He started bloating right before I left for a camping trip, I put in a 1 week slow feeding block and left for 5 days. I think on day 1 or 2 the filter unplugged itself, the tank was disgusting when I got back. He was still bloated when I returned (Monday). I did a 50% water change and squeeze-cleaned the sponge filter in a bucket of dirty tank water. The next day (Tuesday) he was staying within an inch of the surface of the water, but was staying upright and his scales weren't sticking out. When he tried to swim down he would pop back up. I googled the symptoms and google said to let him sit for a few days and to not feed him anything until Friday. It is now Thursday and he has started staying at the bottom of the tank and gasping, occasionally he will pop up to the surface for a breath. His scales are not sticking out. I plan on doing a 1-2 gallon water change as soon as I post this.



• ⁠Tank size: 10 gallons • ⁠Heater and filter? (yes/no): yes • ⁠Tank temperature: 77.3 right now • ⁠Parameters in numbers and how you got them: I don't know • ⁠How long have you had the tank? How long have you had your fish?: Had the tank since September 2025, had the fish since January 2026 • ⁠How often are water changes? How much do you take out per change? What is your process?: I try to aim for once every week or two weeks, but haven't been doing them as often recently, about 2 gallons, If the glass is dirty I clean it first, then I put in an aquarium siphon and remove 2 gallons of water, during the process I try to remove and suck up any gunk. If the filter looks dirty I'll clean it. • ⁠Any tankmates? If so, please list with how many of each: 2 snails, don't know the species • ⁠What do you feed and how much: Betta Pro Shrimp Patties, about a shake or two • ⁠Decorations and plants in the tank: logs, plastic rocks, gravel, and 4 live plants at one point, but two of them died. • ⁠If you haven't already posted a picture, please post pics/vids to imgur and paste the link here: -

Betta fish bloating and sinking