Hi! New betta owner here. We’ve had this fish for a week and a half. Didn’t notice anything odd when we purchased him but when we transferred him to the tank we noticed he was floating at the top and appears to have some swelling near his tail. ChatGPT has been helping me troubleshoot, but we’re still having issues (see video for progress today). Not sure if he’s ill or if it’s just a pressure issue. I’m not feeding him every day, but when I do he eats eagerly. He will try to swim down and will lodge himself under a leaf, but can’t stay down unless he’s under something. He likes to hang out in the betta hammock and floating log. He responds to interaction, so he seems lively and not sickly to me, but I really don’t know what I’m doing. I also got two nerite snails that have not moved since we got them (he was feisty with them at first but eventually lost interest).
What I’ve done so far:
-tank cycled for 5 weeks and all water tests were optimal before we got the fish (tank is planted with live plants)
-tank temperature is staying right around 79 (heater is set to 82 but it’s cold in our house; trying to get it closer to 80 but doesn’t seem to want to warm up any more than that)
-have a very low flow filter, he actually hangs out near it (close to the heater) so I don’t think it’s a flow issue
-fed the second day but then fasted him for 48 hours, fed some daphnia, then fasted him again for 48-36 hours, repeat through today
-added aquarium salt around day 5
-did a small water change (20%) and added epsom salt this past Sunday
Appreciate any advice!
https://v.redd.it/ay39man0505g1
Posted by kal29103
3 Comments
Forgot to mention he’s in a 10 gallon tank
So, the salt could be the reason why your snails are not moving. Just like normal snails, water snails do not appreciate salt, so it would always be better to treat your Betta in an hospital tank (this too needs to be cycled by the way).
I’m not an expert in bettas (I’m new to their world too), but it sounds like maybe your fish is constipated? Cause if it was a bladder problem the fish wouldn’t be so eager to eat.
I would say to just fast him for 3 days and see what happens.
It does look like his swim bladder is swollen to me. I’m not super experienced with swim bladder issues but it sounds like you’re doing all the right things. However I would not treat with Epsom salt in his main tank and would treat in either a hospital tank or separate container. The fact he looks happy and healthy and has good appetite otherwise is a good sign though. Swim bladder issues can be stubborn and I wonder if the move and adjusting to a new tank could’ve caused it. Sometimes even when we do everything right, the stress of moving can still cause issues. I would just keep doing what you’re doing and monitor for other symptoms and hopefully it will improve within the next few weeks. Hopefully someone with more experience in treating swim bladder sees this too and can give more advice! 🙂