Constipated Fish

I know this is a total random post but I thought I'd share some advice to all you Beta Fish owners.

For starters: Do not flush your fish yet until you have read this post. He may not be as dead as you think.

This is Duncan ↓ and he is constipated.


Do not feel sorry for him. He is absolutely spoiled, and we love him. He loves us too. He knows when we enter the room each morning. If we walk by him without speaking to him or feeding him, he will throw his glass rocks to get our attention. Then of course we have to show him some attention.

He is two and a half years old. In the past he has suffered tail rot in which you can read about it here.
But twice he has gotten constipated. Both times was when we went on vacation for a week and left him with a beta feeder tablet. I think he eats to much that way or either stresses out that we are gone. Id say its the second reason mentioned.

What is it? Its also known as "Swim Bladder" and its common for Beta Fish. 

Symptoms: Duncan was unable to swim right. He swam sideways often floating on top or sinking to the bottom. I was preparing his funeral because this can be deadly if left untreated. His digestive track was enlarged and pressing on his swim bladder. I bet he was in pain too.

Possible causes: This is caused by flake food or freeze dried food which expand in a fishes stomach and a fishes eyes are bigger than their stomach. It can also be caused by the water being to cold making their metabolism slow down. Their water needs to stay around 76-80 degrees.

How to fix it: Start with clean warm water (close to 80 degrees, but add it slow so it doesn't shock him). Take all the rocks off the bottom so you can monitor his poop. Do not feed for 3 Days!!! He will be fine. Betas can go as long as a week without eating even though I wouldn't suggest it. That would be just mean.
After 3 days, take a frozen pea (not a fresh pea, it could have pesticides on it) and thaw it out. Pinch off the pea skin and chop up ONLY a quarter of the pea in tiny pieces and feed the fish. Its good for him and he will love it. This will make him poop and no longer be constipated.


How do I know this? Well, I am no pet expert but I used Google and looked up his symptoms and how to fix his problem. and it worked.

Duncan is fine today, back to his old self and still throwing his rocks and begging for food. I only feed him pellet food and I may just have take him with me on my next vacation.

His fish cave shown in the photo was purchased at WhiteCitrus and she has alot of other cool ceramics. Duncan stays in his all the time. When I clean his bowl, I have to make sure I place it back in the same position or we will have another problem. He will pout. Hes a hand full I tell ya.

Ive shared this at:
thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop at katherinescorner
weekend-bloggy-reading-link-up at serenitynowblog

Zig Zag Cowl

Finally got around to making "Me" something. I made a zig zag cowl neck warmer and im excited about it. I wonder if it will get cool enough around here in North Carolina to ever get to wear it?


I have been practicing making some zig zag, rippled or chevron crochet (psst, check out the chevron mug cozy in my shop ← (I actually created the pattern for this cozy myself).
In the process of learning, I created this cowl neck warmer. I love the colors.  I think I will make a matching hat and then Ill be set.

You can find the free pattern for this cowl here.
If you want the pattern for the cozy, leave your email in comments or something and Ill be glad to send it to you.

It took me a couple hours on and off for about three days to make it. It did not turn out as pretty as the one that inspired me. I have always struggled making zig zag stitches as well as granny squares, but that's another post, another day.

This pattern was pretty easy, however, as I was on the last row, I realized I was doing all wrong. Silly me was using half double crochet instead of double crochet. No idea what I was thinking. It caused the cowl to be little wonky but it will work for me.


I plan to make a couple more of these lovely scarves "the right way". I think I may have the hang of it now but didn't realize all the different ways you can create a stitch like this.  geez!


I think it goes with one of my new sweaters....ok, in an odd way. What do you think?


Ive shared this at:
city-of-links at cityofcreativedreams
thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop at katherinescorner
dare-to-share at pamspartyandpracticaltips
snickerdoodle-sunday 2crochethooks
inspire-me-monday at create-with-joy.com
Amaze-Me-Monday at dwellings-theheartofyourhome