Oliver Can't Swim Properly!

[ReiRei]

Woke up this morning to find something wrong with Oliver. He can't swim to the bottom of the tank, and if he tries he just floats back up again. Water levels tested and are fine, and the other fish in the tank are fine. Fed him a pea and he perked up immediatly, completely cured! Went back upstairs five mins ago, he's back to floating and struggling to swim around.

 

[Mamashack]

Sounds like swim bladder problem - could be constipation or could be an internal infection. Not sure what the current trend is for treating infections maybe someone else can advise.

 

[techen]

Is he slightly bloated ?

 

[ReiRei]

No, he isn't.  ):
Also, He's almost completely un-responsive. Won't come over to me like he normally does, only moves to get surface air. However if I touch the water near him, he swims away, stops somewhere, and does nothing again

 

[techen]

How long have you had him? Could just be a phase.

 

[ReiRei]

A month and a bit. Its not a phase - I'm sure of that. He's got far too much life in him.
And he's ending up sideways on the water - Something I doubt he's choosing to do

 

[betta fish]

Hi, can you post a pic? what is the temp of your water? I take it the filtration is not too strong? Is there any other fish bullying him in the tank? it does sound like a swim bladder issue or he is taking in too much air causing him to become buoyant though not sure why he is doing this, what is he usually fed? I would starve him for a day or two and then just offer him a little of a deshelled pea and see how he goes from there but do post up a pic if you can!

 

[ReiRei]

Late yesterday, I took a trip into town and bought some Interpet Bacterial Infection treatment (I would have bought swim bladder, but it was the same ingrediants anyway, so decided on BI) After giving Oliver the dose last night, he perked up within a few hours, and is back to his bubbly self this morning. I just hope it lasts ):
 
betta fish: My water temp is 80, and the filtration is fine The only other fish in the tank are platy fry, which if anything, he bullies them. He's usually fed Hikari betta pellets.
He was a bit bloated yesterday, but I dont have a picture of him then. However I do have one of him today after he's recovered (Hope its not temporary..)
 

 

[Mamashack]

Glad he's taken a turn for the better - is he swimming properly now then?
Keep giving the medication as indicated even tho he seems better he'll need the full recommended dosing (a bit like antibiotics in humans - finish the course)

 

[ReiRei]

Yup, he's swimming fine now.
I shall do Fingers crossed it doesnt come back!

 

[Mamashack]

Fingers crossed here too!

Just had a thought - how often are you doing water changes? With infections the water quality needs to be fresh and impeccable.

 

[ReiRei]

Olivers back on his side, unable to move much again. He cant even get a inch below the water.
Water changes normally are every 6 days.
 
I dont know what I should do D:
Im sure its swim bladder, he's got quite the belly on him currently

 

[Mamashack]

He sounds bloated and probably constipated which could be affecting his swim bladder.
Don't feed him for a couple of days and then try him with another shelled pea to see if that helps

 

[ReiRei]

Thanks for the advice
 
Just a little update.
He was perfectly fine yesterday, and this morning. Came back from work and he's floating again.

 

[Mamashack]

Sounds like something that's intermittent - is he pooing normally?