Do you ever wonder how fish in the tank stay afloat and swim around perfectly without sinking? Yes? Then let me tell you. The fish can do that because of an air-filled organ called swim bladders. It basically works as a swimming tube for the fish. So maybe that’s where the idea of a swimming tube came in the first place!
But what happens if the swimming bladder stops functioning? When swim bladders are damaged or diseases, it becomes difficult for your fish to stay buoyant. It is called swim bladder disorder. So, what is swim bladder disorder in swordtail fish?
The swim bladder issue in swordtail fish is a syndrome that causes the fish’s abdomen to enlarge and makes swimming difficult. The condition is caused by a build-up of carbon dioxide inside the fish’s body due to incorrect gas exchange.
It’s also possible that an illness or an injury causes it, but this isn’t as common. For example, swim bladder dysfunction in swordtail fish manifests itself in various ways, including lethargy, loss of appetite, and respiratory discomfort.
This page will go through every aspect of this condition’s therapy! Keep reading!
What Is Swim Bladder Disorder In Swordtail Fish?
The swim bladder of a swordtail fish helps it stay afloat in water. In fish, it’s an air-filled organ or sac that keeps them afloat. Your swordtail fish will get swim bladder disorder if this bladder becomes infected or injured.
Swim bladder problem occurs when the swim bladder does not function properly due to disease, physical anomalies, mechanical, or environmental factors. As a result, the sacs may not hold enough air to keep your swordtail aloft under such conditions, disrupting its swimming.
Any fish suffering from this condition will have trouble controlling their abilities to float or sink.
Symptoms Of Swim Bladder Disorder In Swordtail Fish
Fish with swim bladder problems show various buoyancy-related symptoms, such as sinking to the bottom or floating to the top, floating upside down or on the sides, or being unable to swim correctly.
Some other symptoms are:
- The fish may frequently jump out of the tank.
- Swim bladder dysfunction leads the fish to swim in an irregular rhythm, dipping down and swimming up repeatedly as if trying to find their way back to the surface. They will also attempt to float above the water.
- When the fish is in the water, bubbles form at the anus and float upwards.
- Because there is less mass in the body due to the loss of gas in the swim bladder, it floats easily.
- Fish will float, their eyes protruding from their sides or backs. However, they may also have difficulties swimming and likely won’t swim at all due to the disorder’s reduced motility.
- Swimming becomes exhausting. To avoid sinking, the fish must continue to swim.
- Temperature changes aggravate the symptoms, as do feeding at irregular intervals.
- Fish appear to be sluggish or swim backward.
Causes of Swim Bladder Disorder In Swordtail Fish
Compression of the swim bladder can induce this disease, including a bloated stomach from fast eating, overeating, constipation, or gulping air, which is hypothesized to happen with floating foods. An enlarged stomach or digestive system can also result from eating freeze-dried or dry flake food that expands when moistened.
Some other causes are:
Low Water Temperature
Swordtail fish are tropical fish and cannot live in cold water. The digestion process can be slowed by cold water, leading to gastrointestinal tract swelling and pressure on the swim bladder.
Cysts In Other Organs
Other abdominal organs may expand, causing the swim bladder to malfunction in your swordtails. For example, kidney cysts, fatty liver deposits, and egg binding in female fish can cause enough enlargement to damage the swim bladder.
Infections
Parasites or bacterial diseases can also cause inflammation of the swim bladder. In addition, the swim bladder can be damaged by a forceful blow from striking an object in the tank, a battle, or a fall.
Unhealthy Eating Habits
Underfeeding or overfeeding aquarium fish causes swim bladder conditions in swordtail fish. If they are fed too much, they will gain weight, and their swim bladders will stop working correctly.
Too little food, on the other hand, can cause this disorder because the swordtail fishes’ bodies will be underweight, and their swim bladders will not function properly.
Injury To The Spinal Cord
A swordtail fish’s spinal cord damage could cause this disorder since their bodies won’t operate properly and get enough oxygenated blood to use their respiratory system.
How To Treat Swim Bladder Disorder In Swordtail Fish?
If a swim bladder disease is suspected to be caused by an expanded stomach or intestine, the first step is to stop feeding the fish for three days. Then, increase the water temperature to 78-80 degrees Fahrenheit at the same time and keep it there during the treatment.
Pea Treatment
Feed the fish a cooked, peeled pea on the fourth day. Frozen peas are great for this since you can thaw them in the microwave or boil for a few seconds, resulting in the desired consistency (not too soft but not too firm). Remove the skin from the pea before serving it to the fish. You can give a pea a day for a few days and then transition to a species-appropriate meal, but stay away from floating flakes or pellets.
If you think an infection is a cause, treatment with medications and consultation from the vet is a must.
Some additional treatment methods are:
- Keeping the water clean and between 78 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit is essential.
- Add a modest amount of aquarium salt to the tank.
- Reduce the water level in the tank to make it easier for the fish to move around.
- Reduce water flow in tanks with a strong current.
- If the affected fish swims with a section of its body exposed to the air all of the time, a small amount of stress coat applied to the exposed area may help prevent the formation of sores.
- If the fish has substantial mobility problems, hand feeding may be essential.
- Many cases of swim bladder conditions, unfortunately, do not respond to treatment. Therefore, if the fish does not recover in a fair amount of time, euthanasia may be the only humane option.
In this way, you might be able to treat swim bladder disorder in swordtail fish.
Prevention Of Swim Bladder Disorder In Swordtail Fish
Yes, you can keep swordtail fish from developing swim bladder disease. There are several things you can do to reduce the chances of your fish developing a swim bladder problem, including:
- Once a day, feed them peas
- If possible, filter tap water before using it in your aquarium or filtration system.
- Provide a high-quality feed for your fish.
- Maintain ideal water temps.
- Maintain your tank and filtration system regularly.
These are some of the ways through which you can prevent swim bladder disorder in a swordtail fish.
Is It Possible To Cure Swim Bladder Disorder In Swordtail Fish?
No, there is currently no cure. However, if you recognize it early enough, you can treat your fish, and it should recover successfully.
After you’ve determined which type of bacteria is causing your condition, you’ll need to figure out which prescription will work best for you.
A swim bladder condition does not have an identifiable treatment; however, you can manage or prevent it. Adding peas and Epsom salt to the tank’s water can help with this problem at home (via a dechlorinated container).
These substances give bacteria-fighting enzymes by adding various dietary sources. You may warrant euthanasia if the situation is no longer manageable.
FAQs
What Are the Benefits of Peas for Swim Bladder Disorder?
Peas aid with swim bladder condition since they are high in gas. Others claim it’s because the pea’s shape provides more friction, which helps push out any air bubbles and lower pressure, which could be bothering your fish.
Peas and Epsom salt can aid with this disorder since they contain bacteria-fighting enzymes.
Conclusion
Finally, swim bladder disorder is a condition that you can manage but not cure. If you leave the swim bladder disorder untreated, you may require euthanasia to alleviate your fish’s symptoms. This illness is more likely to affect swordtail fish, but it can affect any freshwater tank.
Giving peas to swordtail fish is the most effective technique to treat swim bladder disease. You can do this by giving them peas or pea soup, which will help them recover rapidly from their illness.