I have a Beta fish who's sides are swollen, he stays at the bottom of the bowl for long periods of time. When I tap on the glass of his bowl he doesn't respond unless I tap really hard. When he does come up for air he swims fast gulps air a couple of times and goes immediately to the bottom of the bowl. As he goes back down to the bottom of the bowl it's like he's to heavy. What's wrong?
Answers:
Swimbladder is a disease which symptoms cause fish to become unable to swim correctly, your fish may exibit swimming toward the bottom of your tank or bowl, then floating back up, swimming in circles or laying or floating on his side..
There are three main things according to the posts and articles I've read that can lead to swimbladder disease.
Constipation due to overfeeding
Bad water quality
Bacteria
I have kept bettas for a few years, and this had been a problem on a regular basis for one fish in particular as well as a couple of others. Many people or websites recommend epsom salt baths as well as antibotics. I haven't tried either- and have not lost a betta to swimbladder.
I recommend the following regimine, recommened to me over two years ago.
First, If you have your fish in a bowl, and your normal routine consist of 100% water changes, As soon as you notice signs of swimbladder do a complete water change, taking care not to stress the fish by having the water temp as close to his bowl as possible, and using something as a cup so you don't have to net your fish.
After your water change you should not feed your fish any food for two days. On the third day feed your fish a fresh pea. Frozen peas thawed, popped out of the skin, and cut into bite size pieces. And then do another water change so that any uneaten peas do not contaminate your water..
If you do partials, or have a tank, do a significant change when you suspect swimbladder disease and then follow this treatment.
If you don't use aquarium salt this is a good addition to most tanks. The recommended dose is one teaspoon per gallon, or one tablespoon per five gallons. If you have never added salt and you are unsure; you may want to first acclimate him at only 1/2 tsp per gallon.
If this seems to be a frequent problem you may consider feeding less. Your water quality could indicate more frequent water changes, or in my case I break up the food for this one particular betta. It seems easier for him to digest. All my fish seem to love the peas and it may be of great benifit to feed a pea once a week.
FROM http://www.hv3.7h.com/swim%20bladder%20d.
A
U Fed Him Too Much He Is Going To Die Soon
Your fish probably has a bacterial infection. Move him to another container (a small jar will be fine) and give him Maracyn-Two from Mardel Labs. He should be fine after a few days.
Before you move him back to the tank, get a water test kit to find out what's wrong with the water (which probably caused the infection) and solve the problem with a water conditioner.
For example, if the PH level is the problem, get a PH water conditioner. If the ammonia level is the problem, then get an ammonia water conditioner.
All the stuff I mentioned is cheap and you can buy them at PETCO.com.
Don't treat him for anything!! It will stress him and kill him!
Just let him be, cover the tank and don't feed him for a few days. It won't hurt him, it will help him if all it is is overfeeding. If not then he is going to die anyways but it sounds like a case of overfeeding.
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