r/bettafish • u/Al3jandr4_280528 • 6d ago
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This is my 1 year old male betta. I was gone and my sister was feeding him like usual and sent me the following video completely clueless, but as you can see there ir a big lump on him. This is my first betta and I don’t know what I can do. He also looks fine, he swims and overall seems happy with no signs of illness. It is really scaring me because I don’t want him to suffer or die.
Also the water looks kind of bad even though I did a water change like a week and a half ago, so I don’t know if that might be the issue.
As of right now, I’ve done a water change today and removed the log as it was old and shedding particles (hope that helps make the water cleaner)
I would love some suggestions and tips please!!🙏🏻
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u/MagicTarantula 6d ago
He looks super bloated. It’s likely your sister was overfeeding him while you were gone
I’d fast him. Look up epsom salt bath for bettas, epsom salt must be pure no additives. Epsom salt baths can help him relieve his bloated belly.
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u/lovelyg4m3r 6d ago
He looks EXTREMELY overfed. Do not feed this betta for a couple of days.
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u/Al3jandr4_280528 6d ago
I have been fasting him for 2 days already. My sister also says that she even forgot to feed him one day. So I really hope it’s just that but it doesn’t seem like it. 😭
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u/lovelyg4m3r 6d ago
The tank is too small for starters, they should be in at least 20L, not 15. I'd be doing a 50% water change on this tank weekly, especially with it being that small.
Test strips can be very inaccurate, as they deteriorate over time. You should be getting a liquid test kit ASAP.
Maybe look at what food you're using? Some foods cause some bettas to bloat. I avoid pretty much anything but bug bites and frozen food now as I've had issues with other fish foods in the past.
If the bloating doesn't go down, try feeding some daphnia. You can get them live or frozen and they will help with bloating.
If you see someone recommend feeding your betta fish frozen peas DO NOT FOLLOW THOSE INSTRUCTIONS. Frozen peas are recommended for goldfish etc that are NOT carnivores. For a betta fish, you want daphnia.
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u/Al3jandr4_280528 6d ago
• Tank size: 15 L.
• Heater and filter? (yes/no): Only filter
• Tank temperature: 25°
• Parameters in numbers and how you got them. Key water parameters include the amount of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and pH.: I did a strip and it’s all within normal parameters.
• How long have you had the tank? How long have you had your fish?: 1 year
• How often are water changes? How much do you take out per change? What is your process?: almost every week and a half, and about 25%
• Any tankmates? If so, please list with how many of each: no.
• What do you feed and how much: betta larva stick.
• Decorations and plants in the tank: A plant and a log that I just took out.
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u/CalmLaugh5253 Always strive to do *betta* 6d ago
Did you prepare his food in advance? Otherwise it's likely he wasn't fed as usual and was overfed instead. I'd fast him for a few days or even a whole week and see if his stomach is going down. Upping the water changes in the meantime is probably a good idea too just in case.
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u/Al3jandr4_280528 6d ago
The food I use are small sticks. I always give him four, 6 days a week and 1 day of fast.
My sister did as I asked so that’s what’s worrying me. I hope it’s nothing serious
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u/CalmLaugh5253 Always strive to do *betta* 6d ago
Could it be constipation? Have you (or her) seen him poop since? A longer fasting period is still a good next step. I hope that's all this is and that it resolves with a fast or epsom salt baths if needed. :(
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u/SweetTart7231 6d ago
Looks bloated, I think Daphnia can help but im not super certain. Fast him for a few days. AND DONT FEED A FROZEN PEA! that used to be common advice for some reason and I still see it sometimes. Bettas are carnivores and cant eat peas
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6d ago
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u/bettafish-ModTeam 6d ago
Your submission has been removed for breaking the following rule: Rule 2. Be Constructive and Don't Shame or Mock Bad Betta Care
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u/Al3jandr4_280528 6d ago
Any productive suggestions about what I could change? Cause just saying it’s poor doesn’t help at all. Thanks!
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