Swim Bladder Disorder in Bettas

A swim bladder, sometimes referred to as a gas bladder or air bladder, is an adjustable gas-filled organ that provides fish the ability to control its buoyancy. Bettas experiencing a disorder of the swim bladder will experience difficulty swimming.

  1. Function

    • The swim bladder responds to the change in pressure, and will expand and contract as a fish swims upward and downward. When a fish wants to rise to the surface, the bladder will fill with gas, making it more buoyant; and when it wants to dive, it will contract, making it less buoyant.

    The Facts

    • Swim bladder disorder is not contagious. It is particularly common in very young bettas and is the result of constipation from overfeeding.

    Identification

    • The common indication of swim bladder infection is the betta will have difficulty swimming. In bettas, the swim bladder is stationed next to the spine between the tail and abdomen. Constipation in fish causes the digestive tract to swell, which applies pressure on the swim bladder.

    Warning

    • Care for your betta that is experiencing swim bladder disorder by placing it in a wide and shallow tank instead of a tall one. The simple task of swimming to eat or breathing might exhaust the betta, which makes it vulnerable to other problems and infections.

    Prevention/Solution

    • The first step to recovery is to feed the betta less. The betta might recover on its own in time. When feeding your betta, keep in mind the size of a betta's stomach is smaller than its eye. Keep your betta's water clean and warm, and instead of feeding your betta all at once, break up the feedings into small amounts twice a day.