A case of the exploding betta fish? What could be the problem?

Question

My betta fish kinda did this thing where he got big, like a puffer fish. I have no idea what was wrong with him, and I'd like to know!

He died shortly after he inflated.. and kinda made a mess in the tank, a few people said that he was just constipated, but I don't think he was! Any ideas?

Sorry, but I forgot to add, I have a community tank. All my fish were buddy-buddy, and not mordering eachother, so my betta was the only one that died like this!

Answer 1

This condition is called dropsy and the direct cause is not really known. Some experts say that the condition can be caused by a number of totally different things. What happens is that his kidneys shut down and do not allow him to get rid of liquid waste. That is the swelling that you see. By the time you can identify the cause and the swelling starts, it is usually too late for any medication to effect a cure.

Some people have had luck with giving the fish small portions of cooked peas without the skin. If your fish is still eating, this may help if it is just a digestive problem. If it is not a digestive problem, he is doomed.

Sorry for your loss.

Answer 2

Betta fish don't give live birth, for those above. He probably has a parasite. You should feed him small meals 2-3 times per day. It is very hard to treat diseases in Bettas because they are often in a small tank.

Answer 3

If his scales were erect, then he had dropsy, which is a bacterial infection that infestates the fish. Whenever you see your fish being lethargic, bloated, and with erect scales, suspect dropsy. They have medecine at your local petstore or fishtstore, but with dropy, the faster the better or else. Two of my bettas died that way.

Answer 4

It sounds like swim-bladder disease; it's a "sack" of air in the fish that allows it to stay bouyant. If it becomes infected, it can swell up and burst.