Swim Bladder?

[Kay]

My pearlscale is having alot of trouble swimming at the moment.
It is always on the top of the tank sometimes floating on his side or upsidedown.
Am I right in thinking that he may have Swim Bladder?

[Dyjital]

Fish have swim bladders yes.

[Antonia]

Sorry to hear that your fish is sick.It does sound like it is having swim bladder problems.Has it become bloated ?
Do you think he would eat peas at the moment ?,that might help if he's blocked.Though I think there are a few different reasons for bladder problems.Are your water tests ok ?

[Katt]

Is he having a hard time going to the bottom of the tank.?
Is he alone in the tank ?
What are you feeding him ?

It dose sound like he may have it yes.

[callen]

Yes it does sound like swim bladder. Many times the swim bladder is harmed by injury by fish fighting, during transport and or the fish may be constipated. It can be very hard to treat depending on the severity. Many times epsom salts have been known to help along with feeding peas as Antonia suggested especially if the fish is constipated. 1 tbls for every 5-10 gals of water, dissolve first in some tank water and add it slowly. If it is from an injury the epsom salts won't hurt either as it helps with swelling and the fish will just need time to heal. With pristine water and a good diet he may be ok.

Moving to 911

[Alan]

do you feed it flakes ?
sometimes goldy,s can gulp air if feeding on floating flakes and they have trouble staying upright till the bubbles pass through their system

[callen]

Ahh good point Alan.

[Katt]

Wow I was thinking epsom salts and pea`s Callen, but wasn't 100% sure, so didn't say anything... Now I will try and remember it.
Thank`s.

[OinKY]

Think the Pearlscale in question is the Carpinte in her avatar... so the Epsom salts and peas route is the best bet.Not to say they don't suck in the air too when aggressively feeding on the surface.
Would be interesting to know if there are any tankmates though.If remember correctly,just the one tank with an Oscar too...how big is the O now?

[Alan]

are we talking cichlids or pearlscale goldfish here ?

[Kay]

Okay so I meant to say swim bladder disease.

He tries to swim will all his effort to the bottom of the tank and then just floats straight back up and most of the time he will just float on the top sometimes on his side. I can see that he just gets exhausted trying to move around.

It is hard to tell if he looks bloated as he is a pearl scale.

I read somewhere to give them peas so I tried yesterday with no luck I will not feed him until he is hungry enough to eat a pea. (shelled and soaked in tank water)

He is in a 2.5foot x 18 x 18
PH- 7.5
KH- 3'
GH- 9'
Nitrate - 5ppm
ammonia- 0ppm
nitrite - 0ppm

In the tank is 1 fantail goldfish, 1 blackmoor goldfish, 2 other pearl scale which look fine, 2 White Cloud Mountain minnow, 2 Rosy Red Minnow, and 2 Zebra Danio. Also in the tank I have a number of bristle nose babies 3cm long or bigger as I am growing them up in the tank to then take to the lfs.

I have been feeding them Tetra color granules. Which I just read that sometimes the food can have little air pockets in them and this could cause the Swim bladder disease?

[Kay]

are we talking cichlids or pearlscale goldfish here ?

Sorry guys I am talking about my cold freshwater tank that I have with my Pearl scale goldfish.
He has been like this for a little while but recently has not moved from the top of the tank will post a picture of him later today.

[callen]

Try the Epsom salts as that will act as a laxative and if any fluids it will help draw it out.

[Kay]

Try the Epsom salts as that will act as a laxative and if any fluids it will help draw it out.

Okay if i use the epsom salts will this effect my other fish??

I can always move the pearlscale goldfish to a smaller tank if needed to medicate

[Paul]

I would move to a hospital tank. It will make it much easier to medicate and keep the water clean.