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Betta Fish: Is my betta pineconing or just bloated? First photo is from a week ago, the rest are from the last two days.

Hi everyone. I’m really worried about my betta and would really appreciate some honest opinions.

The first photo is from about a week ago, and the rest of the photos are from the past two days. You can see how much his body has changed.

Over the past few days he’s gotten really bloated and very lethargic. He mostly stays in one spot and isn’t swimming around much like he normally does. His appetite has also gone down.

What’s worrying me the most is that his scales look like they might be sticking out, but I honestly can’t tell if I’m overthinking it or if this is actually pineconing/dropsy starting. From some angles they look raised, and from others they don’t.

For context:

• 3 gallon tank with heater and filter

• Was feeding 2–3 pellets a day (cheap wheat pellets)

• He hasn’t pooped recently that I’ve noticed

• Very bloated and lethargic

We actually have a 10-gallon tank ready to upgrade him to, but I’m nervous about moving him right now while he’s like this and potentially stressing him out more.

I’m attaching the photos for reference. Do you think this looks like pineconing/dropsy, severe bloating/constipation, or something else?

I’m open to honest answers ! I just want to know what I should do to help him.

Thank you.

https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1rutanf

Posted by diamondsleigh

6 Comments

  1. ScentedOkapi on

    You could try kanaplex for dropsy or some cooked mashed peas, but with how bad he looks i would put him down. Putting him down isnt your only option tho. Kanaplex is good if he has dropsy. Peas are good for severe constipation. If you feed the peas make sure they are cooked and the skin is taken off but only give a little to him. You could also try a salt soak. Please read what others have to say as I am not a professional whatsoever and im just telling you what I know. I hope he gets better.

  2. Least_Release_177 on

    That is severe pineconing.

    1-2 teaspoons plain EPSOM salt per gallon of water. You should be able to put it directly into the 3 gallon tank. As he will be staying in the salt water.

    Kanaplex until you know more and can tell if he needs to be treated for something else.

    100% water changes daily with fresh dosing of epsom salt. I gently scoop mine up into a plastic container. No netting if avoidable.

    Botanicals like almond leaves in his water. These don’t need changed every day.

    Fast him for 1-2 days.

    Again, this is a severe case, and his odds of survival are probably low. Even if you caught it early, the survival rate is only around 20%. You could also consider euthanasia. ETA: not with clove oil, as previously suggested.

  3. -wtfdude- on

    Bloating in betta fish typically appears around the front portion below the head where the stomach is, and should go down as soon as food is processed. Honestly, this does look and sound like he is in the throws of dropsy (in my opinion).

    I would immediately set up a quarantine tank, if you can, and start treatment for dropsy and other internal bacterial infections. If you can’t, lower your water levels so its not so far to go to the surface. It can’t hurt either to give him daily salt baths in a small, separate tub.

    Also look into getting some different food if you haven’t already, maybe even just feed him very small amounts of frozen bloodworms or brineshrimp until he gets better if you can buy some, its easier to digest. Consider feeding every other day whilst trying to get him sorted?

    I hope he gets better 🙁

  5. RadiantPreparation33 on

    Oh damn yes the betta is pineconning I’ll send u a link read it all it has saved many bettas follow the directions exactly

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