New Crowntail has a terribly swollen belly...

[celiabird]

I just bought a male crowntail because I felt sorry for him, his belly is extremely swollen. He is very active, but was in water that had algae on the sides of the container, about a cup of water, now I have him in a 5 gallon tank. I added a tablespoon of Epsom salts to the water, and have only offered him a peeled pea to eat, so far he just looks at it. I have only had him for about eight hours, and just read that he needs a heater and filter which I will add to the tank. Am I doing the right things to give him a chance to get better? Thanks for any help...

[Pink Fishie]

Did you cut the cooked shelled pea small enough for him to eat? I have read about fish that didn't eat the pea until it could fit in their mouth.
Hope your fish gets better!

[celiabird]

No, I didn't cook the pea. I will cook them in the future, you are right that a mushy pea is easier for him to eat and I can break it up into smaller pieces. He is still alive and active, but his tummy is so swollen it's almost transparent. I just felt so sorry for him, they say not to buy sick fish but I just knew he would die a horrible death if I didn't try to do something for him. I have named him Spike because of his fins and because he seems to be young and feisty. I've also put a heater and filter on his tank, and given him some meds for bacterial infections. I will let you know if he gets better or not. Thanks for your help!

[timatah]

How did you go with your swollen belly Crowntail. I have had one for a week and my crowntail has a huge belly. Is he a fatty, or sick?

[celiabird]

My crowntail seems to be just a "fatty", he isn't sick. Sometimes his belly looks a little less swollen, but he is always active. He really likes eating frozen bloodworms, and it seems his belly isn't always as swollen when he is eating the frozen food instead of the flakes or pellets. Maybe that makes a difference. I hope your crowntail isn't sick. Mine eats cooked, mushed-up peas and carrots as well, and the peas help if they are constipated. An anti-bacterial medication can also be helpful, I gave mine a couple of treatments with Maracyn Plus. He seems to be just fine so I am not worrying about him anymore. Good Luck!

[BettaLu&Meg]

the best thing to feed him for now is the betta flakes. hopefully he dosen't have dropsy, if he did he wouldn"t eat so thats a good start! and i think its definitly a good thing u gave him a new start. i started w/ one and ended up with 13 at the end of the month and now i breed every chance i get.