Betta colic?!

[karma_llama]

About three days ago i noticed that one of my bettas was struggling at the top of the tank, belly slightly swollen and apparently floating.

Unsure of what to do i left him as he was (with regular checks on him) and to be honest was not expecting a happy outcome.

However, i came home yesterday, went to check on him and to my surprise he was absolutely fine and hasn't shown any abnormal behaviour since.

Was this just some kind of betta colic, trapped gas or something?! (looked in my betta book but no explanations)

Thanx for any help.

 

[twoluvcats]

Sounds like he had swim bladdr disorder. It can be self correcting. Here's a good article on causes and treatment: http://bettas.fishjunkies.com/Disorders/sbd.php/Disorders/sbd.php

Glad he worked it out on his own!!

 

[chilifire]

MY BABY SLUGGO

Is this something I should worry about. I just got a new betta about a week ago. I hope he doesn't get sick. You get attached so fast to the little critters.

 

[twoluvcats]

seems to me that swim bladder disorder in bettas is like colic with horses...it can happen to any one, its related to overfeeding/improper diet, but even the best fed betta can one day swallow a pellet wrong and end up upside down.

If you are careful about how/what you feed your betta, it shouldn't happen...in theory.

 

[karma_llama]

My betta shouldnt have been over fed as he only gets a betta pellet thing once every two days (sometimes two pellets).

The only thing i can think is that maybe he scoffed the 1/4 segment of sinking tablet that i put in for the otto. I hope not as it wasnt intended for him.

I generally keep an eye on their 'belly' size to see when they are ready for a feed Hopefully he just swallowed his food with a little to much 'gusto'!!!

........BRAINWAVE......just as i was about to post this i suddenely remembered something that would explain it and what he ate....cucumber!! I put a little piece in for the ottos and i bet he has eaten that! I totally forgot i'd put that in, and it's gone now! Don't think the ottos will be getting cucumber again.
Problem solved and remedy aquired.

Thanks for your help.