White Cloud Swim Bladder Problems

[WhiteCloud_7]

Hello,
 
I have 1 white cloud (5 in total), which lately has been struggling to swim normally. It seems to be struggling to swim down the tank and floats awkwardly on the surface. And I have a feeling some of my other white cloud may be getting this issue as well.
 
1. Water parameters. (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, PH, temp', Hardness etc)
 
- Ammonia levels: 0ppm
- Nitrate levels: 40 ppm
- PH levels: 6.0
- Temp : 15 degrees 
 
2. A full description of the fishes symptoms.
 
1 white cloud in particular seems to struggle normally and floats awkwardly on the surface. Some of the other white clouds seem to "get by" and mange their way down the tank looking for food, but seem to also struggle.
 
3. How often you do water changes and how much.
 
I usually change under half way of the water every 1 month.
 
4. Any chemicals and treatments you add to the water.
 
No. Only Prime when doing water changes.
 
5. What tank mates are in the tank.
 
5 White Cloud.
 
6. Tank size.
 
Medium 21L Tank 35 x 22 x 27cm
 
7. Finally Have you recently added any new fish?
 
No.
 
I have had these fish for almost 4 years now and recently have been seeing this issue.
 

 

[star4]

Increase your water changed to 25-30% weekly it sounds like a bacterial problem which is causing either swim bladder problems or shimmying (balance problem, basically) from your description it is difficult to tell which, to be exact.
 
I would say use an antibacterial medication, sorry I dont know what is avaiable in austrailia to use.

 

[WhiteCloud_7]

Thanks star4 for the reply. I am pretty sure it is swim bladder problems, because the tail is higher than the head as it swims. I just recently noticed. 
 

Increase your water changed to 25-30% weekly it sounds like a bacterial problem which is causing either swim bladder problems 

 
 My lack of water changes, I wouldn't be surprised. So I will change the water once a week and hopefully see good results. I also feed my fish by sprinkling the flakes from the surface, I should start placing it in the water. Prevents them from gasping air as they eat.
 
Thank you. Any other suggestions? 

 

[star4]

I dont think that would make much difference, however you can try them with some lightly cooked de-shelled pea. Just leave a couple of peas in hot water for 5 mins, let them cool, remove the shell and squash them in your fingers and drop into the tank, my WCMM go nuts over peas.

 

[WhiteCloud_7]

Thank you. I will try that.

 

[livelifelow]

If the peas don't work I would try using Epsom salts.  You want to start at 1 tsp/10 gal and slowly work it up to 3 tsp/10 gal. I usually upped it whenever I had to top off my tank (dissolving another tsp into the gallon I was adding,), Just keep track of what you have in there since the salt only is removed through water changes.