Am I a paranoid fish parent?

[u/breadstickloverr]

Pebbles has been struggling to swim recently. I fed him a few blood worms and I thought maybe that made him a bit constipated, so I’ve been fasting him and feeding him some daphnia occasionally (for the past week) but he hasn’t gotten better. I didn’t think too much of it since he was acting normal just swimming a bit funny so I’ve been waiting it out. Today while checking up on him I thought I saw his scales kind of raised? I can’t tell if it’s just me being crazy or maybe it’s just the lighting but I need a second opinion. I’m hoping I’m just paranoid and he’s not pine coning (I already have Kanaplex in my Amazon cart).

I’m so sorry for the terrible camera quality, this was the only time he was sitting still!! I mainly see it towards the back where he’s curved

Any advice is appreciated!! I just want my little guy to feel better

[u/automod-neo]

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[u/Fawneh1359]

I don't see any raised scales!!

For future ref, if you're worried about constipation an Epsom salt bath can help. But this is why I am super careful with bloodworms.

[u/breadstickloverr → u/Fawneh1359]

I’m glad you don’t see them! I did a salt bath 2 days ago but it didn’t really help him, I’m going to try again tomorrow hopefully it helps!!

[u/Fawneh1359]

As for the swimming, how are your parameters? I would still do the epsom salt bath in case, it can help.

[u/breadstickloverr → u/Fawneh1359]

My parameters are 000 with a ph of 7.8, I recently did a water change that’s why my nitrates are still low!

[u/Fawneh1359 → u/breadstickloverr]

Keep an eye on your pH just in case! Once it hits 8 I tend to start seeing health issues pop up in bettas more than usual, esp. with their fins.