Zebra Danio Swimming Oddly

[VeryFatbloke]

Hi all,

I came home from work tonight and noticed that my Zebra Danio is swimming rather oddly. He's swimming almost completely on his side and slightly head down. I suspect that he may have swimbladder disease but am not 100% certain. None of the other fish in the tank are showing any symptons similar to this.

I've tested the water this evening and Ph is 7.8, ammonia and nitrite 0 and nitrates are 5. I've added Interpret anti internal bacteria med and removed the carbon from my filter. I'll just have to see how things progress.

My tank is a Trigon 190 and the inhabitants are 9 assorted danios, 3 red tailed rainbowfish, 2 dwarf gouramis, 5 pentazona barbs, 6 red eye tetras, 2 peppered corys and Fred, my snowball plec.

Can anybody else suggest any other possible cause for the little fellows swimming, or any other course of action I could take.

Thanks
Gary

 

[WILDER]

Can you say what you feed the fish, i would try some shelled peas on him as well.

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.

 

[VeryFatbloke]

Hi Wilder

I normally feed daily, flake, catfood pellets, algae wafers and 2 spirulina tablets. I'll try some peas and see if that helps, I've tried cucmber before but none of the fish seem interested in it..........

Gary

 

[WILDER]

I would get some frozen foods like bloodworms,brimestrimp, and daphnia into there diet, plus veg, mine like peas,broc, cabbage, and sproats, mine don't like cucumba either, good luck.

 

[VeryFatbloke]

You know what, I forgot to say that I feed freeze dried bloodworm on alternate days. I'll do some peas tomorrow and see how he gets on.

Gary

 

[VeryFatbloke]

Unfortunately he didn't make it, he got worse and worse and I euthanaised him. I've also lost a red tailed rainbowfish and a pearl danio. Couldn't give an explanation for these two deaths.

I've tested a couple of times since the deaths and the water params are ok, no change from my first post. I'll just saee how things pan out in the next couple of weeks,as there are no signs of any problems with any of the other fish.

 

[WILDER]

No signs before the other fish died, like going pale or darker in colour, sorry for your loss, R.I.P.

 

[The-Wolf]

imho it is the freeze dried food that has done this.
I would never feed any fish freeze dryed food.

VFBs fish

 

[VeryFatbloke]

imho it is the freeze dried food that has done this.
I would never feed any fish freeze dryed food.


Hi Wolf

That's an interesting point. Does freeze dried food create problems for fish? Or is it the fact that I'm feeding this too often and should consider feeding the bloodworm as an occasional treat?

Thanks
Gary

 

[CroNiC]

I doubt its the freeze dried worms. It wouldnt be the food. When was the last time u cleaned ur tank? Are any of ur other fish behaving differently?

And btw the trick to feeding ur cucumber is boiling it for a min or 2 and then feeding it so its not very hard. Imagine sucking on a regular cucumber. It would never be finished lol.

 

[The-Wolf]

Hi Wolf
That's an interesting point. Does freeze dried food create problems for fish? Or is it the fact that I'm feeding this too often and should consider feeding the bloodworm as an occasional treat?
Thanks
Gary

I have had so many customers report problems after feeding freeze dried food.
I think it may have something to do with the actual freeze drying process.

Because of this I just won't risk it, but I'm sure there are many people that use this type of food without any problems. I would always choose live or frozen food than freeze dryed.

now when you say feed too often; do you feed them it daily?
too much blodworm in any shape or form is bad for fish.
mine only get bloodworm every 4th day.

 

[VeryFatbloke]

Thanks Wolf

I have been feeding the bloodworm on alternate days but will now revert to using it only once a week.

Gary