Who Gives A Fish Forums

boomer wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 8:09 pm I think it's possible that your boy Pisces' belly is bloated due to gorging on the bloodworms, but there could be other factors at play as well.

To be honest, bloodworms aren't the healthiest food option, and I'd recommend limiting them to once a week. They can cause internal issues, and it's hard to say if that's what's going on with Pisces.

Also, I've found that it's best to thaw out frozen fish food before feeding. Just put the block in a small dish of tank water - I use warm tap water, doesn't seem to make a difference - and let it thaw completely before feeding.

boomer wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 8:09 pm I think it's possible that your boy Pisces' belly is bloated due to gorging on the bloodworms, but there could be other factors at play as well.

To be honest, bloodworms aren't the healthiest food option, and I'd recommend limiting them to once a week. They can cause internal issues, and it's hard to say if that's what's going on with Pisces.

Also, I've found that it's best to thaw out frozen fish food before feeding. Just put the block in a small dish of tank water - I use warm tap water, doesn't seem to make a difference - and let it thaw completely before feeding.

stormbolt wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 6:22 pm My boy Pisces had a tough time eating for the past 10 days, he just wasn't feeling well. Now he's back to normal, but after feeding him live frozen bloodworms, I've noticed his belly is bloated. I do see tiny feces coming out, which is a good sign. The people at Petsmart told me I could cut the block in half and it would thaw with the tank's temperature, but now I'm having trouble. When I tried to feed him today, I did what they said, but his belly is swollen. I tried to clean up as much as I could, but it's hard - the turkey baster I got didn't help much, and the worms went everywhere.

Is it normal for his belly to be a bit bloated after eating bloodworms?

onyxwolf wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 10:54 pm

stormbolt wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 6:22 pm My boy Pisces had a tough time eating for the past 10 days, he just wasn't feeling well. Now he's back to normal, but after feeding him live frozen bloodworms, I've noticed his belly is bloated. I do see tiny feces coming out, which is a good sign. The people at Petsmart told me I could cut the block in half and it would thaw with the tank's temperature, but now I'm having trouble. When I tried to feed him today, I did what they said, but his belly is swollen. I tried to clean up as much as I could, but it's hard - the turkey baster I got didn't help much, and the worms went everywhere.

Is it normal for his belly to be a bit bloated after eating bloodworms?

I've got 9 bettas, and yeah, they do get pretty puffed up after having bloodworms. I used to have trouble with them spreading everywhere, but then I started using a 1oz plastic squirt bottle instead of a turkey baster - it's been a game-changer. Since I've got so many fish to feed, I make up a bunch of food at once. What I do is fill a plastic measuring cup with tank water, and then I stick it in a hot water bath for 15-30 minutes - it melts and warms up the food perfectly. Then I just transfer it to the squirt bottle, and it's super easy to control how much food I'm giving them.

Maybe you could try cutting the frozen worms into quarters, and then only warming up a quarter at a time? That way, you can control how much your betta is eating. I also try to mix things up for my guys - I give them flake food, pellets, frozen brine shrimp, and frozen beefheart. It's a lot to keep track of with all my tanks and fish, but it's worth it to keep them healthy and happy.

onyxwolf wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 10:54 pm

stormbolt wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 6:22 pm My boy Pisces had a tough time eating for the past 10 days, he just wasn't feeling well. Now he's back to normal, but after feeding him live frozen bloodworms, I've noticed his belly is bloated. I do see tiny feces coming out, which is a good sign. The people at Petsmart told me I could cut the block in half and it would thaw with the tank's temperature, but now I'm having trouble. When I tried to feed him today, I did what they said, but his belly is swollen. I tried to clean up as much as I could, but it's hard - the turkey baster I got didn't help much, and the worms went everywhere.

Is it normal for his belly to be a bit bloated after eating bloodworms?

I've got 9 bettas, and yeah, they do get pretty puffed up after having bloodworms. I used to have trouble with them spreading everywhere, but then I started using a 1oz plastic squirt bottle instead of a turkey baster - it's been a game-changer. Since I've got so many fish to feed, I make up a bunch of food at once. What I do is fill a plastic measuring cup with tank water, and then I stick it in a hot water bath for 15-30 minutes - it melts and warms up the food perfectly. Then I just transfer it to the squirt bottle, and it's super easy to control how much food I'm giving them.

Maybe you could try cutting the frozen worms into quarters, and then only warming up a quarter at a time? That way, you can control how much your betta is eating. I also try to mix things up for my guys - I give them flake food, pellets, frozen brine shrimp, and frozen beefheart. It's a lot to keep track of with all my tanks and fish, but it's worth it to keep them healthy and happy.

onyxwolf wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 10:54 pm

stormbolt wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 6:22 pm My boy Pisces had a tough time eating for the past 10 days, he just wasn't feeling well. Now he's back to normal, but after feeding him live frozen bloodworms, I've noticed his belly is bloated. I do see tiny feces coming out, which is a good sign. The people at Petsmart told me I could cut the block in half and it would thaw with the tank's temperature, but now I'm having trouble. When I tried to feed him today, I did what they said, but his belly is swollen. I tried to clean up as much as I could, but it's hard - the turkey baster I got didn't help much, and the worms went everywhere.

Is it normal for his belly to be a bit bloated after eating bloodworms?

I've got 9 bettas, and yeah, they do get pretty puffed up after having bloodworms. I used to have trouble with them spreading everywhere, but then I started using a 1oz plastic squirt bottle instead of a turkey baster - it's been a game-changer. Since I've got so many fish to feed, I make up a bunch of food at once. What I do is fill a plastic measuring cup with tank water, and then I stick it in a hot water bath for 15-30 minutes - it melts and warms up the food perfectly. Then I just transfer it to the squirt bottle, and it's super easy to control how much food I'm giving them.

Maybe you could try cutting the frozen worms into quarters, and then only warming up a quarter at a time? That way, you can control how much your betta is eating. I also try to mix things up for my guys - I give them flake food, pellets, frozen brine shrimp, and frozen beefheart. It's a lot to keep track of with all my tanks and fish, but it's worth it to keep them healthy and happy.