not sure if pet stores carry pure Sodium Chloride, or if I should try a pharmacy instead.
Also, @almond, yeah it's a male betta.

[goldminer]

To treat bloating or dropsy in your betta, you'll need plain Epsom salt - not table salt. Here's what you need to know:

Epsom salt is actually magnesium sulfate, which is often used by humans to reduce swelling or as a laxative. You can easily find it in first aid aisles or even at gas stations. Just make sure to get the unscented and undyed kind.

When used correctly, Epsom salt can help your betta by acting as a laxative and reducing swelling. This can be especially helpful for fish with swim bladder disorder or dropsy.

So, how do you use it? For every gallon of water, you'll need 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt - that's 3 teaspoons. Your betta should only stay in this mixture for 10-15 minutes, with 10 minutes being for less severe cases and 15 minutes for more severe ones. Never leave them in for longer than that.

Before putting your betta back in its tank, you'll need to acclimate it for 2-5 minutes to avoid shocking it.

To prepare the Epsom salt bath, you'll need:

- A clean 1-gallon container just for fish
- A smaller container
- Water conditioner
- A measuring spoon
- A thermometer
- A net
- A watch or timer
- Epsom salt

Here's what you do:

Fill the 1-gallon container with clean, treated water that's the same temperature as the water in your betta's tank. Add the Epsom salt and stir until it's fully dissolved.

Next, fill a second container with 1/4 salted water and 3/4 tank water - this is your "reviving station".

Carefully move your betta to the salt bath and watch it closely. If it passes out or becomes extremely stressed, remove it immediately and put it in the reviving station to recover. If it's not too stressed, just keep an eye on it during the recommended time and make sure it doesn't jump out.

Once the time is up, move your betta to the reviving station to adjust to normal water parameters. Then, put it back in its tank to recover.

[eaglebay]

Hi everyone,
I stumbled upon this thread while searching about betta belly issues.
I know it's an old thread, but I'm hoping someone might have some new info to share.
My betta has a huge belly, it's like a balloon, but no scales issues.
I'm worried he'll exlodge, and it's not just constipation - he's got a poop tail every day.
I'm thinking it might be dropsy, but is there a treatment or am I just waiting for the worst?
Is there a reliable medicine for this, or should I try salt baths - will they just stress him out more?

For sodium chloride, you can try using Kosher salt or pickling salt - these are available in most grocery stores and are pure sodium chloride. The thing to keep in mind is avoiding anti-caking agents or iodine, which is why Kosher salt and pickling salt are good options. They're essentially the same, but the grain size is different - Kosher salt has very large grains, while pickling salt has very small grains. This might affect the amount you need to use - you might need a bit more Kosher salt by volume, or a bit less pickling salt by volume, compared to the recommended 1/4 teaspoon per quart.