is my betta overweight and a few other questions

[HelplessNewbie]

Have had our red female betta Polly 5 weeks or so.

1. Ever since the 2nd week, she has had a rounded tummy, with more yellowish scales. She eats and acts normal otherwise. Is she just overfed? 4 day fasting didn't make a difference. I hope this isn't pineconing. Photo attached.

2. Yesterday, Polly was transferred from quarantine into our 10g with our lone surviving green neon tetra Terry. They are under constant observation. Any tips on feeding so that Terry gets some food, in spite of Polly's appetite? He was already difficult to feed, very particular about the particle size (was crushing nano pellets practically to powder) and doesn't grab the pieces until there is a bunch spread out (overfeeding). I do have Tails the mystery snail, so hoping he gets the extras, but with Polly there now, I am afraid she will just get fatter.

 

[HelplessNewbie]

3. We intend to rebuild the green neon tetra school. Knowing there is a long quarantine ahead, should I just get 6 or 7, or 8 or 9 right away, or just 3 or 4 each time? Don't want to overwhelm the 10g. Judging by the water clarity alone, I know the 6 week old tank hasn't cycled yet.

[Lennie]

She looks eggbound to me. I would fast her at least for like 5 days and try to make her absorb the eggs.

If it does not work then you may need to try epsom salt. But I cant tell the ratio.

@Odd Duck could you please help Duck?

[Jackson]

On 7/16/2023 at 9:57 AM, HelplessNewbie said:

He was already difficult to feed, very particular about the particle size (was crushing nano pellets practically to powder) and doesn't grab the pieces until there is a bunch spread out (overfeeding). I do have Tails the mystery snail, so hoping he gets

My tetras are picky about the size, color , shape of the flakes and only eat in the middle of the water and tank . They eat nothing else . I do have some other food to try in mind . But what I have tried other than ... They don't eat it . 😭

[HelplessNewbie]

On 7/16/2023 at 12:27 PM, Lennie said:

She looks eggbound to me. I would fast her at least for like 5 days and try to make her absorb the eggs.

okay, I will try again

On 7/16/2023 at 4:03 PM, Jackson said:

My tetras are picky about the size, color , shape of the flakes and only eat in the middle of the water and tank . They eat nothing else . I do have some other food to try in mind . But what I have tried other than ... They don't eat it . 😭

I know, so frustrating, right? I wonder if black neon tetras are the same way.

[Jackson]

On 7/16/2023 at 5:57 PM, HelplessNewbie said:

okay, I will try again

I know, so frustrating, right? I wonder if black neon tetras are the same way.

Yes , they are ....

Edited July 16 by Jackson

[HelplessNewbie]

That's too bad.

[Jackson]

On 7/16/2023 at 7:49 PM, HelplessNewbie said:

That's too bad.

It's just the way it is . They like micro flakes . 😁 The black neons are nice . That silver stripe reflects different color light or off objects in the tank such as green from a plant . I Want to get one of those lights with different colors so that I can change up the color of the stripe when I want to.

[Odd Duck]

Polly looks more likely to be egg bound so fasting for a few days to trigger resorption is about all you can do short of trying to breed her which is tricky at best as the male and female aren’t guaranteed to get along and he could beat her up badly if things don’t go right.  It can be extremely difficult to tell if they are egg bound vs. enlargement of other internal organs so even fasting can carry fairly significant risk.  It’s probably your best chance of recovery at this point.

If she survives this, you’ll probably need to figure out something on your feeding differences to minimize her getting egg bound in the future.