Constipation or something else?

[sammiesam]

Hey guys,
Alright so I'm not sure what to do with my Wentworth (one of the bettas) I've had him for almost a year now, I actually got hm around this time last year. And Ever since I've had him he's always had a very large tummy area, abdomen area. But it just seems like its gotten bigger. And it does this alot, he looks super bloated sometimes and other times not as bloated. I've tried peas, brine shrimp, all of which I give him on a regular basis along with blood worms and omega one betta pellets or sanyu gold pellets.
When I came back from a trip home this weekend his tummy looked alot bigger than usual. So I fed him peas, which he only ate a tiny tiny tiny bit of cause he doesn't really like them. It's actually quite the process to get him to eat them.
But yeah, any ideas? It's not like this is out of nowhere, he always looks like this, which is why I haven;t been all the worried but I just don't know what's wrong with him
Also might I add that his poop is usually rather wide and like chunky versus long and stringy which would be consistent with constipation, plus he doesn't poop much at all compared to my other fish and other betta.
Any other ideas, what about adding a bit of epsom salts to the tank? or a bath with epsom salts?

[bikeguy33]

i would narrow it down to 1 of 2 things. first off....it does sound alot like constipation....but that is normally temporary. second could be kidney failure. they will often bloat pretty badly....but then they usually have a tough time eating. I hope someone can add to this cause I hope I am wrong about the failure thing. btw......does Wentworth like chocolate.....ex-lax may be in order.....lol.

[Carl]

Sept 22, 2008 17:39:32 GMT -5 bikeguy33 said:

i would narrow it down to 1 of 2 things. first off....it does sound alot like constipation....but that is normally temporary. second could be kidney failure. they will often bloat pretty badly....but then they usually have a tough time eating. I hope someone can add to this cause I hope I am wrong about the failure thing. btw......does Wentworth like chocolate.....ex-lax may be in order.....lol.

This could be kidney or liver problems, usually you will see a consisatnt "bloat" with scales distending.

Your fish poop symptoms do speak to constipation, but as Bill said this is usually temporary, however maybe he has a genetic predisposition to constipation, but this is only a guess.

I agree with your current coarse of action, except for the use of Bloodworms, I would cut these out.
I would definetly agree with the Epsom salts in a bath (not in tank) at 1/4 teaspoon per gallon

I fast of a could of days may also be in order.

Carl

[goldenpuon]

Could you post some pics? That might help us diagnose your fish? Personally, a lot of my bettas bloat up a little right before they die of old age. I'm not sure why. I had a male that was slightly bloated for a while, then suddenly got dropsy and the a female who was slightly bloated for a few weeks with white flakes on her skin. Not to say your fish is dying of old age. I do not mean that in any way. I've had many more bettas bloat up for constipation than when they were dying! I second what Carl said about Espom salts. I bath can work wonders! Hope Wentworth feels better soon.

Renee

[sammiesam]

Thanks guys,
I know you don't mean my fish is dying it's all okay. I don't think it's anything like that because he's always been like this, he's just a little larger than usual
Either way Ill get pics maybe tomorrow or the next day I've been super busy lately -_- it's kind of a pain in the butt, lotsa stuff going on at the uni this week and lots and lots of reading to catch up on. But I'll get you guys some pics.
I think I'll give him a epsom salt bath wednesday as I'm not home until late tomorrow and let you guys know whats going on and keep you guys posted.

[sammiesam]

lol btw Bill I'm sure he wouldn't even blink an eye at chocolate, he's so picky lol if anything he'd get all up in a huff about it and be angry at me for a few days for trying to feed him something crazy! tehe

[Suzie Q (Lori)]

Sam...I have an Orange HM male that is the same way...he always gets constipated. I feed him a little every day (1/2 of what my other fish get) and then fast him over the weekend. This has seemed to help.