Keeping fish in an aquarium is a hobby and a pleasure. I have been keeping fish in an aquarium for a long time. As a long-time aquarium fish keeper, I am familiar with the various diseases and problems that fish may encounter and know how to take measures to keep them healthy.
One of the many diseases that fish suffer from is swim bladder disease. I am providing guidelines on how to treat swim bladder disease based on my long-term experience, which will be helpful for both new and experienced fish keepers alike.
What is Swim Bladder Disease?
The swim bladder is a pneumatic internal organ in the fish’s body that helps the fish float and move easily in the water. When fish have trouble controlling their swim bladder, it is commonly called swim bladder disease. A problem with this organ impairs the fish’s swimming ability and makes it difficult to maintain balance.
Remember that swim bladder disease is not a specific disease but a syndrome. It is only a symptom of other diseases.
Symptoms of Swim Bladder Disease in Fish
- Sinking: Fish with swim bladder disease spend most of their time lying at the bottom of the tank and trying to swim to the surface. If the bladder distends while swimming, the fish will sink back into the tank.
- Surface Location: Fish spend most of their time at the surface and may potentially flip.
- Abdominal Enlargement: Fish swim with a bloated belly due to bladder contraction. This disrupts their digestive system, causing bloating and preventing normal movement.
- Crooked Back: Fish cannot stay upright and always swim sideways or lean. This can cause the spine to curve as the fish’s limbs are pushed to one side.
- Reluctance to Feed: Affected fish cannot eat normally or lose their appetite. If the condition is severe, the fish may not feed at all or may not reach the surface of the water.
- Head Tilted Up or Down: The fish’s head may be tilted either upwards or downwards, and they cannot keep themselves upright despite their best efforts.
- Buoyancy problems: They develop buoyancy problems that affect the fish’s normal swimming ability. This can cause the fish to sink to the bottom of the tank or float to one side.
- Reduced immune system: Swim bladder disease weakens the immune system, making it more susceptible to infections from pathogens, viruses, bacteria, and other harmful agents.
Note: To properly diagnose a fish, it should be taken to an experienced veterinarian, and x-rays may be necessary.
What are the Causes of the Disease?
- Eating Dry Food: Eating too much dry food causes it to expand by absorbing moisture in the stomach. This can lead to swim bladder problems, digestive issues, and other complications.
- Enlargement of Organs: Sometimes, other organs in the abdomen may enlarge and press against the swim bladder. Fatty deposits in the liver or oviposition in female fish can affect the bladder during swimming, causing it to enlarge.
- Water Temperature: Water temperatures that are too low or too high can slow down digestion, which may lead to an enlarged gastrointestinal tract that puts pressure on the swim bladder.
- Getting Hit: Collisions with objects in the tank, fighting, or falling can sometimes damage the swim bladder.
- Parasites: Parasites or bacterial infections can inflame the swim bladder.
- Other: Some fish are born with congenital problems that affect the swim bladder. Symptoms usually appear when they are young, although this is rare.
How to Treat Swim Bladder Disease
Maintain Water Quality
Perform a 20-25% water change and raise the temperature to 78-80°F. Maintain this temperature in the tank during treatment. Check the water’s pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels, and adjust if they are too low or too high.
Fasting
Do not feed fish for three days. On the fourth day start feeding the fish again with a small amount of high-fiber food such as cooked shelled soft peas. You can continue feeding one pea per day for several days in a row. Avoid feeding floating food, freeze-dried or dry flake food.
Use salt in the tank
Add one tablespoon of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) per 5 gallons of aquarium water. Lower the water level to facilitate fish movement.
Antibiotics
If your fish’s condition does not improve after 10-12 days of treatment, you may need antibiotics. Consult a professional fish doctor for advice, as treating with the wrong antibiotic can cause more harm than good.
Surgery
Surgery can be performed in certain cases, but this is very rare and usually unnecessary for most fish. Generally, the disease can be treated with diet control, water changes, and medication. However, if the fish’s condition does not improve and the swim bladder is permanently damaged, the specialist may consider veterinary surgery.
How to Prevent This Disease
Swim Bladder Treatment. Knowing how to prevent this disease in fish is important rather than just knowing about it. Prevention is much better than cure. When fish have a disease, there is a lot of stress on them, which creates even more stress. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the disease.
- Avoid Frozen and Dry Food: Before feeding frozen or dry food, soak it in clean water for 15-20 minutes. When the food softens, feed it to the fish in small pieces to aid digestion.
- Avoid Overfeeding: Do not overfeed the fish. Feed them twice a day—once in the morning and once in the afternoon or evening. Give only as much food as the fish can eat in 2-3 minutes. Overfeeding can cause digestive problems, leading to swim bladder issues or constipation.
- Feed Small Meals: Feed the fish in small portions to match their feeding habits. This helps them avoid overeating.
- Maintain Water Quality: Regularly check the pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels, and make adjustments if necessary. Change about 20-25% of the water weekly and regularly check the water temperature. Use test kits to monitor water quality.
- Feed High-Quality Food: Provide nutritious and easily digestible food, such as beans and vegetables, that can be easily processed by the fish. Avoid feeding stale food, as it can cause swimbladder disease and other digestive problems.
