2 weeks ago, i tried adding 10 neon tetras on my planted betta tank. First 2 days, they were living peacefully but then i started noticing some of the neon tetras missing and i just thought that they were hiding and didnt think about it too much. After a week since i added the tetras, I saw my betta eating a neon tetra and thats when i decided to transfer all the tetras to a separate tank. I cant find the other 3 neon tetras no matter how much i look. I even transferred 70% of the water just so i could catch the 6 tetras that I can see but i really cant find them and there are no bodies as well. From 10 neon tetras there at just 6 now.
Its been 6 days since i transfered the 6 remaining tetras. He’s been bloated ever since and i fasted him since then but i accidentally fed him a very small amount of blood worm.
Already did a salt bath 3 days ago. Its day 6 now and i think he is still bloated. No signs of dropsy. He also swims naturally as well.
What should I do?
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1rp9dip
Posted by Dry_Detective_3506
7 Comments
Leave him be… if he’s acting normal and pooping he’s just bloated because he over ate… no big deal. Continue to fast and watch for weight loss.
I’m not an expert, but a few days of fasting after an “incident” is all I’ve ever done. Get back on a normal, healthy cycle. I wouldn’t withhold food completely for too much longer because he doesn’t seem sick and that could have negative consequences. He should have metabolized all the tetras by now. Could be some physiological changes ti his body as a result of eating larger prey or food, but keep monitoring and perhaps feed less than normal for another week or so.
Fish eat other fish, don’t beat yourself up over it. It sucks when its on your watch, but it’s a natural process. Just learn from your experiences and try not to make the same mistakes twice!
If there’s no signs of distress and he’s still behaving normally I’d just keep fasting him. They can go quite awhile without food and he’s not exactly been without you know? Just keep an eye on him. I’m so sorry he turned out murderous. They can be difficult to predict!
He should be alright for a 10 day fast. Bettas will eat things almost as large as themselves, but their stomach is around the size of their eye, so it can take a loooong time to digest. Nothing to worry about yet!
Now, if he’s pineconing, breathing rapidly, refusing to swim, struggling to balance, or if he has really stringy looking white poop, there may be a bigger problem at hand. Otherwise, just slow digestion.
Fast him 10 days, monitor his bowel movements as much as you’re able to. Biggest green flag you’re looking for is a large, dark poop. If he’s still bloated after 10 days, a bit of daphnia may act as a natural laxative. Small portion then fast another 2-3 days.
If after 14 days he’s seeming to not improve or he has any of the other symptoms then it’s unfortunately very likely he has a blockage. Not much you can do for that, unfortunately.
that little demon
I have no good advice for you but I just wanted to say your betta is beautiful 😍😍
He’s beautiful