Betta Fish Sick, Bloating...is it Dying?

Question
Chris,
We have had a betta fish for about 4 months and keep it in a 1 gallon aquarium. I change Prince's water about 1-2 times a week with bottled spring water (room temperature-we live in Florida and I keep the house about 80 degrees). Prince was very energetic and responsive. About 3 weeks ago, he started just lying around, especially at the bottom of the tank.  He would eat well (about 2-3 pellets a day) but very lethargic.  He would swim to the top, get some air, and then fall (and I mean fall) back down to the bottom.  I took him back to the store and they couldn't see anything wrong with him...he looked healthy. They gave me some Betta Water and said to try that...maybe he wasn't getting enough oxygen.  Did that, and he looked a little better, moved a little more, but then became lethargic again.  This morning he is bloated and laying at the bottom.  Won't come up to eat. Any help would be appreciated. At least, if he's dying, I need to prepare 2 little girls who love him a lot.  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Barbara;

Poor Prince.....he may just be constipated so there are a couple of things you can try.

Cook a few green peas and feed little chunks of it to him. Also add a small pinch of epsom salts to his tank. Just regular epsom salts from the drug store is the one to use. These have a laxative effect and may help him clear out his intestines.

It is also possible that he has in internal infection. This will cause bloating and may affect his swim bladder so he can't float up in the water normally. There are special antibiotics you can try that may treat it. "Maracyn 2" by Mardel and "Kanacyn" by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals actually get inside the fish. They go in his water and he absorbs them through his skin and gills. Other antibiotics only treat the outside of the fish.

Whatever the cause of his trouble, keep the water level down low so he doesn't have to struggle so hard to get air from the top. It will help him conserve energy. Bettas don't need aeration in the form of bubbles or filter. They have a special organ called a labyrinth that they store air in and use. Extra air doesn't hurt unless it keeps him from resting. You are doing a great job caring for him. He may have something serious, but I'm hoping it is just digestive trouble.

Followups welcome

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins

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