Sick Betta

[Annastasia]

Hi all,

I have a sick Plakat, which I think has swimbladder. He can't swim properly, he keeps swimming in circles. I put him in a small container, with the water level barely an inch above his head because in his main tank he couldn't get to the surface. He is always lying on his side, except when you turn on a light in the room, or walk near him. Then he goes on this frantic dash around the container, breathing a few times in between. From what I've seen with my fish and other Bettas, this looks like swimbladder to me, am I right? I've never seen any of my fish have it this bad, usually they can right themselves for a bit, but then continue swimming in lazy circles. He seriously twirls every time he tries to swim.

I am treating with an antibacterial, since I know it can sometimes be bacterial. It can't be caused by bad water quality, all the parameters in the main tank were spot on.

So my question...I know he's probably not going to get better at this stage. He can't eat, and I know they can only go about, what, two weeks without food. It's been almost a week already. So should I just stay on death watch, or is it cruel to let him live like this? I'm not one for euthenasia, but if it's better for him I'll do it....
Or if you have any thing else I can try that might make a difference in him, I'm open to all suggestions.

Thanks.

 

[WILDER]

Are you sure it's swim bladder as it sounds like it could be a parasite, with darting around, swimming in circles and laying to one side.

Not the writer of this information below.
Swim Bladder Disorder



The Swim bladder is a gas-filled sac located inside the fish’s body cavity just above most of the other internal organs. This sac is what gives the fish buoyancy and controls equilibrium. The amount of gas in this sac changes as the fish rises and sinks in the water, enabling it to swim, hover and move in the water. Without the use of the Swim-bladder organ a fish is unable to control it's own movements.



Symptoms:

Fish with a swim bladder disorder appear to have an abnormal swimming pattern, usually with their tail end up. They also appear to have difficulty maintaining equilibrium. They may even float upside down or appear to be stuck at the surface of the water, being unable to swim down, or they may lie on the bottom, unable to rise. Fish with a swim bladder disorder will continue to try and feed, showing a normal appetite.



Cause:

The most common cause of swim bladder disorders is improper diet. An improper diet can lead to intestinal gas or intestinal blockages. Intestinal blockages can irritate the bowel, giving bacteria or other parasites an entry point where they can then cause damage to the swim bladder. Swim bladder disorders are most common in the larger, deep-bodied varieties of Goldfish. Fish also fed a lot of dried foods, especially pellets, are most susceptible. This condition is frequently observed in the later stages of Malawi Bloat, which is primarily due to an improper diet as well and intestinal irritation.



Treatment:

Because this disorder is due principally to an improper diet, a change in their feeding needs to be made. Dried foods with lots of protein should be kept to a minimum. Pellets and other dense foods should be soaked prior to feeding or completely eliminated from their diet. Foods with lots of fiber should be introduced, such as zucchini, squash, spinach, romaine lettuce, peas, and grated carrots. If you suspect that the fish is victim to a bacterial infection, treat the fish with a medicated food.





Not the writer of this information
Laying Over- Layover or Sleeping Sickness is usually a bacterial infection caused by parasites chewing on the gills or skin. In other instances, it is only a result of severe stress, such as a bitter cold or exposure to chlorine. The most common found parasites are Costia, Trichodina, and Chilodinella.

You will have to evaluate for all sources of stress and get them corrected. It is recommended by http/www.koivet.com to salt at 0.3% and then in at all possible, inject the fish to offset any infection that may be in the fish's system. Several medications are available. top

 

[Annastasia]

Hmm...he hasn't had any severe stress, exposure to chlorine or bitter cold. It says it may be bacterial, so my anti-bacterial I am treating with should be able to kill it right? And he does have a little salt in his water.

I'm still leaning towards swimbladder, from what I've seen before. But I could be wrong.

 

[WILDER]

Good luck the fish keeper know's there fish the best.