Betta big tummy

Question
My female Betta Fish had looked okay when I bought her about 3 and 1/2 months ago. We had also bought another female but she died in the 2nd month. We kept them in a 50 gallon tank. Over time I noticed my female Betta's stomach get bigger and it is growing. What should I do? Does she have a Disease? I am getting worried.
Anna

Answer
Hi Anna,
She may have Swim Bladder Disease.  This disease is caused by poor diet, and overfeeding which causes constipation, then SBD.  Try feeding her a cooked frozen pea with the outer layer removed.  Cut the pea into tiny pieces, and feed them to her one piece at a time making sure she eats it, and that it does not fall to the bottom of the tank.  She should have one pea a week so that she can clean out her system.  Feed her nothing else for a day.  If she does not waste, you will have to treat her with an antibiotic.  "Tetracycline" would be my choice.  If you let this linger on, it will lead to Dropsy.  Dropsy is very difficult to cure, if not impossible.  When her tummy has gone down, and she has wasted, vary her diet.  She should have Betta Pellets, Betta Flakes, Daphnia, Plankton flakes, Brine Shrimp, Bloodworms, Glassworms, and Mealworms.  In these foods she will find all the vitamins she needs.  Feed her 2-3 times a day in small amounts.  Example:  2 pellets or 2 flakes for one meal.  Her tummy is the size of her eye, so we must always be careful not to overfeed her.
I hope this helps, and that she will recover quickly.
Lynda