Eggbound Female

[Jenny]

My female betta has been full of eggs ever since I got her, about a year ago. She has had her egg tube extended the whole time, but never released the eggs. She has recently gotten even more swollen with eggs, to the point where it looks like she's pretty uncomfortable with it, and sometimes has trouble swimming. Is there anything I can do to get her to release or absorb them? I am keeping her away from my males now, because the extra swelling seemed to happen when I had her near my new male. He's pretty unhappy with this, as he was quite taken with her and always showing off for her. I'm also wondering if she may be lacking some part of 'machinery' that will allow her to release the eggs, or if she is just stubborn. Does anyone have any suggestions.

Other than being really swollen she seems pretty happy. She is very active, eating like a pig (jumping out of the water if I am to slow with the food), still pooping (not constipated), and very resposive when anyone goes near her tank.

[starlight]

Sorry to say, I've had my share of this problem. I'd continue to keep the male and other fish out of her sight. Some people have reported success treating egg-bound females with short-duration epsom salt baths. I'd feed her lghtly for a while and hopefully she'll absorb some of those eggs. There's no way I know to remove them, but a male betta can. Care to try your hand at breeding? he, he.

This is only the answer; if the spawn is successful the eggs will be squeezed out. Unfortunately if its not successful...that's when I've usually encountered this problem generally with poor results.

In general when I've had females release eggs, it was after spawning. After I removed the female from the spawning tank and put her in her container...then she'd release more eggs and eat them. I haven't had a female just release them on their own. Or at least I didn't see it.

I'd give her extra special treatment, more water changes, a bit less food and some gentle epsom salt baths.

Hope this helps.