The fish keeps floating to the top, upside-down The fish keeps sinking to the bottom of the tank The fish swims with its tail higher than its head (note: this is normal for head standing fish species) The fish has a swollen belly
If you have a fancy goldfish or a betta fish, you’ll need to monitor it carefully for signs of swim bladder disorder. Left untreated it can lead to death. Natural goldfish varieties with longer bodies are less prone to getting swim bladder disorder, since their organs are not packed tightly together.
Gulping too much air while eating, causing the stomach to become enlarged Eating low quality or air-filled food, causing constipation in the intestine Eating too much, causing fatty deposits to enlarge the liver The development of cysts in the kidney, causing it to become enlarged Deformity of an internal organ
If your fish has an infection, it will exhibit clamped fins, shaking, and lack of appetite in addition to other symptoms of swim bladder disorder. Start by cleaning the tank to reduce bacteria levels; in many cases, this will kill the bacteria causing the infection. If symptoms persist, consider treating the fish with a broad spectrum antibiotic to cure the infection. Antibiotics are available at your pet store in the form of water treatment drops or medicated fish food flakes. Be sure to follow the instructions so as not to over medicate your fish.
You can use an aquarium heating pad to heat a smaller tank. Use a probe heater for a larger tank. [5] X Expert Source Craig MortonAquarium Specialist, Aquarium Doctor Inc. Expert Interview. 21 July 2020.
Fasting for three days should not negatively affect your fish. However, do not continue the fast for more than three days. During the fast, observe your fish to see whether the swim bladder disorder seems to have gone away. If the fish is still exhibiting symptoms, move on to the next step.
Try not to overcook the peas; if they’re too mushy, they’ll fall apart before the fish can eat them. When fish eat flake food, they often gulp too much air, causing indigestion and organ enlargement. Feeding them dense peas remedies this problem.
You can also skewer a pea on a toothpick and hold it within close range of the fish. Lowering the water level so the fish can reach the peas is also effective.
If symptoms persist, the fish may have an untreatable problem, such as an organ deformity or internal damage. Give it a few more days to see if the symptoms of swim bladder disorder go away. If your fish never regains the ability to swim and eat properly, euthanasia may be the most humane solution.
You can also buy sinking fish food that automatically sinks to the bottom of the tank without needing to be soaked. If you feed the fish anything besides flakes or pellets, make sure it’s nutrient dense and fully thawed before feeding.
Use a water test kit to check pH, ammonia, and nitrite levels. Changing the water doesn’t guarantee proper levels, especially if you have never tested your water since starting your tank. Goldfish do best with a pH level of 7. 2 - 7. 6, as little ammonia as possible and a nitrate level of between 0 and . 25 ppm. Try adding aquarium salt made for freshwater tanks. Aquarium salt is good for helping to fight disease and boosts the goldfish’s immune system.
