Fantail fish problem?

Question

My one fantail has begun swimming upside down for part of the time, with a belly that's very
bloated. I've tried the pea story since I thought the housesitter from us going away for a few days had probably overfed him, but the fish won't even touch it. I can't get Epson salts until tomorrow morning. I've split him from the rest of the fish into a quarantine tank, but am clueless as to what else to try? Have checked the water, pH is fine, all levels are right, has all the right goodies in it for chlorine etc, but what else could this be and what can I do to save this fish?

Thanks Magicman, I'm going to do that first thing (that's in a few hours from now). I even tried feeding it bits of the pea by hand and it just wasn't interested.

Not sure what did it but when I went down to check on him before going out to get meds, there he was right as rain.

Answer 1

This sounds like a rather advanced swim bladder infection. Peas are good for treating constipation, as is Epsom salts, but not for an infection. Once it's to the point that the fish can't turn up right to eat or won't eat odds of saving the fish are slim. If I were you I would try treating with an antibiotic in the seperate tank you have the fish in. My first choice for antibiotics to treat a swim bladder infection is Furanance, second would be Maracyn TC.

If the fish will not eat at all in the next 24 hours I would suggest you start treatment.

MM