Why is My Fish Floating? Understanding Swim Bladder Disease
If you've noticed that your fish is struggling to stay afloat, sinking or even swimming upside down, it might be suffering from swim bladder disorder. This condition is one of the most common health issues affecting aquarium fish, but it's often treatable and even preventable with proper care.
Thankfully, our expert team here at Pond Planet knows all there is to know about swim bladder disease, so read on to discover more about the disorder and how to treat and prevent it so you can keep your fish happy and healthy.
Contents
What causes swim bladder disorder?
What are the symptoms of swim bladder disease?
How to treat swim bladder disorder
How should you spot and treat an infection?
How can you prevent swim bladder disorder?
What is swim bladder disease?
The disorder afflicts the swim bladder, an internal organ filled with gas that allows the fish to control its buoyancy without expending additional energy.
When this organ malfunctions, fish may struggle to maintain their balance, causing them to float to the top, sink to the bottom, or swim in unusual positions, such as upside down.
Swim bladder disorder commonly affects aquarium fish, notably goldfish, and can occur due to various issues.
What causes swim bladder disorder?
There are numerous causes of swim bladder disorder:
| Overfeeding | The most common factor is attributed to constipation through the fish over-eating or eating too quickly. |
| Poor-quality food | Poor-quality, air-filled fish food can lead to bloating, which puts pressure on the swim bladder. The fish over-oxygenating and gulping air too fast is also a factor. |
| Cold water temperatures | The fish's metabolism slows down during the colder months, which can contribute to bloating and constipation. |
| Infection | Parasites or bacterial infections can inflame the swim bladder. |
| Cysts | The development of cysts in the fish’s kidneys. |
What are the symptoms of swim bladder disease?
Signs that your fish is suffering from swim bladder disease include:
- Floating or sinking
- Swimming upside down or sideways
- A loss of appetite
- Distended stomach
- Curved spine
Floating or sinking
A fish with a deflated swim bladder might sink, while one that has ingested too much air may float uncontrollably at the surface.
Fish swimming upside down or sideways
Fish that can’t maintain buoyancy might flip to the side or swim upside down. You might see them using excessive fin movement to try and get themselves upright.
A loss of appetite
Some fish with severe swim bladder issues struggle to eat due to discomfort or difficulty in reaching food at the surface or bottom.
Distended stomach
A swollen stomach shows bloating or internal pressure affecting the swim bladder. This can result from constipation, infection, or organ compression.
Curved spine
If the swim bladder or other internal organs are swollen, the fish's body may become arched or curved due to the pressure.
How to treat swim bladder disorder
The good news is that swim bladder disorder is often treatable with a few simple steps. Our expert team here at Pond Planet have compiled a concise list of instructions to help you out:
- Stop feeding your fish for 3 days; this allows time for whatever is in the fish’s system to pass.
- Simultaneously, increase the tank’s temperature to around 27℃ (80℉), even adding a small amount of aquarium salt. Fish struggle to digest in colder water, so warmer temperatures will aid in faster digestion.
- Following the 3-day fast, feed your fish skinned and cooked peas. You can use frozen peas; just be sure to microwave or boil them to soften them first. Once ingested, the pea will help clear the fish’s digestive system.
- Temporarily reduce the volume of water in the tank or aquarium. This will make it easier for the fish to move around the tank, saving energy levels and reducing their struggles.
How should you spot and treat an infection?
In cases in which an infection is the cause of swim bladder disease, you will need to take different measures to ensure your fish returns to full health.
Signs that your fish is suffering from infection include a loss of appetite, shaking and the clamping of fins, and the signs of swim bladder disorder.
You can treat an infection by thoroughly cleaning and treating the water of your tank or aquarium to rid the fish’s environment of any harmful bacteria that may be the cause. Should the problems persist, you can purchase special antibiotics from most pet stores that can be ingested or dropped into the water to treat fish.
How can you prevent swim bladder disorder?
There are various simple steps you can take to prevent the occurrence of swim bladder disorder in your fish:
- Invest in a good quality brand of fish food. Cheaper feeds are likely to be filled with air, which can add to the risk of swim bladder disorder and a general lack of vital nutrients.
- Soak the fish food before feeding; this results in the feed sinking to the bottom of the tank and prevents fish from ingesting more air while feeding at the surface, a common factor in causing swim bladder disease.
- Avoid overfeeding, monitor your fish’s food intake and only feed them what they need; this lessens the risk of constipation.
- Keep your tank or aquarium clean; this prevents the build-up of harmful bacteria and parasites that may lead to an infection. As well as the regular cleaning of the tank, invest in a quality aquarium filter and use an aquarium test kit to ensure safe pH, ammonia and nitrate levels.
- Keep the water temperate warm; around 21℃ (70℉) is fine for most aquarium fish and helps with mobility and digestion.
Shop everything you need for your aquarium at Pond Planet
Swim bladder disorder is common but manageable. If your fish is floating, swimming upside down, or having trouble staying balanced, don’t panic. By identifying the cause and following the right treatment steps, you can help your fish recover.
To prevent future issues, focus on feeding your fish high-quality food, maintaining clean water with treatments, and regulating tank conditions. With the right care, your fish can stay healthy and thrive for years to come.
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