Treatment for Swim Bladder Disorder

If your fish is suddenly having difficulty swimming, is swimming upside down or on its side, seems to be unable to dive down, or has a distended abdomen, it may be suffering from swim bladder disorder. The swim bladder is a gas-filled sac located toward the tail end of the fish which gives the fish buoyancy. If the swim bladder is compromised due to stomach distention, bacterial infection or trauma, the fish will display symptoms of swim bladder disorder.

  1. Reduce Feedings

    • Constipation and overfeeding is one of the causes of swim bladder disorder. If your fish displays symptoms soon after eating, you may be overfeeding. Reduce the amount of food per feeding. You may fast your fish for a couple of days without ill effects.

    Change Its Diet

    • Fish fed a diet of dried foods only, especially pellets, may be more susceptible to swim bladder disorder. Soak pellets prior to feeding, and introduce food with plenty of fiber such as peas, squash, zucchini, spinach, romaine lettuce and grated carrots.

    Peas

    • Feeding a cooked pea daily to a fish with swim bladder disorder is the old-school remedy for the disease, and, according to Dr. Greg Lewbart, professor of fish medicine at N.C. State College of Veterinary Medicine, it does have some merit. Peas may help break down impactions.

    Antibiotics

    • A bacterial infection may cause inflammation of the swim bladder. Test the pH, nitrates and nitrites of your tank frequently to ensure that your fish are not getting sick because of poor water quality. If dietary changes have not cured the fish's swim bladder disorder you may quarantine and treat the afflicted fish with a fish-safe antibiotic such as Tetracycline, Erythromycin or Minocycline.

    Surgery

    • According to Dr. Doug Mader of Marathon Veterinary, the most surefire cure for swim bladder disorder is a visit to a fish-knowledgeable veterinarian. However, finding a vet able and willing to work on a fish may be difficult. The vet can test the inside of the swim bladder and identify the cause of the disorder, and surgically express some of the air from the swim bladder.