How to treat a Swim Bladder Infection in aquarium fish
What does it look like?
- Swollen or distended abdomen
What are the fish doing?
- Laboured Swimming
- Listing, leaning, swimming on side or back
- Not eating
- Unable to swim upright, sinks to bottom or floats to top, unable to maintain bouyancy
What should I do?
- Treat with Swimbladder Treatment to attack any bacterial infection
- Support the fish's immune system using Aquilibrium First Aid Salt
Why does this happen and how do I prevent it?
The Swimbladder is the part of the fish’s body that helps to keep its balance and stay afloat. Some fish are born with a susceptibility to swimbladder issues including “fancy” varieties of Goldfish such as moors, veil tails and orandas. Swimbladder infections can also be caused by bacteria which is the cause targeted by Swimbladder treatments. This issue can also be worsened by fish stress, so helping to support the fish’s immune system will benefit their recovery.
Key areas to consider to aid the immune system of your fish and reduce stress include:
- regularly testing your water for ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and pH and reacting accordingly
- complete regular tank maintenance to ensure a clean and healthy tank
- ensuring your aquarium is in a good position, away from natural light and lots of movement
What treatment should I use?
Swimbladder Treatment
Bacterial infection of the swim bladder causes fish to lose control of their buoyancy which results in severe stress and untimely death.
Find out more >Use with any of the above
Aqualibrium First Aid Salt Additive
Aqualibrium first aid salt is a unique physiological salt formula which helps freshwater fish maintain a constant internal salt/fluid balance.
Find out more >Not what you are looking for? Back to Diagnose What's Wrong >
Visit the Interpet Aquatics website
Treatment dosage Calculator
Testing your aquarium water
Doing a water change
