You have probably been asking can betta fish get fat and if your pet is the right size. In many cases, it is hard to determine if it is bigger because it is growing or is it just getting fat. And yes, your betta pet can get fat and there comes another question – obesity. It is not very uncommon in bettas and in most cases, it is caused by overfeeding.
Many new owners fear that they are not feeding their pet enough, it looks like it is hungry all the time and there they make a common mistake feeding their pet too much, causing a much bigger problem. Like with all human being’s obesity causes a number of health issues and it is the same with animals, too. It is dangerous for one’s health, causes a lot of damage and many serious health issues and in some cases, your pet can even die.
However, there are also other reasons and conditions that can cause your pet to increase in size. Your betta pet might be carrying eggs or it is sick with dropsy. Maybe there is a tumor growing from the inside, or it is fat because of the poor diet you are providing that causes constipation and a bloated belly. You have to be well informed about all the possibilities and observe the fish for signs and signals. In most cases it will be hard to distinguish if it is a condition due to an illness or obesity but even if that is the case you can improve certain conditions for your pet until you figure out what you are dealing with.
In this article:
Can a betta fish be overweight?
If you observe your fish, you should see the difference in its appearance. A betta can look overweight but the cause is more important and it could be a number of things. It is very unlikely that your betta is overweight out of nothing especially if you stick to feeding rules providing proper food at a certain meal time. There are many reasons for a fish to become fat and has nothing to do with food. It is extremely important to observe and try to identify the reason why your pet is gaining weight because it can be quite serious.
However, in some rare cases, a betta can become swollen or fat due to overfeeding. Overfeeding with the wrong types of food causes constipation and other problems. To prevent this, you can feed your betta less and use healthier food and food of higher quality. If you overfeed your betta, you will increase the level of waste that will consequently increase the level of ammonia and decrease the level of oxygen in the water. Due to poor water quality, your fish will start gasping for oxygen at the surface.
What happens when a betta fish gets fat?
If you notice that your betta is fat there are things you can do. Nothing bad will happen if you fast your pet for a day or two. Fasting should be a part of their diet and it is recommended by many experts.
If you decide to change the diet it is better if you go with small steps. First, you cut the portions and after a week introduce fast for a day. Then carry on with reducing portions and fasting your pet periodically. Keep an eye on your pet and observe for the changes to happen. Overfeeding your betta pet is more harmful than underfeeding it. If your betta just got fat because you served more than you were supposed to, it will lose weight after rearranging the diet and you have the problem solved.
Is my betta fat or bloated?
Several things can cause your betta’s stomach to look bloated and overfeeding is the most common one. The advice is to feed your betta as much as it can eat during two minutes and to take out the leftovers from the tank if uneaten during that period. Uneaten food collects at the bottom and causes pollution of the water.
Since bettas tend to bloat it is better if you offer smaller amounts of food. And why? It is because betta’s stomach is the size of an eye and you should only serve that amount of food. That is about 3 to 4 pellets a day. Some dry foods contain less moisture and tend to swell when put in the water. In order not to make a mistake with the amount the advice is to soak the food ten minutes before you serve it to your pet. Dry food also causes constipation which needs to be treated as well.
But bloating can also be caused by a more serious condition – dropsy. This is a very serious disease that is not easily cured and, in most cases, ends up fatal to your pet. The fish looks bloated due to the buildup of fluid inside. Treating is rather complex and it takes urgent action.
How to control a Betta fish weight?
Controlling your betta`s weight has everything to do with the diet and nothing severe. You should check the label on the food you use for your pet. If it appears to have a significant amount of fat in it try switching for another product. If this is not the case you need to cut the portions. But you need to do it with attention. Start by decreasing each meal by one pellet and carry on with it for some time. After two weeks your pet’s condition should be improved. If nothing changes then you need to try switching the supplier.
If you are of those who offer treats quite often try to exclude them for a while. Rich fruits that are often served as treats are ok once a week but not every other day. If you feel sorry for your pet try shelled green peas. It will serve better and it is more beneficial to your betta.
Can Betta fish get fat? Final Thoughts
If your betta grows in size and you do not identify any of the things mentioned such as carrying eggs, sickness or tumors then simply say your betta is getting bigger. When looking from above, if your betta`s sides bulge outside and do not follow the shoulder line then your betta is fat or sick. when we are wondering can betta fish get fat, the first thing that crosses your mind is overfeeding so consider your habits and rearrange the diet for your pet. If you notice no improvement or other symptoms try to identify what they are and react accordingly.
Food and nutrition are essential for a healthy and happy life but if you are overfeeding your pet, you will harm and endanger its health more than if not feeding it at all.