Betta Fish Poop – All You Need To Know About Poop, Constipation Issue

When you feed your betta fish and don’t see them pooping, it’s only natural to ask, “Do Betta Fish Poop?” The answer is: Yes. Betta fish do poop, but they don’t do it as often. That’s probably why you don’t see them pooping. 

Another reason is that bettas are a little secretive about their poop. They often choose a spot with privacy, like a corner with leaves and reeds, and they usually poop at the same spot. So if your fish swims to a secluded spot time and again, it’s not because they need some alone time; it’s because your fish is about to poop!

Some Facts About Betta Fish Poop and Issues Of Constipation

How Often Do Betta Fish Poop?

Betta fish poop 4 to 6 times a day, provided they’re given a healthy diet, and the tank temperature is moderate. You might have noticed that your betta fish eats like there is no tomorrow, but that’s not because of hunger. They are following their wild instincts, which help them prepare for food shortages. 

But this behavior also leads to overeating if the caretaker is not aware of this. So, as long as you give them a healthy diet at intervals indicated by the food manufacturer and the temperature is between 74 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, your betta will poop 4 to 6 times a day. But even if your betta poops at least once per day, it’s normal. Regular poops indicate that your betta’s digestive system is working properly.

Where Do Betta Fish Poop From?

Betta fish poop from a small opening in front of the anal fin and just behind the ventral fin. Their digestive system works like any other fish as it goes from mouth to stomach to intestines and finally to the anal opening.

Their poop normally looks like food pallets with a slightly different color from the ones they ate. The size of poop pallets depends on how much they ate. Normally their poop is reddish in color, and its size is smaller than a food pallet. It’s hard to see a single poop, but fortunately, bettas often poop at the same spot. So, a buildup of poop at the bottom is easier to notice.

Betta Fish with Hanging Poop:

Sometimes, if bettas are overfed or constipated, you may notice poop accumulated around and hanging from their anus. As long as it’s brown, it’s not a cause for too much worry. But if it’s white in color, it may be a sign of parasites. You should see a professional in this case.

If the poop is brown and hanging from the anus, check the fish’s stomach. If it’s bloated, it’s likely because of constipation. It happens because you are overfeeding the fish or the instructions are not correct in your food manual. Or you are feeding them flaky foods. 

Whatever the cause of constipation, don’t worry. It’s pretty simple to resolve this issue.  

How to Help a Constipated Betta

If your betta fish is bloated and they are not pooping, it’s a sign of constipation. There are a few things you can do to mitigate the situation:

• Regulate your fish tank temperature. Cold temperatures slow down the fish’s metabolism. Make the water a little warmer to accelerate the digestive process.
• Make your betta fish fast for 1 to 3 days. It will give your fish time to clear out any waste accumulated in their stomach. Once you see your fish’s appearance back to normal, start feeding them regularly again but refrain from overfeeding them.
• Flash boil a frozen pea and then flash cold it to remove the peel. Then feed it to your betta. Peas contain a lot of fibers that are good for digestive health, and your betta will be pooping in no time. If they don’t eat peas, feeding them thawed, Daphnia might be feasible for you.
• If your betta is alone in the tank, add another betta to encourage flaring as betta often poop when flaring. If you can’t do that, place a mirror right beside your fish tank so that your betta mistakes its reflection for another fish and starts flaring. 

Once their digestive health is back to normal, feed your fish, peas, or daphnia every week to incorporate fibers in your betta’s diet to promote normal digestion.

Conclusion:

Fish poop tells a lot about your fish’s health. Although you don’t normally stare at your fish tank 24/7, you don’t need to! But some signs indicate bad digestion, like bloated fish or poop hanging from your betta fish’s anal opening. Most of the time, it’s because of overfeeding the fish, and you can easily resolve this issue by making your fish fast for some time or giving them thawed peas or daphnia. Keep track of their digestive health so that you can maintain it and they can stay happy and strong.