It looks like a balloon and inflated. What is the problem?
2007-11-15 14:00:44 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
If it is BEHIND the gills, it has nothing to do with anger or territorial issues. Look at the fish's abdomen. If the scales around the swelling are pointing away from the body, it is probably dropsy, which is incurable. In this case, do your best to keep the tank water pristine (water changes 2-3 times a week). In super clean water, you will give the Betta's immune system a chance to remove the excess fluid from its abdominal cavity.
If there are no pine coning (sticking out) scales, it is likely constipation, which is MUCH less severe. Though it can kill a fish if nothing is done, it is easily remedied. You can feed your Betta a split pea (which is like a Betta laxative), or just don't feed it for a few days. Either of these methods should work, but the pea is best because it takes much less time to solve the problem... Contact me if you have any questions.
Soop Nazi
EDIT: What the other answers are describing is flaring, which is when Bettas force their operculums (gill plates) outwards to appear more intimidating to any threat (humans, other fish, their reflections). This will not be behind the gill, but the gill itself.
2007-11-15 14:09:43 · answer #1 · answered by nosoop4u246 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He is most likely in fight mode. There are fin-type skin deposits behind the gills of a beta that are flared up to deter challengers and predators. Another possibility is that he is looking to breed. The skin deposits are used to attract mates as well. If he is near a reflective surface, anything that may seem threatening, or even something that may seem a little... hmmm.. "interesting", try moving his tank.
2007-11-15 22:04:04 · answer #2 · answered by Jennifer K 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
hmm..
my betta did that when he got mad.
he puffed his gills out.
Hes trying to tell ya to go away. they are VERY territorial.
unless you mean that there is a bump behind his gill..
hm.
hope hes okay..
edit: wow somebody was mad.. they thumbs downed everybody. :(
2007-11-15 22:03:09 · answer #3 · answered by ReBelle 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
that just means its trying to acts scary or tough to scare others away because it is scared, they always do so around other betas.
2007-11-15 22:04:08 · answer #4 · answered by Christina T 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it probably means hes mad or sick make sure you dont have a mirror like glass in your tank
2007-11-15 22:03:55 · answer #5 · answered by magdaly 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if it is white its probably ick if not just a air pocket
2007-11-15 22:07:31 · answer #6 · answered by tracy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He's pissed. Is your aquarium back reflective.
2007-11-15 22:02:26 · answer #7 · answered by alwaysmoose 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
it means its mad! sign of defense!
2007-11-15 22:03:08 · answer #8 · answered by Ms. Jonas~a.k.a the kelster 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋