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Yesterday I noticed my betta acting a little different... He rests at the bottom of his bowl all day which he doesn't usually do, and when he does want to go to the surface for air/food, his movements seem frantic and erratic. Like he has to try extra hard to get to the surface.
I did a bit of research and learned that this could be due to a problem with his swim bladder (regulates their bouyancy) or even could be constipation.
Anyone ever experience this with a betta? How did you treat yours, and did its health/behavior improve?
In all my years in the hobby, this is the first I've ever heard of a fish being constipated.
It would not be a surprise to me to think maybe a parasite; when kept in a small bowl, they are basically living in their excrement and urine, until the water is changed, even if the water is clear. Check with a reputable LFS, not your Petco's, Wal-Marts, or Petsmart stores.
Usually swim bladder imbalances will see the fish swimming on the side, but not otherwise labored. Had a severum that did that for over a year until it finally got corrected. If there is labored breathing, the fish is probably sick and might be on its way out. I will say that goldfish are prone to them because they need a lot of fiber, and often the flake food does not have enough, or if they are given standard tropical fish food, it doesn't either. Switching to the pellets helps with this. Not sure about what ot do for the betta if it is indeed a swim bladder, but like I said, it might just be that his time is up, unfortunately.
It could be a number of things, bettas in a bowl are more prone to disease. The water is dirtier, and there is less air and filtration. What are you feeding him? That's also important, bettas are "meat eaters" and need more of a meat-based diet than standard fish flakes will provide. A lot of bettas won't eat pellets, but most love freeze-dried bloodworms, earthworm flakes, brine shrimp flakes etc. Try to provide a more varied diet.
My Betta (Lester), got better just a few days later! Thanks for all of your help and suggestions!
Sorry I did not give an update sooner, life itself has been keeping me from CD.
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Hmmm...
