My friend has a betta that is so constipated I think he’s in danger of dying. He looks like he’s swallowed two or three good-sized marbles, he is HUGE. But he refuses to eat the peas that might help him. What else could we try besides zucchini and cucumber? I told my friend to feed him absolutely no protein, and it’s been a week, but he is so stubborn he just won’t eat those peas!

That is how mine looked before he started pineconing out, and died shortly thereafter from dropsy.

It took almost 3 days for him to pinecone, and I thought it was constipation...

Inside his tummy is already bacteria infected. It is all swollen and infection. He need to be medicated. As seahorse had say above, just be ready anytime.

Epsom salt works with fish the same way it works with people - the typical dose is to use 1/4 tsp of Epsom salt per gallon of water. AND THEN THE SHIT FLOWS!!! :lol: Sorry - don't want to offend anyone...

Try it. Let me know how it works...

Get some frozen daphnia.
Petsmart sells it.

Works like a charm.
I'd also start medicating, too - just to be safe.

I'll let him know. I might even take him for a few days and treat him myself.

If there is an infection, you might want to consider using an antibiotic - BUT if you're sure he's really JUST constipated, the E-salt will do the trick. I have goldfish in addition to bettas, and they have issues with getting constipated. It works like a charm.

If the fish IS eating, the daphnia will help - if NOT, then it won't do any good. AND if the fish has an internal bacterial infection or internal parasites, then you have another problem altogether...

Epsom salts work well on constipated angelfish. I have used it along with erythromycin to wortk on any infections that may be the cause of, or caused by the constipation.

Tolak

Epsom salt is the way to go if he is constipated and it's been recommend by betta top breeders even Jim Sonnier. I really doubt the betta is conctipated as what you had explained. :doc:

How long is the E salt suppose to be in there with him? Is it just a dip or just put it in his water like regular aquarium salt?

No, it stays in the water until you see that he's okay. It's not a dip...

Don't worry about him - it won't hurt him. If you think he has something wrong, like a bacteria infection or internal parasites - the E-salt will help him 'uptake' the antibiotic.

I would use the Epsom salt per the dose I told you, then tomorrow see how he looks. There will probably be so much poop in the water you'll need to do a water change - and at that point you'll decide if you should maintain the salt in the water or not.