Swimbladder

Hi guys,

I have a rather "novice" question to ask...

I might be over-analysing my fishes, or seeing things that aren't really there... it appears to me as if my Black widow Tetras and my Pristella tetras like to swim in a straight horizonal line, but at a 30 to 40 degree angle. As far as my reading has shown, this could be swim bladder.

What is swim bladder?
Is it a birth defect, or can it be "contracted" as any other illness?
Is there a remedy for it?

I'm not even sure if my fish have this desease, as I said, I might just be reading too much and seeing things, but it would be good to know if I can isolate it properly.

Ash

 

have a look here, it might help you identify swim bladder disorders
http://www.fishyfarmacy.com/fish_diseases/swim_bladder.html

 

Is anyone else having problems getting onto fishyfarmacy??? I've battled (and failed) for almost 2 weeks now Sorry Dolphin, I can't open that link - it would have been awesome to read

 

veegal it opens fine on my side... maybe clear your browser history and cookies and try again - i'm not an expert on such things, sorry.

I've tried to copy and paste the chart here but its not all nicely aligned...


Swim Bladder Disorders

Whenever you suspect a swim bladder problem, do not poke the fish with a pin or needle!


Symptoms Cause Treatment and Links



A). The fish whirl or wobble around the aquariumThis is a gram-positive bacterial infection of the swim bladder known as: Whirling diseaseTreat with TMP Sulfa -or- Erythromycin



B). The swim bladder contains purulent fluid. Large numbers of bacteria are found in the fluid and the wallThis involves a bacterial infection usually as a result of an inflammationTreat with Quinine Sulfate.



C). The wall of the swim bladder is hardenedThe Swim bladder is hardenedRaise the temperature in the tank by 3 to 5 degrees for five days.



D). Round cysts of various sizes occur in the wall of the swim bladderThe fish are affected with the sporozoan EimeriaTry: Furazolidone Powder -or- Quinine Sulfate.



E). Large inclusions occur in the wall of the swim bladderThe fish is affected with MicrosporaNo suitable treatment known.



F). The anterior part of the air bladder, the part towards the abdomen, is inflamed. These fish were standing on their heads, or laying flat on the bottomA bacterial infection is the causeTreat with: TMP Sulfa -or- Sulfa 4 TMP.

 

Thanks Dolphin.

 

OK... stupid question?

Where is the swim bladder located on a fish so I can see if my fish are suffering from swim bladder infection?

Ash

 

Hi Zoom - possibly not swimbladder, a lot of fish - just like helicopters - need a bit of forward tilt to get a good turn of speed. If you watch Angelfish they will sometimes go sideways (especially when defending territory) just to get a bit more speed - and to look more menacing.. The swimbladder is round about where you would expect the lungs to be. BUT all depends on the species of fish.