Who Gives A Fish Forums

My betta's been bloated for a couple of days now and it's getting me really worried. I tried an Epsom salt bath - 2 tablespoons for 5 litres - but no luck so far. Then I gave him some thawed and de-shelled peas, which he actually choked on, and now he's even more bloated. I've decided to fast him for a couple of days to see if that helps, but he's just lying around a lot, which isn't like him. I'm thinking maybe some company would do him good - I've got a pair of amano shrimp that are pretty chill, so maybe they could keep him active?

Is your betta eating anything at all? What's the condition of its poop like? Have you checked the water parameters - ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH? It would be really helpful if you could share some pictures and a short video of your betta, that way we can get a better idea of what's going on.

He's eating, but no poop in sight. His poop was brown, shaped like a raindrop, short. Did a water change today, nitrite and ammonia levels are the same as yesterday. pH is above 7.0, water hardness is 253ppm.

Posting a video's not possible, my iPad's blocked. But I can take a photo.

@coltin, he's also got a blue tint under his chin and no pineconing.

He's eating, no poop around. His poop used to be brown, like little raindrops. That's a good sign.

His fins look pretty rough, though. How long have they been like that?

Have you used regular salt in the tank? If so, for how long?

For couple weeks his fins were like that.
I used aquarium salt for a week, stopped yesterday, 1.5 spoons.
@coltin what's going on with him? This bloat, blue under chin, and sometimes pale black head...

@coltin do you know what's going on with him? this bloat and the blue under his chin, and that pale black head that comes and goes? what did I do wrong?

I'm not sure about the blue under the chin thing, I've noticed fish can change color depending on their mood and the time of day.

The bloating's still a mystery, but I'd keep the tank clean and use salt for another week to help those fins. Maybe try feeding something different, like a varied diet. What's your usual feeding routine for the betta?

If you're using salt, I'd go with 1 to 2 heaped tablespoons per 20 liters of water. Since you used 1.5, try bumping it up to 2 heaped tablespoons for at least another week.

I'll add 2 heaped tablespoons of salt today.
My betta's main food is fluval bug bites, but I also give him bloodworms sometimes - I've run out of daphnia though.
That blue colour under his chin, @coltin, it's under his eyes and mouth - he didn't have it when I first brought him home.

I think maybe you should try fasting him for a few days, see how that goes. Then maybe introduce some pellets to his diet, I don't know, just a thought. I'm guessing the food you're giving him is pretty high in protein, that could be making it hard for him to digest, but @coltin might know better than me.

You're getting worked up over nothing, fin rot's the issue here. Treat that and calm down, no need for all this stress. Maybe a change of hobby would do you some good, I really don't like seeing you like this all the time.