Expert: Lynda - 11/5/2009

Question
Hi Lynda.  I really need your help. I am at my wit's end with my sick betta, Kublai.  I have had him since July of 2008 and he was doing great until about a month ago.  He stopped eating so I made the mistake of thinking he would be happier in a 3 gallon instead of a 1 gallon I had him in. I tricked out his new  home with a plant and a heater since it was fall again and getting colder. I made sure the water was consistent before putting Kublai in. However, I read that aquarium salt could help make him happier as well, so I added the recommended amount. Kublai would dart around like crazy for days and still did not eat. Oh the heater gradually warmed the water to 80 degrees F.  His one gallon was at about 71 or 72.  I figured he needed time to acclimate to his new environment.  I had the water tested at a pet store just to make sure that it was ok.  I started to notice his stomach swelling up but he started to gain his color back. And he began to calm down and swim normally. He also  liked to hang out on the leaves of the fake plant in his tank.  I fed him bits of thawed out peas and he began eating again.  I changed the water regularly and he finally started eating his flakes again. I now feed him six days out of the week instead of everyday. But his stomach was protruding more and more. So I put him back in his 1 gallon tank and tried treating him for Dropsy with Maracyn-two. I am on day 4 of a 5 day treatment and he is not looking any better. I looked at the package and found out it had expired in June of 2009. I am so upset that they would sell expired products! I also have Maracyn, that is not expired. Should I begin using that? What should I do? You are my last hope. Please, please help me save my Kubs!

Answer
Hi Lil,
When heating water for bettas, you must do this very slowly, bringing his temperature up one degree every two days.  Bringing up the temperature too quickly could be deadly.  A drop in temperature is also deadly.   I'm not sure you did this.  When feeding the betta peas, you must remove the outer layer, and feed him nothing else on that day.  He should have one frozen pea a week.  Adding Daphnia to his diet would also be good for him.  Bettas should have 2-3 small meals a day.  Two pellets, or two flakes is enough for one meal.  Their tummy is the size of their eye, and we must always be careful not to overfeed them.
Kanamycin is very good for Swim Bladder Disease, but sometimes hard to find.  If you cannot find it, buy "Tetracycline" or "Furan-2"  Keep him in a three gallon tank.  Small tanks are not good for bettas.  They should really be in 5 gallon heated tanks.  Change all of his water, do not add salt.  Salt is not good when fish have Swim Bladder Disease.  Do not wait to get the medication, as constipation leads to Swim Bladder, and if left untreated will lead to Dropsy.  Be careful not to overdose.  Keep him in his treatment for three days, change all the water again, and continue treatment for another three days, changing his water again, making sure his water is always the same temperature.
I hope the little guy pulls through.
Lynda