beta bladder problems

Question
Would the green pea diet help a Beta that has had this problem for months? We diagnosed that it was a swim bladder problem and have him in more shallow water. He generally rests on the bottom and eats well. The tank is not heated.
Any other suggestions, all of the information we found implied this is irreversible.
Thanks,
Marci

Answer
Dear Marci,
Make sure your betta gets a well-balanced diet and make sure you aren't giving him too much dry foods. Dry pellets are a huge cause of continous swim bladder problems. I've never really heard of this as being irreversible. If he is getting dry pellets make sure to pre-soak his food well before feeding until it swells all the way with water. I've had excellent luck giving my bettas flake food instead or pellet foods. Variety is very important and supplementing your betta's diet with frozen and freeze dried live foods such as Brine shrimp, worms of all kinds, mosquito larvae, or daphnia.

Make sure his water is warm. Cold water just makes bettas very sick. It would be best to try to get him into a heated aquarium of 2-10 gallons. There are special heaters called "Mini heaters" at DrsFosterandsmith.com that are for smaller aquariums of 2 gallons and a bit larger.

Above all, try to take the very best care you can of your betta. I really hope he gets better.

Best wishes,
Karen~