It can be confusing to watch your Betta go from being energetic and healthy to becoming sluggish and unenthusiastic.
My experience has shown that there are many reasons your Betta fish may have a bloated stomach and appear lethargic. You don’t need to panic. A swollen stomach doesn’t always indicate a poor aquarium fish.
Bloated stomach can sometimes be a sign of harmless constipation and not the deadly Dropsy or annoying Swim Bladder Disorder.
This article will discuss the main causes for bloat in Betta fish.
Understanding the workings of fish bodies can help you avoid severe illness.
It might seem overwhelming to look at Betta’s swelling abdomen.
Sometimes, the condition can be accompanied with breathing difficulties and difficulty swimming.
A Betta fish can get bloated for many reasons.
Overfeeding with nutrient dense foods or lack of fiber can cause a Betta fish to have a bloated stomach. Bloating in fish can also be caused by poor water quality, bacterial infections, and internal parasites.
These factors can cause an increase in the size of the abdomen of fishes and a bulging belly.
There are many possible complications, including severe constipation and Swim Bladder Disorder or Dropsy.
A Betta’s female Betta may have a swollen stomach, which could indicate that she is egg bound.
As long as the conditions are correctly and promptly diagnosed, they can all be treated.
Let me go over each one.
1. Not eating foods high in nutrients and that break down too quickly
A bloated betta fish can happen due to eating too many nutrients that then disintegrate too fast. These foods can cause a negative reaction that slows down the stomach’s emptying.
This body reaction prevents the Betta fish’s intestines from becoming overloaded with nutrients.
This response can be triggered for a long time, resulting in food retention and severe constipation.
Sometimes, the stomach can become so swollen that it appears white from the outside.
This study was one of the causes that I found when I first started researching belly bloat in fish.
It was a great study that opened my eyes to the types of food I was feeding my Betta.
Can you name the foods that are too nutritionally dense and digest too fast?
You’re probably following if you answered “pellets”.
Pellets are essentially compressed flakes, which are still fast dissolving.
The pellets are easy to digest and contain a high level of protein.
Betta fish are also susceptible to bloating (same genetically as Goldfish), and both effects seem to quickly stack up.
Enterogastric control is the mechanism that slows down stomach emptying.
The food stays in the fish’s stomach for a longer time after it activates.
The mechanism of decreased water absorption would occur if the fish is fed with high-nutrient foods for a long time.
This may seem to be a way to prevent bloating. But, not in this particular sequence of events.
My research revealed that decreased water absorption causes the fish’s gills to extract more salt from the environment and then pump it back into their bodies. The increased water retention causes excessive swelling in the abdomen and throughout the body cavity. This is known as Dropsy.
According to the scientists, such fish should be fasted and their nutrient intake decreased.
You will likely have to remove all pellets and flakes from the diet of a Betta fish.
Bloodworms, daphnia and occasionally Mysis are some of the foods that closely resemble what Bettas would eat in nature.
These foods contain some of the necessary insect fiber to aid digestion and are not high in fat like flakes or pellets.
These latter are also highly processed, so the protein source may be something not found in the natural diet of fish.
When nothing else works, I will recommend a feeding program that has worked well for me and my fish.
The following can be used to treat bloating due to nutrient overdose in Betta fish:
Day 1: Fasten the fish
Day 2: Speed the fish
Day 3: Give the Betta a few bloodworms once.
Day 4: Fasting
Day 5: Give the Betta a little bit of Daphnia once a day.
Day 6: Fasting
Day 7: Once a day, feed a small amount Daphnia and Bloodworm to your pet.
You should only give the fish a volume that is equal to its eye socket. Only feed the fish once a day on feeding days.
Continue this process until you feel no more bloating.
You can increase the chances of Bettas surviving this treatment by maintaining pristine water quality. This will help reduce stress and improve their chances of success.
Do not perform large water changes. These can be stressful for the fish and could even cause it to die. You should instead perform smaller, less frequent (no more that 10 to 15%), water changes.
API’s Stress Coat Plus could be a great tool to reduce stress in fish.
This and other freeze-dried live foods can be found at large online pet shops such as Chewy. These are just a few of the links you will find useful:
Freeze-dried Bloodworms.
Daphnia + Mysis Shrimp & Bloodworms
Mysis shrimp can be frozen-dried.
API Stress Coat Plus.
2. Infections of the kidneys by bacteria
An infection with bacteria could be what causes a bloated and lethargic Betta. Fish may become more sensitive to harmful bacteria, which can cause damage to their kidneys and make it difficult for them regulate their bodily fluids. This can cause the fish’s body to absorb too many water, leading to swelling.
In my many years of helping friends keep their fish-keeping ventures, I have seen many sick Betta fish.
My experience has shown that a hidden bacterial infection can cause a Betta’s mysteriously bloated abdomen.
It is possible for a bacterial infection to become an abscess.
An abscess, just like a cancerous tumor can occur anywhere on the body. The abscess can appear on the Betta’s stomach and make the fish appear bloated.
An abscess will usually have a white spot at the center of the lump. This is how you can identify it. You can fill it with fluid or make it completely white.
A second sign of this infection is a fish that swims with its fins very close the body.
An abscess may cause damage to the Betta’s internal organs, which can lead to disorders such as Swim Bladder.
However, it is important to keep in mind that bacterial infections in Betta fish often result from poor water conditions or stress.
These should be taken care after the infection is cured.
Aquarium fish must be treated immediately for any type of bacterial infection.
The whole cycle of events will continue if nothing is done. Betta’s immune system and fish’s vulnerability to future diseases and infections will be impaired.
You can treat a bacterial infection by placing your Betta fish in an aquarium. Then, you will need to administer antibiotics.
You should ensure that there are plenty of hiding places in your tank. Sick fish will require their own space to rest.
Regular water changes are a must to prevent ammonia buildup.
I have found that amoxicillin is an effective treatment for bacterial infections that can cause bloating in Bettas.
This is how I treat Betta fish. The bloat usually disappears within a few days.
Use only 100% pure Amoxicillin trihydrate.
Fish Aid Antibiotics provide this. These links contain the 100% Amoxicillin trihydrate products I have chosen.
For best practices, it is a good idea to consult a veterinarian.
3. A diet poor on fiber
Betta fish can become constipated if they eat a low-fiber diet. This could eventually lead to bloating. Constipation bloat symptoms in Betta fish include a swollen stomach that almost looks white, no or little defecating, and trouble swimming straight.
You should feed a Betta that is constipated quality food with high fiber. Then, fast the fish for a few days.
Daphnia is a water flea that can be purchased in fish shops. It is well-known for its beneficial fiber and laxative effects on fish. Betta fish suffering from constipation can also benefit from bloodworms.
A blanched, deshelled potato is another option. Feed the fish 1/4 of the peas and then skip feeding for the next day.
Daphnia and Bloodworms are my preferred food for Betta fish, as they provide a natural source to fiber. Peas come from a land-based plant.
You can easily treat constipation with fish. If that is the cause of the swollen belly in your Betta, it should disappear in a few days.
You can keep the fish alive for as long as you like.
There are many fiber-rich foods available, and most likely you can use one of them to feed your Betta.
Dropsy is often referred to as incurable. If caught early, treatment with Epsom salts and antibiotics might be possible.
The Epsom salt will reduce swelling, and antibiotics will treat the infection.
Dropsy in Betta fish indicates damaged kidneys, liver, or both.
The kidneys in fish are responsible for passing water through their urinary tract.
However, when they’re not working properly, the fish will retain a lot of fluids and then the body will swell, often starting with a large abdomen.
Researching fluid retention in fish was my first experience with it. I discovered that most often, the condition was caused by some type “gram-positive,” bacteria in the kidneys.
Gram-positive refers to a class of bacteria species that is based on the structure of their cells.
This is why I use an antibiotic that specifically targets gram-positive bacteria to treat my condition.
According to this University of Florida summary, erythromycin or amoxicillin are good options for this purpose.
Mardel Maracyn is a product that contains Erythromycin.
However, amoxicillin is more effective than erythromycin in this situation.
Chewy and other large online stores for pet supplies have amoxicillin.
Let’s get to the actual treatment.
One tank will be used to treat antibiotics, and one tank for Epsom salt baths.
Although amoxicillin will not harm Gram-Negative nitrifying bacteria found in your main aquarium, it can disrupt the ecological balance created by Gram-Positive bacteria.
To avoid disturbing the Betta fish during relocations, ensure that the water in the tanks has similar parameters.
Follow the instructions on both the Epsom salts and antibiotic packages.
Use 1 tablespoon Epsom per gallon of water to make salt baths. Let the fish swim for 20-30 minutes in the salt mixture.
Be aware that Epsom salt can be relieved for fish but it cannot guarantee that it will reduce bloating.
The medicine will have the real effect. You should see the swelling disappear in a few days.
How to avoid a bloated stomach in a Betta
It is important to care for your Betta fish and keep it from getting bloated.
It is important to feed your fish high-quality food.
Reduce the amount of pellets and flakes and replace them with fresh, frozen or dried live food.
Fasting your fish should be done at least once per week.
To maintain a high quality aquarium environment, you should perform regular water changes.
Do not forget to check the levels of ammonia or nitrate, as these can quickly cause stress in fish.
Stress can, and will, increase your chances of getting sick.
Either do regular water chemistry tests using a liquid-based testing kit, or you can set up an Ammonia Alert indicator to monitor the aquarium’s NH3 levels.
Avoid putting sharp objects in the tank. This can cause injuries, stress and other health problems.
The same applies to tank mates. Betta fish can be aggressive and require some privacy.
It is important that you choose the fish with whom you share your aquarium.
However, allow your Betta to move around and exercise its muscles.
Many people opt for 2 to 2.5-gallon aquariums for their Betta pet, but this is not enough space to live a happy life.
I would advise that a Betta be kept in a tank holding no less than 5 gallons water.
Last words
Bloating Betta fish is not uncommon.
Although a swelling belly can look unsettling, it is usually harmless.
If the benign conditions are not ruled out, you may need to treat an underlying bacterial infection.