Beatty tries to eat, but can't

[ladyLimpet]

Help! Beatty is our family pet, we've had him since Oct. 2002. Currently, he tries to eat his food, but it looks as if it pops back out of his mouth. Then later we see all the food sunk to the bottom. This has gone on for about a week now and we are very concerned. The kids are young and do not want to see their friend die. Please help. I have read the archives and did not find anything that quite matched and I have checked out the illnes section, no match their either.

[Emerson]

Is it the same food you've always fed? Is there any change in his appearance?

sef

[ladyLimpet]

Yes, it is the same as always and we haven't changed anything else either. He is still making bubbles, swimming around and responsive, but cannot seem to swallow (?) his food.

[Betta MVP]

Spitting out food could be a sign of constipation. Have you noticed any poo in the bottom of his tank/bowl? Try feeding him tiny bits of a cooked, peeled frozen pea for a couple of days and see if this helps him.

Good luck.

[ladyLimpet]

Thanks, we will try that. But since they don't float, how does the fish eat it?

[Betta MVP]

You could try feeding it to him on the end of a flat toothpick. Just be careful not to use a sharp end so he doesn't hurt himself.

[susie]

I'm having the same problem witha betta I rescued from a lily vase in a hospital gift shop last week. I hope he is just constipated, I may have over fed him this first week because he was so malnurished. I worry about him, I get so attached to these little guys!

[MrsSmitty]

We all do! Bettas are addictive!

If your betta's doing the same as Beatty, Susie, then that answers my question about whether or not he could be chewing. Lady, sometimes bettas look like they're spitting out their food when actually they're chewing it! They spit, and then grab it again, then spit...and so on.

You could try the pea--good idea! If it were my little guy, I'd also try some frozen bloodworms and another brand of pellet. Bettas are carnivores, and need a varied diet to be at their healthiest. LOL ask sef about this--her guys get such a smorgasboard! I won't let my bettas read her posts they'd get jealous. My boys get two different types of food a day (one pellet, one flake), and a bloodworm treat once a week or so.

Cute name! Hope he gets better soon. (btw, is there a Warren around? there should be!)

[ladyLimpet]

Thankyou to all!! Beatty is doing better!! We went to the Aquarium store here in Austin and met a wonderful person! He gave us a bit of sea salt and we purchased BettaFix. After just one day of treatment, Beatty began eating again. Just one pellet a day at first, but now he is up to two in the morning and one at night!!! WE are so excited!! We were worried that since he was almost 1 year with us, that he might be approaching the end of his life, but it appears that he is on the mend and God willing, he will remain with us for some time to come. Thank you to all! From my children and Fish and I.

[Emerson]

MrsSmitty said:

LOL ask sef about this--her guys get such a smorgasboard! I won't let my bettas read her posts

We're thinking of adding a kitchenette under the aquarium, just to house all the fish food. ;D

[mickey]

hey Sef .... dont feel bad about adding the kitchenette...im in the market for a small ice box with freezer to keep my bloodworms and other live foods and frozen foods in ...lol ... Mickey