Swim Bladder?

[KeddyPie]

Anyone remember me?

My mother keeps one fish, a betta, that she got for her desk at work. he's a very beatiful pet shop boy, a deep blue and lots of energy - I woke up the other day, and my mom was rather sad, claiming he was dead.

Knowing my place in the world (dead animal removal I guess, at least in this house) I waltzed over to check it out, and noticed immedietly that he was certainly not dead. He was still a very rich blue, and from what I've gathered they lose some coloration when they die. She told he he'd not been eating the last few days.

I tapped the tank (I'm mean like that) to see if he was responsive at all, and he flailed a big and fell back down. It was rather sad. I assumed he was dying. I set up a small shallow dish for him (2 inches of water, about 6 inches diameter) so he would not have to struggle for air. I put some fresh treated water in there for him.

That was 2 days ago. Today, he is able to float right in the water, not at an angle, and move enough to get air... But when he tries to swim, it is more like flailing and falling to his side. Otherwise, he seems to have lots of energy.

Am I right to assume this is swim bladder?

Gonna go get some blackwater extract today and some fresh blood worms to see if I can't temp him to eat, and that is about all I can think to do for him.

 

[jollysue]

I don't know what to diagnose. I would wait on feeding rich food though. If I were going to feed anything it would be a veggie=pea probably or daphnia. Also a possible epsom salt bath. But I am most certainly not the illness diagnoser.

So I am posting to get some attention going. Also, I do certainly remember you Keddypie. HI!

 

[jollysue]

Someone got help for KeddyPie?

If nothing shows up, you might want to try in the emergency forum. wuv is doing service over there, too.

 

[KeddyPie]

Someone got help for KeddyPie?

If nothing shows up, you might want to try in the emergency forum. wuv is doing service over there, too.

Well, I may double-post in emergancy tomarrow. He's doing ok, still has energy and good color, but still had no control. At this point, I'm just doing lots of fresh water changes and crossin' my fingers.

 

[WILDER]

Don't feed blood worms they make swim bladder worse as they are high protein.
Need to feed him some shelled peas.
Add some epson salt to his bowl, one teaspoon per gallon.
http/www.fishjunkies.com/Treatments/salt.php

 

[WILDER]

http/www.fishtanksandponds.info/care-mai...swimbladder.htm

 

[KeddyPie]

Still... exactly the same. Leads me to believe whatever it is is not going to get any worse or better. Got some blackwater extract in there for him. No shelled peas or anything right now... I'm more worried about getting SOMETHING in him, as opposed to something healthy in him - Like I believe I said unless I forgot, my mother told me he had not been eating for at least a few days before this issue occures, which means he hasn't eaten in a good week now...

 

[jollysue]

What always concerns me is that the fish might be constipated. Constipation can affect the swim bladder, Rich food make it worse. Pea and daphnia are two sources of regularity. It is always the problem whether the fish will take to them. The Epsom salt bath will help draw off toxins. Might also add some aquarium (or non iodinized) salt which seems to be an all effective tonic for Betta.