The-Wolf
Ex-LFS manager/ keeper of over 30 danio species
Understanding swim bladder problems.
To understand the problems that affect the swim bladder you must first understand what a swim bladder does.
The swim bladder is a thin-walled sac in the front (anterior) of the fish’s abdomen that expands or contracts, this controls its’ buoyancy. The sac is attached to the oesophagus (via the pneumocystic duct). Oxygen that comes in through the gills is transferred into the sac via the blood vessels, this inflates it. An inflated swim bladder increases buoyancy. (This is because the increased fish volume is not associated with an increased weight). A deflated bladder decreases buoyancy, allowing the fish to dive deeper. The pneumocystic duct acts as a pipe that can vent excess gas from the swim bladder into the gut system quickly. Basically think of the swim bladder as a balloon; the more air in a balloon, the more it will float, the less the more it will sink.
Problems associated with swimbladder.
Symptoms.
The fish either floats uncontrollably to the top of the tank, or sinks to the bottom.
Seems to struggle greatly while swimming, and often will swim at an unusual angle.
May or may not have a "kinked" spine, often in the shape of an "S" when viewed from above.
May lie around, barely moving except when a mad dash is made to the surface for air.
May or may not have a swollen belly, (often caused by constipation).
Causes.
1. A bacterial or viral infection.
How does this affect the swim bladder?
This results in the lining of the bladder becoming thickened, thus interfering with the transfer of gas into the sac or reduced sac elasticity.
How do I treat this?
There are a few medications on the market that will treat a bacterial infection, but if it is viral there is little that can be done.
2. Feeding regimens.
Some fish are prone to gulping in air when feeding at the surface, this leads to too much air being passed into the swim bladder.
How can I prevent this?
Feed a sinking food rather than a floating one. Other preventive measures may include pre-moistening flake foods, feeding live food or gels containing higher moisture content.
3. Constipation.
What causes this?
Often this is caused by overfeeding, but some times it is part of the bacterial or viral infection.
How can I cure this?
Stop feeding dry flakes and replace with another food, such as frozen blood worms you can also feed a cooked, de-shelled, pea (both acts as a laxative). Reduce the amount of food you normally feed.
4. physical damage.
The fish has bashed it’s self into an object and caused an injury, similar to us bruising ourselves.
Is there anything I can do?
The only thing to do is feed less and keep your eye on the fish, look for any signs of secondary infection.
HTH
Any additional comments, causes cures will be welcomed.
To understand the problems that affect the swim bladder you must first understand what a swim bladder does.
The swim bladder is a thin-walled sac in the front (anterior) of the fish’s abdomen that expands or contracts, this controls its’ buoyancy. The sac is attached to the oesophagus (via the pneumocystic duct). Oxygen that comes in through the gills is transferred into the sac via the blood vessels, this inflates it. An inflated swim bladder increases buoyancy. (This is because the increased fish volume is not associated with an increased weight). A deflated bladder decreases buoyancy, allowing the fish to dive deeper. The pneumocystic duct acts as a pipe that can vent excess gas from the swim bladder into the gut system quickly. Basically think of the swim bladder as a balloon; the more air in a balloon, the more it will float, the less the more it will sink.
Problems associated with swimbladder.
Symptoms.
The fish either floats uncontrollably to the top of the tank, or sinks to the bottom.
Seems to struggle greatly while swimming, and often will swim at an unusual angle.
May or may not have a "kinked" spine, often in the shape of an "S" when viewed from above.
May lie around, barely moving except when a mad dash is made to the surface for air.
May or may not have a swollen belly, (often caused by constipation).
Causes.
1. A bacterial or viral infection.
How does this affect the swim bladder?
This results in the lining of the bladder becoming thickened, thus interfering with the transfer of gas into the sac or reduced sac elasticity.
How do I treat this?
There are a few medications on the market that will treat a bacterial infection, but if it is viral there is little that can be done.
2. Feeding regimens.
Some fish are prone to gulping in air when feeding at the surface, this leads to too much air being passed into the swim bladder.
How can I prevent this?
Feed a sinking food rather than a floating one. Other preventive measures may include pre-moistening flake foods, feeding live food or gels containing higher moisture content.
3. Constipation.
What causes this?
Often this is caused by overfeeding, but some times it is part of the bacterial or viral infection.
How can I cure this?
Stop feeding dry flakes and replace with another food, such as frozen blood worms you can also feed a cooked, de-shelled, pea (both acts as a laxative). Reduce the amount of food you normally feed.
4. physical damage.
The fish has bashed it’s self into an object and caused an injury, similar to us bruising ourselves.
Is there anything I can do?
The only thing to do is feed less and keep your eye on the fish, look for any signs of secondary infection.
HTH
Any additional comments, causes cures will be welcomed.
