Betta Swim Bladder Disease Treatment

Betta swim bladder disorder is a non-contagious affliction that prevents the fish from being able to swim and move properly. There are treatments available to make the fish more comfortable while it heals.

  1. Symptoms

    • Swim bladder disorder is usually very easy to diagnose. The fish will swim at an odd angle, and is usually unable to rise from the bottom of the tank or will have trouble descending.

    Causes

    • Overfeeding, physical stress, constipation, bacterial infections and genetics will cause swim bladder disorder in bettas.

    Treatment

    • Feeding the fish thawed, frozen peas can help to alleviate swim bladder disorder. The addition of salt in the tank water will help. Medications are available to treat the disorder as well.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Presoaking all foods before feeding a betta will allow it to expand before the fish ingests it. Excellent water quality is also a key in preventing swim bladder illness. Feeding less brine shrimp is also recommended to prevent and treat this disorder.

    Important Miscellaneous Information

    • Though swim bladder disorder is not a deadly illness, sometimes another illness is mistaken for it. Dropsy is a very common and deadly betta illness. The body of the fish becomes bloated, and the scales stick out like a pine cone. This affliction is highly contagious, incurable and nearly always deadly.

    In Print Resource/Reference