Tetra Swimming Vertically

[BigFishLover]

Hi guys,

My lemon tetra is swimming vertically, and has been for the last couple weeks. Usually when I have seen this behavior the fish survives for a few days, but this time its been several weeks.
The tank is 30 gallons, and has 3 neon tetras, 1 black skirt tetra, and 3 lemon tetras. Its reaching 5 years now, so i'm not adding any more fish. The lemon tetra that is sick is about between 4-5 yrs old.

I doubt that the problem is old age. Please any help would be appreciated.
I am ready to provide additional information.
This was my first fish, so I am extremely attached to it, and will do anything to help it.

Thx,
BFL

 

[Spooky76]

Hey
Sounds like swim bladder has gone. Few weeks is a long time, is it able to feed ?
Feed some peas. Normal peas, chuck a few in a cup, add boiling water, leave for a minute or 2 then pop the 2 halves out the shell, squash them in your fingers and add to tank, try to get the sick one to eat some.
Failing that not much you can do sorry.
Hope it fixes the problem.

 

[BigFishLover]

K thx.

Yes, so far it has been feeding. It can come up to the surface and get some food, but it struggles to do even that.
The tetra is constant;y moving, and im afraid to much energy is being used.

Anyways, ill try the peas thing today.
Thx

 

[luque]

yes the pea thing worked for me, when my fish had swim bladder.

Good luck

 

[dortiz24]

I had that issue with one of my guppy fry. Everyone told me it was swim bladder. The poor little guy has since been eaten. Hope you have better luck with your tetra.