Who Gives A Fish Forums

My betta has been floating sideways and struggling to swim properly. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 nitrate. Tank is 5 gallons, heated to 78F, filtered with a sponge filter. Been feeding pellets twice a day. Any ideas what's going on?

Sounds like classic swim bladder issues, fam. First, try fasting for a couple days. Then feed daphnia or a pea to help with digestion. Also, check if the pellets are sinking too fast, might be gulping air.

Yo, my dude had the same prob last month. I cut back feeding to once a day and added a tiny bit of aquarium salt. Worked like a charm, but ymmv. Also, make sure the flow isn't too strong, bettas hate that.

I agree with fasting. It's helped my fish before. Maybe try lowering the water level a bit too, so they don't have to swim as much while recovering.

What kind of pellets are you feeding? Some brands expand in water and can cause bloating. Soaking them before feeding might help.

bytea wrote: ↑Thu Aug 21, 2025 3:34 am Yo, my dude had the same prob last month. I cut back feeding to once a day and added a tiny bit of aquarium salt. Worked like a charm, but ymmv. Also, make sure the flow isn't too strong, bettas hate that.

How much salt did you use? I've heard mixed things about dosing.

Swim bladder disorder can be caused by overfeeding or poor diet. Fast for 2-3 days, then feed high-fiber foods like daphnia. Ensure water quality is pristine, and avoid overfeeding in the future. A shallow tank can help during recovery.

Yeah, fasting is key. Also, check if the fish is constipated. If so, a pea can help, but make sure it's deshelled and mushed up. Bettas are carnivores, so don't overdo the veggies.

I've had success with epsom salt baths for swim bladder issues. 1 tsp per gallon for 15 minutes, max. But only if fasting doesn't work. Also, keep the tank warm and calm.

My betta had this once. I just stopped feeding for a few days and it sorted itself out. Sometimes they just eat too much, lol.