BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish Help! Overweight betta?

I am trying to rescue a betta that's being kept at my work as a sort of department pet (he was actually a reject that they tried to give to somebody who was leaving and the person conveniently "forgot" to take him). Therefore, nobody is taking good care of him. I actually first noticed him because the water in his tank (1/2 gallon maybe?) was completely disgusting with crud everywhere. It looked like his water hadn't been changed for ages and I felt so bad for him. I also think they've overfed him. I know bettas can be different sizes but seriously this one is HUGE. He also stays at the bottom mostly, and he looks like he's got a bit of a "gut", if you can call it that.

My question is, how would I help him "lose weight"? Apart from just looking fat, he doesn't appear to be sick. (which is a miracle considering the conditions he's living in) He appears normal except for his hanging around at the bottom, probably because he's so heavy! Should I fast him to help him get back to a normal size, and for how long? Basically, what should I do to help him?!?!

You say you are trying to rescue him, but I'm not sure how much you are willing to do/buy so here is what I suggest:

Take him home or at least put him in your office. He is a living thing and needs attention just like a cat or dog. Buy him a larger tank. Even a small one will be an improvement (think 2 gallons or so). Get him a small heater (jr aquatics has a good one for small tanks). Do regular water changes (treat the water, with stress coat for example, to take out chlorine and/or chloramine). Feed him a good quality food (hikari gold is supposed to be good but I have never used it). Play with him and talk to him. They are very social fish and enjoy attention a lot. They have TONS of personality. Other than this, find someone who would give him a good home. If you were closer I would take him, but I'm NC. Maybe someone here can take him if you don't want to take him.
Please at least give him a little attention everyday. They are very personable and since he's on the bottom, he's probably depressed (yes fish can get depressed too, lol).
As for the weight, it may be his food. But I think getting him in better conditions is more important than a diet right now. Please let us know how it goes.
Good Luck!!
<img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Well, I already have two bettas, but I would be willing to take this one and get him a new tank and stuff. (gosh, this is starting to cost me a fortune!!) <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I'm not sure if they'll let me take him, but I'm going to see what I can do.

Yes, they are costly little critters. I didn't realize you had 2 already. Didn't mean to give you the basics all over, lol. Hopefully they will let you take him, but if not, you can still provide a nice environment for him where he is. Good Luck!!

How is the betta doing?

Well, today I tried to put him in a new, bigger bowl, but while I was filling it with water, it cracked! <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> So, since I don't have anything else right now, for the time being I cleaned as much of the crud as I could from his bowl and put in fresh water treated with Stress Coat and a pinch of aquarium salt. He put up a big stink when I tried to take him out, and I don't know if you've ever seen this particular tank, but it's a hassle to try to get him out and clean (the crud sticks to everything, it's all plastic). It looks cute, but is in no way practical or big enough, especially for a betta.


I also got a little nervous, because when I put him in the new treated water he thrashed about for a few seconds. I'm not sure what kind of water they normally use, but I'm thinking bottled, so maybe the switch to tap freaked him out in some way. He was ok only after a few seconds, but he was making ME start to freak out. Gus, my work betta, always gets tap water and has been fine.

that IS a cute office tank, but it looks like there are too many sharp edges to tear fins on, and yeah I bet it's a pain to clean!

oh, as far as a diet, I wouldn't try it. Just feed him properly on 3-5 pellets a day and he should naturally recover. I like to add a fast day or two to my bettas every week also, to help clear their systems. if he's at work, that would be on the weekend.

make sure it's not dropsy that he has instead of a gut. if his scales are sticking out tlike a pinecone, he will probably not make it. if so, just make him comfortable with clean water, salt, proper temps, etc. Don't try to medicate dropsy - they either recover (rare) or die anyway (usually)...so stressing him out with meds just makes his end miserable instead.

But hopefully he's just a fatty! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

here is the Office Betta article:

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art36468.asp

let me know if I left anything important out! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />