Swim Bladder Problems: Today we want to focus on the fish diseases familiar with the swim bladder occupy. Again and again it comes here with the ornamental fish in our aquariums too Problems. These can present themselves differently. The swim bladder is one of the most important organs of the fish and if it is broken, torn or burst, the fish can no longer move as usual. As the name suggests, the swim bladder necessary for the fish to swim. But let's start with that first function of the swim bladder.
What is the swim bladder for and how does it work?
If a person goes into the water and doesn't move, then they sink quite quickly. Laws such as gravity but also buoyancy forces and the like play a role here. With fish it is different. They possess organs so that they can move easily in the water. With the help of the swim bladder, the fish can control and regulate its buoyancy in relation to its body weight. So it is possible for him to stand in the water. If you increase the volume in your swim bladder, you can change your buoyancy quickly and easily.
However, anyone who now believes that the fish changes the pressure and volume in the swim bladder through the air is mistaken. The fish changes this by gases, which are taken from the blood and the gas nozzle. In this way it changes the pressure in the swim bladder and can therefore sink or rise quite quickly. This movement is initiated by the fins.
If this swim bladder or the mechanism with the gas nozzle is broken, the fish will quickly have problems swimming.
What are swim bladder problems?
Again and again you can see in various videos that fish move very unusually in the water. Be it in rapid movements or in a constant sinking to the bottom of the floor and aquarium. Very often this has to do with the problems and connections of the swim bladder. If the swim bladder is broken or ruptured, the pressure, be it less or more, cannot be maintained and the fish may sink to the bottom. He can try to compensate for this movement with his fins, but usually won't be able to do it for long, since a lot of strength is required for this. Often a problem with the swim bladder is also described in line with the tumbling of the fish. Balance disorders and also overhead swimming can be the cause.
By the way, there are also fish that do not have a swim bladder. These are sharks, for example.
Are there any external symptoms of swim bladder disease?
As already described above, there are anomalies, especially in the case of obsolescence, with regard to a problem with the swim bladder. But it can also happen externally that reddening occurs in the area of the swim bladder. This also points to a problem. You can usually not see more with "only" swim bladder problems. If other diseases are added, which is very often the case, then of course it is.
What are the possible causes of swim bladder problems?
On the one hand there are internal diseases which can also cause problems with the swim bladder, on the other hand there are also quite harmless reasons for this. This phenomenon can usually be observed after feeding, especially with some tetra species such as the Neos. They swallow air when eating hastily and thus get out of the "beat" when it comes to swimming. Especially if you give flake food and it is eaten directly from the water surface. Thus, the danger is quite high that you also swallowed air. The only remedy here is quickly sinking feed, or moistening it a little beforehand.
Another cause of swim bladder disease or a defect in the swim bladder can also be caused by other diseases. Parasites or worms are the main causes here. Unfortunately, there is little scientific research into what really lies behind many swim bladder problems.
However, we ourselves have already noticed problems with the swim bladder after one Water change. Gas oversaturation can occur here. This then also triggers pressure differences in the fish. A cure is then usually no longer possible. Although this is triggered in connection with the water change, the cause lies in the tap water.
It can also happen that fish have only inflamed their swim bladder due to a large temperature difference. This is then a swim bladder infection.
What can you do about swim bladder problems?
If you have affected fish in your aquarium, you should act quickly. Unfortunately, there is usually little chance of success. However, you can try to put the fish in a separate tank first, where you keep the water level quite low. This protects the fish, as it does not have to constantly counteract the sinking force.
You should also try to increase the temperature by 2 to 4 degrees if there is an infection. But please only increase this temperature very slowly. The profiles of the fish should also be known, as these limit the level of the temperature.
Of course, there are also some medicines that can be given to the fish. However, whether it promises success remains questionable.
More fish diseases like that ascites or the white point disease can be found in the large area of fish diseases.
What if I can't heal the fish anymore?
Unfortunately, it can also happen that you can no longer save the fish. We then recommend our guide on how best to relieve a fish of its suffering: