Fish With Buoyancy Problem.

[Aqua Andy]

Hi,

I have a flame Tetra that I'm pretty sure has a buoyancy problem. If it stops swimming it sinks and it's swimming is very laboured. It has been like this for a couple of months. I originally had six Flame Tetra and this is the sole survivor. I think they contracted a condition that affected some of the the fish's swim bladder's as some of the other fish behaved the same way before dying?

Is there anything that I can do to help the little guy? Is this definitely a permanent condition. He as well as the rest of the fish are fed a varied diet.

I know this may sound harsh but I like to watch my tank to relax and it is not pleasant to watch him struggle.


Andy

 

[Suz]

thats a shame, my guppies had a problem with boyancy when they got whitespot which progressed into fin rot and they could bearly stay the right way up very sad to see!
hope its ok!

 

[Aqua Andy]

It could have been caused by whitespot although the surviving fish was the only one I noticed any signs of it on.

Is the fish likely to always have this problem?

Is there anything I can do to try to help it?

PS I've tried feeding peas and due to the duration of the condition I don't think it's constipation.


Andy

 

[Suz]

When I first spotted the whitespot on my guppies I got whitespot water treatment, but I think they were too far gone to be saved and the treatment didnt help them at all unfortunatly.

i really dont have enough experiance to answer your other questions sorry - hopefully someone else will be able to give you more advise!

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

If the fish keep on having swimbladder issues treat your tank with some anti bacterial meds as long as your water quality is fine(ammonia, nitrites and nitrates).

 

[Aqua Andy]

My NitrAtes are pretty high (around 40ppm I think the test kit is pretty difficult to read) due to the NitrAte levels directly from my tap water being that high. I'm going to try Nitrasafe to try to reduce them. Could that cause a buoyancy problem?

Could he of had a bacterial infection for all this time?


Andy