Swim Bladder Disorder

Swim Bladder Disorder refers to issues affecting the swim bladder, rather than a single disease. Although most commonly seen in Goldfish and Bettas, it can strike virtually any species of fish. In this disorder, the swim bladder does not function normally due to disease, physical defects, or mechanical / environmental factors. Affected fish will exhibit problems with buoyancy. Interestingly enough, not all fish possess a swim bladder, most notably sharks and rays.

• Fish sinks to the bottom, struggles to rise up
  
• Fish floats to the top, often upside-down
  
• Swims with tail higher than head (Note: this is normal in headstanders)
  
• Swollen belly
  
• Fish may have curved spine
  

Fish suffering from Swim Bladder Disorder exhibit a variety of symptoms that primarily involve buoyancy, including: floating upside down, sinking to the bottom of the tank, standing on their head, or struggling to maintain a normal upright position.

Other physical signs such as a distended belly or curved back may also be present. Affected fish may eat normally, or have no appetite at all. If severe buoyancy problems exist, the fish may not be able feed normally or even reach the surface of the water.

• Compression from surrounding organs, such as:
  Enlarged stomach from overeating, or gulping too much air
  Enlarged intestine, due to constipation
  Enlarged liver, generally due to fatty deposits
  Enlarged kidney, generally due to cysts
  Egg impaction in females
  
• Bacterial or parasitic infection
  
• Mechanical injury from fall or other hard blow
  
• Birth defect
  

Swim Bladder Disorder is usually caused by compression of the swim bladder. The most common cause of swim bladder compression is a distended stomach from rapidly eating, overeating or gulping air. Eating freeze-dried or dry flake food that expands when it becomes wet often leads to an enlarged stomach or intestine. Low water temperature can slow the digestive process, which in turn can result in an enlarged intestine. The result is pressure on the swim bladder, and potentially Swim Bladder Disorder.

Less common causes of compression on the swim bladder are other organs becoming enlarged. Cysts in the kidneys, fatty deposits in the liver, or egg binding in female fish can result in sufficient enlargement to affect the swim bladder.

Parasites or bacterial infections can inflame the swim bladder, which can cause Swim Bladder Disorder. Occasionally a hard blow from striking an object in the tank, a fight or fall can damage the swim bladder, causing problems that may be permanent. Rarely fish are born with birth defects that affect the swim bladder. In these cases symptoms are present from an early age.

• Do not feed for 3 days, then feed skinned peas
  
• Increase water temp to 80
  
• Lower the water level to make it easier to reach the surface
  
• Hand feed during treatment, if needed
  
• Use broad spectrum antibiotic if indicated

Because an enlarged stomach or intestine is the most common case of Swim Bladder Disorder, the first course of action is to not feed the fish for three days. At the same time increase the water temperature to 80 F and leave it there during the course of treatment. On the fourth day, feed the fish cooked and skinned peas. Frozen peas are ideal for this, as they can be microwaved or boiled for a few seconds to thaw them, resulting in the proper consistency (not too soft but not too firm). Remove the skin, and then serve the pea to the fish. This course of action resolves many cases of Swim Bladder Disorder.

While treating the fish, it often helps to reduce the water level to make it easier for the fish to move around within the tank. In tanks with a strong water current, it will help to reduce water flow while treating the fish. If the affected fish floats with part of its body constantly exposed to the air, applying a bit of stress coat to the exposed area will help avoid development of sores. Hand feeding may be necessary if he fish has significant issues with movement.

If fasting and feeding peas does not relieve the problem, and the fish is having normal bowel movements, the problem is probably not due to an enlarged stomach or constipation. The fish may exhibit signs of infection such as clamped fins, shaking, and lack of appetite. Treatment with a broad-spectrum antibiotic may help in these cases.

When it is suspected the fish has Swim Bladder Disorder due to a fall or injury, time is the only treatment. Keep the water clean and between 78-80 degrees and add a small amount of aquarium salt to the tank. If the fish does not recover and is unable to eat, the humane resolution may be euthanasia.

• Maintain good water quality
  
• Keep water temperature at 78 or above
  
• Soak dried foods before feeding
  
• Thaw frozen foods before feeding
  
• Avoid overfeeding, feed only small portions

Growing evidence indicates elevated nitrates may have a part in Swim Bladder Disorder. It is well known that poor water conditions cause fish to be more susceptible to infections. Keeping the tank clean and performing regular water changes will go a long ways towards preventing Swim Bladder Disorder. Keeping the water temperature a bit higher will help digestion, and possibly avoid constipation, another major cause of swim bladder problems.

Using high quality foods will help, and soaking dried foods for a few minutes before feeding will help prevent constipation. Always thaw frozen foods thoroughly before feeding. For fish that frequently gulp air when feeding at the surface, try switching to sinking foods. For all fish that have had Swim Bladder Disorder, it is wise to cut back on overall feeding. Feed smaller portions, so they can’t overeat.