I have two pink minnows.Yesterday, I noticed that one of them will only stay at the bottom of the tank and earlier today I found that same one stuck in the real plants that are in the tank. And my other one floats to the top of the tank, probably gasping for air because I feed them reguarly. And sometimes he floats on his side while trying to breathe. I just recently had a fish that I believe had swim bladder disease. Is this swim bladder diesease? and if it is, is there a cure or something that I could do to help?
2007-01-13 05:19:12 · 5 answers · asked by ♥Sammie♥ 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
Yes, you are correct that your fish are probably having trouble with their swim bladders. It's easily curable, and if the proper steps are taken, a fish will almost always pull through.
Swim bladders are the organ most fish have that controls how it floats and sinks in the water. Problems with a swim bladder usually arise from a fish being overfed. Since fish don't have a sense of feeling 'full', they will eat as long as you keep feeding. It's very easy for them to become engorged.
Fast your minnows for a few days. Don't feed them at all (and don't worry, they won't starve). If several days go by and they're still floating or sinking abnormally, feed them each a little bit of cooked, peeled pea. Peas are a natural fish laxative. Continue this process until the situation improves.
I don't usually recommend epsom salt baths unless it's a very desperate situation where a fish has been constipated or having swim bladder problems for several weeks or more. The bath itself is extremely stressful for fish, and it's possible for the stress of the experience to result in the death of an elderly fish (I learned this the hard way).
It's extremely easy to overfed a fish because they will hardly ever deny food unless they're ill. In the future, cut down on your feedings to a teeny tiny pinch of flakes or about 3 pellets each for both your minnows once a day. Also, fasting them for one day once a week will help keep their systems moving and will prevent constipation and swim bladder disorders.
2007-01-13 07:12:34 · answer #1 · answered by bettalover 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without knowing anything about the tank, its pretty hard to say whats wrong. You should have at least 1 gallon of water per inch of fish. Assuming these fish are one inch fish, you should have them in no less than a 2 gallon tank. Have you tested the water? You can take a sample into an aquarium shop and have it tested for little or charge. It really sounds more like bad water levels than swim bladder to me. If you are a beginner, I recommend getting a book that explains all about setting up an aquarium.
Good Luck
2007-01-13 05:41:04 · answer #2 · answered by Fish Lover 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
First of all Swim bladder is NOT a disease! It happens when you overfeed and the stomach blows up to accomodate the extra food. This presses against the swim bladder causing it to either rupture or just get messed up. I would reccamend not feeding him for 3 days and see if the food in his stomach goes away. If not feed it frozen peas without the skin. If that doesn't work, "soak" him in Epsom salt for 5 minutes. Both the peas and the salt act as laxatives. I hope this helps!!!!
2007-01-13 05:45:46 · answer #3 · answered by Ford Man 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It sure sounds like it. Feed them a peeled frozen pea. I did that when my Black Moore had it and it cleared it up after a few servings.
2007-01-13 05:23:36 · answer #4 · answered by The Anti-Pink 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If a fish has swim bladder disease,then there is nothing anybody can do.It is a terminal illness for fish.
2007-01-13 05:22:22 · answer #5 · answered by Jo 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋