You know what a mixture of nightmare and surprise is when you start seeing your guppy fish doing things that are completely out of their nature. While some of them are endearing and actually normal, others are downright worrying and are a sign of something being wrong with your fish. One such behavior is when your guppy fish start swimming vertically, almost like doing the backstroke in an upright position. Do you have a guppy fish that swims vertically? If so, don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many guppy fish owners have noticed this behavior in their aquariums. So, why do guppy fish swim vertically?
Guppy fish swim vertically when there is something wrong with their swim bladder. There are several possible causes for swim bladder disease in guppy fish, including overeating, overfeeding, parasitic and bacterial infections, injuries, environmental changes, and genetic deformities.
In this blog post, we will explore the possible causes of why guppy fish swim vertically and how to correct them.
Is It Normal For Guppy Fish To Swim Vertically?
No, it is not normal for guppy fish to swim vertically. Swim bladder disease is the most common cause of vertical swimming in guppy fish.
The swim bladder is a sac-like organ that helps fish float and moves up and down in the water. In guppy fish, the swim bladder is located just behind the gut.
Swim bladder disease can be caused by several factors, including overeating, parasitic and bacterial infections, injuries, environmental changes, and genetic deformities.
Overeating is the most common cause of swim bladder disease in guppy fish. When the guppy fish eats too much, the swim bladder becomes bloated and cannot function properly. This can lead to vertical swimming.
Swim bladder disease can be difficult to treat, but there are a few things you can do to help your fish recover. But the bottom line is guppy swimming erratically, vertically, in circles, etc., is not normal.
Why Do Guppy Fish Swim Vertically?
Many people choose to keep guppy as their pets because they are relatively easy to care for. However, some guppy fish owners may notice their fish swimming vertically or upside down.
This is concerning, but it is usually not a cause for alarm. There is a possible explanation for why this might happen.
Now, the mere possibility is that the fish is overeating and has a swim bladder disorder. This condition is caused by an imbalance of gas in the intestines, which eating too much or too fast causes. Hence, if the fish is overweight, it may also have trouble swimming properly.
The swim bladder is an internal organ that helps fish maintain buoyancy. When the swim bladder is diseased, it can cause the fish to lose control of its buoyancy, which causes them to float or sink. In some cases, the fish may even be stuck in one position and unable to move.
If you notice that your guppy fish is swimming vertically, it is important to observe them closely. And, most importantly, if they have trouble swimming or appear in pain, it is best to consult a veterinarian.
While it might look comical at first, it can get quite worrisome for you as their owner when your guppy fish swim upside down or vertically. After all, this isn’t their natural state, and it can often signify something more serious going on.
What Causes Swim Bladder Disorder In Guppy Fish?
Swim bladder disorder is a common problem in guppy fish and can be caused by various factors. The swim bladder is a gas-filled sac near the fish’s spine that helps the fish to stay buoyant. If the swim bladder becomes damaged or diseased, it can cause the fish to sink or float awkwardly.
Hence, you need to understand what causes it to avoid future problems. There are many possible causes of swim bladder disorder in guppy fish. Some of the most common include:
Overfeeding
One of the most common causes of swim bladder disorder is overfeeding. If a guppy eats too much, they tend to consume more air than it can expel.
It can cause the swim bladder to become bloated and unable to function properly. This is one of guppy fish’s most common causes of a swim bladder disorder.
Parasitic and Bacterial Infections
Unsanitary conditions in the tank usually cause these infections. These infections can damage the swim bladder and cause the fish to float awkwardly.
If you think your fish may have an infection, you should take them to the vet for a check-up.
Injuries
If your fish has been injured, then this could also be causing them to swim vertically. Injuries to the fish’s body can also damage the swim bladder and cause the fish to float awkwardly.
Environmental Changes
If there have been any changes to the tank, such as a change in temperature or the addition of new plants, then this could be causing your fish to swim vertically.
Sudden changes in temperature or pH levels can also cause the swim bladder to become damaged or diseased.
Genetic Deformities
Some fish are born with deformities that can cause them to swim vertically. One common deformity is a twisted spine, which can cause the fish to float awkwardly.
This is not your fault, so don’t dishearten yourself and think you were not cut for fishkeeping. Let me tell you the solution to this simple problem.
All you have to do is find a reputable breeder and buy guppies from them. As a result, there is a very thin possibility of getting a guppy with any physical or genetic deformities.
How To Make Guppy Fish Swim Normally? Remedies To Cure Swim Bladder Disorder
I know you want to get over this and save your fish as soon as possible. However, swim bladder disorder is fatal and has the potential to kill your fish if not treated on time.
You can do a few things to make guppy fish normally swim again and cure swim bladder disorder.
Stop Feeding
One of the first things you should do is stop feeding your guppies for a day or two. This will help them digest any food that might be causing the blockage in their digestive system.
Remove Excess Food
If you have been overfeeding your guppies, there is a chance of excess food in their tank. This can lead to obesity in aquarium fish and eventually swim bladder problems. Hence, remove any uneaten food from the tank, and feed them smaller meals going forward.
Switch Off Lights And Let Them Rest
Guppies are very active fish, and they need a lot of rest. If you have been keeping them in a tank with bright lights, it can stress them out and cause swim bladder problems.
Instead, please turn off the lights in the guppy tank at night and let them rest in the dark for a few days.
Resting for a while will help them cure the swollen parts and return to their normal swimming behavior.
Eventually, the swim bladder will return to normal when you stop feeding them and let them rest for a while in the dark.
If you have been overfeeding your guppy fish, stop it immediately and remove all the excess food from the tank.
Perform Water Change
If your guppy fish swim vertically due to environmental changes, you must do a water change in the guppy aquarium. Perform a 50% water change and add fresh, clean water to the tank.
A water change will help reduce stress and remove the water’s toxins. After performing a water change, monitor your guppy fish for a few days and see if they are back to their normal swimming behavior.
Increase Temperature
If the water in your tank is too cold, it can cause swim bladder problems. Guppy fish are tropical fish, and they need warm water to live.
If the temperature in your tank is below 75 degrees Fahrenheit, increase it gradually. You can use a heater to increase the temperature of the water for guppies’ better health.
Use Aquarium Salt
One of the best treatments for swim bladder disease is to add aquarium salt to the guppy tank. This will help to reduce the inflammation and swelling of the swim bladder.
It is important only to use aquarium salt, not table salt, as this can harm your fish. You should add one tablespoon of salt per gallon of water. Be sure to remove any carbon from your filter before adding the salt.
You will need to do a weekly water change to remove the salt from the tank. After a few weeks, you should see an improvement in your fish’s swimming. If not, you may need to increase the amount of salt you use.
Feed Them Peas
If your guppy fish suffer from swim bladder disorder, you can try feeding them peas. First, boil some peas and mash them before adding them to the tank.
The fiber in the peas will help regulate their digestive system and cure swim bladder disorder. You can also give them blanched lettuce as it also contains fiber.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many possible reasons why guppy fish swim vertically. It could be due to overeating, swim bladder disease, injuries, environmental changes, or genetic deformities. The best way to treat this is to add aquarium salt to the tank and feed them peas. If you do not see an improvement in their swimming after a few weeks, you may need to increase the amount of salt or try another treatment.
If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your veterinarian. They will be able to help you find the cause and treat your fish. Thanks for reading!
We hope you enjoyed this blog post! If you have any questions or suggestions, please comment below!
Until next time, Happy Fish Keeping! 😀