If your goldfish is swimming sideways or upside down, it may have a swim bladder disorder. Goldfish have swim bladders that make them float in the water. Constipation, swelling of organs, or infection can cause the swim bladder to not function properly. Swim bubble disorder can often be treated by changing the fish's diet or cleaning the tank. Luxury goldfish experience this disorder more often than other types.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Recognizing the Cause of Disturbance
Step 1. Try to find common symptoms of swim bladder disorder
Swim bubble disorder occurs when a fish's swim bladder, which normally expands to help the fish float properly, is damaged. Symptoms are usually the same, regardless of the cause of the disorder. If you see your fish floating belly-up, don't assume it's dead; If it's still breathing, your fish may have a swim bladder disorder. Try to find some of the following symptoms:
- Your fish continues to float to the surface of the water upside down
- Your fish keeps sinking to the bottom of the aquarium
- Your fish is swimming with its tail higher than its head (note: this is normal for fish species that swim on the tail)
- Your fish belly swells
Step 2. Determine which fish are most likely to have this disorder
Goldfish, especially luxury goldfish, and betta fish are species that are prone to swim bladder disorders. This type of fish has a body that tends to be round and short, which causes their organs to be compressed. The internal organs of the fish can compress the swim bladder, making it difficult for it to function properly.
- If you keep a fancy goldfish or betta, you should watch for signs of a swim bladder disorder. The disorder can lead to death if not treated.
- Common goldfish varieties with a slightly longer body are less prone to swim bladder disorders, because the space where their internal organs are quite spacious.
Step 3. Understand the causes of swim bladder disorders
A fish's tiny swollen organs can compress the swim bladder and cause it to malfunction. The stomach, intestines and liver are organs that are prone to swelling due to the fish diet. Any of the following can cause a swim bladder disorder:
- Swallowing too much air while eating so that the stomach swells
- Consuming low-quality or air-containing feed so that the intestines are constipated
- Eating too much can cause a buildup of fat that makes the liver swell
- The growth of cysts that make the kidneys experience swelling
- Defects in internal organs
Step 4. Try to find signs of infection
Sometimes swim bladder disorder is a symptom of an infection that can't be treated by changing your fish's diet. If you think your fish has an infection, it's a good idea to treat it separately to help your fish get back to health.
- If you have an infection, in addition to the symptoms of swim bladder disorder, your fish will show symptoms of pinched fins, shaking, and a lack of appetite.
- Start by cleaning the aquarium to reduce the levels of bacteria in the water; in most cases, this will kill the bacteria causing the infection.
- If the symptoms persist, consider giving your fish a variety of antibiotics to treat the infection. You can get antibiotics in the form of drops or fish feed containing the drug at your local pet store. Make sure you follow the instructions for use so as not to give your fish too much medication.
Method 2 of 3: Swimming Bubble Disorder Treatment
Step 1. Increase the temperature of the water in the aquarium
Water that is too cold will slow down digestion and cause constipation. While treating your fish's swim bladder disorder, keep the water temperature between 21 and 26 degrees Celsius to speed up the digestion process.
Step 2. Let the fish fast for three days
Since the main cause of swim bladder disorder is diet problems, start by not feeding your fish for three days. Fish that eat too much can experience swelling of the internal organs, thus damaging the swim bladder. Let the fish digest the food that has been consumed so that the stomach, intestines and liver can return to normal size.
- Fasting for three days is not harmful to your fish. However, do not let the fish fast for more than three days.
- During the fast, observe your fish to determine whether the swim bladder disorder has healed or not. If your fish is still showing similar symptoms, continue to the next step.
Step 3. Prepare the cooked peas for your fish
Peas are dense and rich in fiber so they can relieve the problem of fish constipation. Buy a pack of frozen peas and cook them until they are soft (either in the microwave or on the stove). Put some peeled peas in the tank for your fish. Your fish should only eat one or two peas per day.
- Try not to overcook the peas; if they are too soft, the peas will crumble before your fish eat them.
- Fish often swallow too much air when eating grain feed, causing digestive problems and organ swelling. Giving the fish solid peas will solve this problem.
Step 4. Feed the fish by hand if necessary
When placed in an aquarium, the peas are dense enough to sink straight to the bottom of the tank. Fish with swim bladder disorder will have a hard time swimming to the bottom of the tank to reach the food. If necessary, hold the peas near the surface of the water until your fish are close enough to eat them.
- You can also stick peas in toothpicks and place them within reach of your fish.
- Reducing the water so that the fish can reach the peas is also quite effective.
Step 5. Observe your fish's symptoms
After a few days of eating peas only, the fish's digestion will recover and you'll see them start to swim without any problems. At that time you can return to giving regular fish feed to the fish.
If symptoms persist, your fish may have an untreated problem, such as an organ defect or internal injury. Allow a few more days to see if the symptoms of swim bladder disorder resolve. If your fish can't swim and eat normally again, death may be the most humane solution
Method 3 of 3: Swimming Bubble Disorder Prevention
Step 1. Soak the feed before feeding
Fish feed in the form of chips generally float on the surface of the water, so fish also swallow air when swallowing it. This can cause the fish's organs to swell, which leads to swim bladder disorders. Try soaking the fish feed first so that the feed sinks immediately, and the fish can eat it without swallowing air.
- You can also buy fish feed that can sink directly to the bottom of the aquarium without soaking it first.
- If you feed fish that are not in chips or pellets, make sure that the feed is nutrient-dense and softened before feeding it to the fish.
Step 2. Don't overfeed
Fish that eat too much will experience constipation, which can cause swelling of the intestines and stomach, as well as swim bladder problems. Fish only need one small meal a day. Although always looking hungry, these fish only need a small amount of food to grow healthy.
Step 3. Keep the aquarium clean
A dirty aquarium is a hotbed of bacteria and parasites that will overwhelm your fish, often followed by infection. Make sure you clean the tank regularly so that your fish live in clean water instead of wallowing in waste liquid.
- Use a water quality meter to check pH, ammonia and nitrite levels. Water changes don't guarantee ideal levels, especially if you never measure the quality of your water from the start of filling the tank. Goldfish prefer water with a pH level of 7.2 – 7.6, as little ammonia as possible and nitrite levels between 0 and 0.25 ppm.
- Try adding fish salt to your freshwater aquarium. Fish salt is very good for eradicating disease and boosting the goldfish's immune system.
Step 4. Keep warm the ideal water temperature
Check the water occasionally to make sure it's around 21 degrees Fahrenheit. Goldfish do not like slightly cold water; Keeping fish in relatively low temperatures will overload the body's system and slow down digestion.
Tips
- If you regularly feed the pellets or pellets, soak the feed in a glass of aquarium water for 5-15 minutes. These feeds often retain air pockets when produced. This excess air can enter the fish's digestive system.
- Goldfish can experience this disorder due to interference from other goldfish in the same aquarium. You can try placing sick fish in a "medicine" tank to see if they can recover.
