Hi everyone,

I’m hoping for some advice because I’m not sure if this is constipation, an internal bacterial infection, or something else.

I have a male betta that I’ve had since May 1. He’s been healthy, active, and regularly building bubble nests until recently.

About a week ago, I noticed his abdomen gradually becoming bloated. He was otherwise acting normally, so I fasted him for 3 days, and the bloating completely resolved.

After the fast, I resumed feeding only 1–2 Fluval Bug Bites once a day (he has eaten Bug Bites for over 2 months without any previous issues). He was completely normal for about 2 days.

Then overnight, the bloating returned despite the minimal feeding. Today he is noticeably bloated again and seems more sluggish than usual. He is still swimming, but he is spending more time resting on his betta hammock near the surface. I have not fed him today because I started fasting him again, so I don’t know if his appetite has changed.

I also noticed a new thin red streak in one of his fins today.

Current signs:

	•	Recurrent bloating

	•	Returned overnight after only 2 days of very small meals

	•	Mild lethargy (resting on his hammock more than usual)

	•	Still swimming normally

	•	No pineconing

	•	One new red streak in a fin

Water parameters (API Master Test Kit):

	•	Ammonia: \~0.25 ppm

	•	Nitrite: 0 ppm

	•	Nitrate: 10 ppm

	•	pH: 8.2

	•	Temperature: 29°C (heater is unplugged because of the current heat)

The tank is fully cycled, planted, and houses one mystery snail. I performed a 25% water change today.

I already have Kanaplex, but I don’t have a cycled hospital tank. I’d also prefer not to treat the display tank unless it’s truly necessary because of the mystery snail and live plants.

My questions are:

	1.	Does this sound more like constipation, an internal bacterial infection, parasites, or something else?

	2.	At what point would you start treating with Kanaplex?

	3.	If you suspected an internal bacterial infection but didn’t have a cycled hospital tank, how would you approach treatment?

	4.	Would you continue fasting at this point, or try something else?

I’ve attached photos taken today.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I’m trying to find the balance between not medicating unnecessarily and not waiting too long if this is something more serious.

Help: Recurring bloating in betta despite 3-day fast and minimal feeding - not sure whether to treat