Why is my betta's belly swollen and why does he keep sinking?

Thanks for reaching out about Elliot and including photos. Concerns would include over-inflation of the swim bladder, causing positive buoyancy. This is possibly caused by an infection of the physostomatic duct which connects the swim bladder to the intestinal tract. If that duct is blocked, air can not escape the swim bladder and becomes over distended, thereby floating more. Antibiotics are needed to treat, and a veterinary visit is recommended. good luck.

The first thing that needs to be done is a water quality analysis. If you don't have a test kit, most pet stores sell a basic test kit that measures pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. If any of those are amiss, correct that problem. Laying on the bottom of the tank is often a sign of swim bladder disease. This could be an infection, fluid accumulation or a mass pressing on the swim bladder. All of these create a situation where the swim bladder can not contain air, that allows them to control their buoyancy in the water column. The best treatment for this is seek assistance at a veterinary clinic with experience with fish, and have systemic antibiotics prescribed. A radiographs would be helpful in diagnosis. A good fish veterinarian would probably be able to aspirate the swim bladder and collect a sample for diagnosis. The majority of antibiotics available for fish over-the-counter are not good for internal infections and could possibly make things worse. Good luck.

By your description, there may be seversl issues here. Check the water chemistry and quality. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Ideally, you want the following parameters: 0 ppm ammonia, 0 ppm nitrites, 20 ppm or less nitrates, pH around 7, water temperature between 78 F and 80 F. Perform partial water changes to stabilize chemistry and/or to improve water quality. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. Decrease the water level to make it easier for your fish to surface. Fast him for 2-3 days then feed bits of cooked and shelled green peas until swimming and defecation are normal. If he remains bloated, prepare a bowl of water at the proper temperature and dissolve 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt for each gallon. Allow for a 15-30 minute swim once or twice daily. In the main tank, use an antibiotic, such ad Kanaplex or Maracyn, to treat infection/fin rot. A conditioner such as StressCoat can also help fins. These products can be found in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.

Thanks for reaching out about Bubbles and including a photo. Abdominal distention (often termed "dropsy") can be due to accumulated fluid, eggs, enlarged organs or displaced swim bladder. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Store purchased medications are a waste of monies and will not fix anything. A diagnosis needs to be made to effectively treat. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Aspen and including photos. This in not likely a problem with the fin, but a swim bladder disorder, therefore floating at the surface. Test and correct water quality for pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Swim bladder disorders are often associated with secondary infections, abdominal masses or other problems. Only a veterinarian can assist with a diagnostic/treatment plan, so scheduling a visit is recommended. Good luck.

Bump the temperature up to 80 F. The warmer water may aid in digestion. Continue feeding bits of cooked, shelled green peas until he is defecating normally and regularly. If internal parasites are a concern, PraziPro or General Cure (by API) may resolve the issue. PraziPro is safe for the snails. If you decide to use General Cure, it would be safest to remove the snails during treatment.

I am sorry to hear about it. Altered buoyancy is usually due to a swim bladder infection/inflammation. Possible abdominal tumors can often cause these problems as well. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.