I was at Petsmart (I know, I know) the other day getting a betta for my new planted tank and saw this girl on her side/unable to swim well. I hadn’t planned on another, but I had to get her to try and help her. I’ve fed her very sparingly and only daphnia, however she’s growing so fast- I’m wondering if she has internal tumors that are affecting her swimming/buoyancy.
After I feed her the daphnia, she’s had a few giant poops, so maybe constipated if not tumors? But she’s so small and young to be so backed up??
I’ve also given a round of kanaplex to see and that seems to improve her situation, then she goes back to having trouble swimming.
Any thoughts? Thank you!
https://v.redd.it/q9lkd677puzf1
Posted by liss515
2 Comments
Got her 10/30/25
5 gal tank
silk plants
76 temp,
pH @
0 ammonia
0 nitrite
5 nitrate
Heater and filter
Severe Constipation can happen and it can absolutely affect the swimbladder wich causes buoyancy issues, as well as intestinal swelling or inflammation (sometimes caused by bacterial infections that can occur through bad environments or prolonged constipation) as side effects.
I wouldn’t jump to ‘tumor’ as a conclusion just yet, they can get constipated like that pretty easily if the conditions they’re in are not good – like low temperature and just a tad bit too much food.
If her swimming improved at all even just a tad over the time you had her, she’s probably able to recover.
Since she improved with kanaplex and you have her at the lower end of their ideal temperature range, maybe raise to 78°F and give her another round.
Betta as fish are coldblooded wich means their metabolism speeds up/slows down with temperature, wich can be used to help them fight off infections and with digestion by raising it slightly – their immune system speeds up as well as the speed at wich they digest.