How to Treat Swim Bladder Disorder in Fish

If your goldfish is tilting to one side or swimming upside down, it may have swim bladder disorder. Conditions like constipation, enlarged organs, or infections can lead to swim bladder disorder and disrupt the normal swimming behavior of the fish. With proper care, you can treat this condition and help your goldfish recover.

Observe the common signs of swim bladder disorder in fish. This disorder occurs when the fish's swim bladder (a normal organ that inflates to help the fish maintain buoyancy in water) is damaged. Regardless of the cause, the symptoms are usually similar. If you notice a fish upside down, don't assume it's dead. If it is still breathing, it could be suffering from swim bladder disorder. Here are some signs to look for:

• The fish is always floating on the surface, belly up.
• The fish is sinking to the bottom of the tank.
• The fish's head is lower than its tail when swimming (Note: this is normal for species that swim with their heads tilted down).
• The fish's belly appears swollen.

Know which fish are most prone to swim bladder disorder. Goldfish, especially rare varieties and Betta fish, are the most at risk. These types of goldfish have round, short bodies, which can cause their internal organs to become compressed. This compression can affect the swim bladder and disrupt its function.

• If you keep rare goldfish or Betta fish, it’s important to monitor for signs of swim bladder disorder. If left untreated, this condition can lead to the death of the fish.
• Natural goldfish varieties with longer bodies are less prone to swim bladder disorder, as their internal organs are not as tightly packed together.

Understand the causes of the disorder. When the small internal organs of goldfish become enlarged, they can press against the swim bladder and interfere with its function. The stomach, intestines, and liver are particularly prone to swelling due to the fish’s eating habits. Swim bladder disorder in fish can be caused by one of the following:

• Swallowing too much air while eating, causing the stomach to inflate.
• Eating low-quality food or food that contains air, leading to constipation in the intestines.
• Overeating, resulting in fat accumulation in the liver and liver enlargement.
• Enlarged kidney cysts.
• Deformities in the internal organs.

Look for signs of infection. Sometimes swim bladder disorder is a symptom of an underlying infection, and you may not be able to address the issue just by adjusting the fish’s diet. If you suspect your fish is infected, it’s important to isolate it for treatment to help it recover.

• Infected fish may exhibit behaviors such as clamped fins, trembling, and loss of appetite, in addition to symptoms of swim bladder disorder.
• Start by cleaning the tank to reduce bacterial levels; in many cases, this can help eliminate the bacteria causing the infection.
• If symptoms persist, you might consider treating the infection with broad-spectrum antibiotics. These are available in liquid or food form at pet stores. Be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging to avoid overdosing.

Increase the water temperature in the aquarium. Cold water can slow digestion and lead to constipation in fish. While treating the fish, maintain the water temperature between 21-26.5°C to help the fish digest food more efficiently.

Fast your fish for 3 days. Since swim bladder disorder is often caused by the fish's eating habits, begin the treatment by fasting the fish for 3 days. Overeating can cause the internal organs to swell and damage the swim bladder. Allow the fish to digest the food already in its system, and let the stomach, intestines, and other organs return to their normal size.

• Fasting for 3 days will not harm the fish. However, it is important not to continue fasting beyond this period.
• During the fasting period, observe the fish to see if the swim bladder disorder seems to improve. If symptoms persist, proceed to the next step.

Prepare cooked beans for the fish to eat. Beans are firm and high in fiber, which helps reduce constipation in fish. Purchase frozen beans and cook them until soft (either on the stove or in the microwave). Peel the skin off and drop a few beans into the water for the fish to eat. Feed the fish one or two beans a day.

• Avoid overcooking the beans; if overcooked, the beans will break down before the fish can eat them.
• When eating pellets, fish often swallow too much air, causing digestive issues and internal organ swelling. Feeding beans with a firm texture can help resolve this problem.

Hand-feed the fish if necessary. When you drop a bean into the water, it may sink to the bottom of the tank. Fish suffering from swim bladder disorder have difficulty diving down to retrieve food. If necessary, hold the bean near the surface of the water until the fish can approach and eat it.

• You can also skewer the bean with a toothpick and hold it close to the fish.
• Lowering the water level to allow the fish to reach the bean is also an effective solution.

Monitor the fish's symptoms. After a few days of feeding only beans, the fish’s digestive system should return to normal, and you may notice that the fish is swimming without difficulty. At this point, you can resume feeding the fish its regular food.

• If symptoms persist, the fish may have an irreversible condition, such as internal organ deformities or damage. Wait a few more days to see if the swim bladder disorder resolves. If the fish never regains the ability to swim and eat normally, the best option might be to humanely euthanize it.

Soak the food before feeding the fish. Dry food often floats on the water surface, and when the fish rise to eat, they may accidentally gulp air along with the food. This can cause the fish's internal organs to swell and result in swim bladder disorders. Try soaking the food before sprinkling it in the tank so it sinks, allowing the fish to eat without taking in air.

• You can also purchase sinking food for the fish, which automatically sinks to the bottom without the need for soaking.
• If you're feeding anything other than pellet or flake food, ensure the food is firm and completely thawed before offering it to the fish.

Don't overfeed the fish. Overfeeding can lead to constipation, which may cause the intestines or stomach to become enlarged, resulting in swim bladder problems. Fish should only be fed a small amount of food once a day. Even if your fish always seem hungry, they only need a little to stay active and healthy.

Keep the tank clean. A dirty tank is a breeding ground for bacteria and parasites, which can worsen the fish's symptoms and sometimes lead to infections. Regular cleaning of the tank is necessary to ensure the fish live in clean water, not in polluted surroundings.

• Use a testing kit to check the pH, ammonia, and nitrite levels. Changing the water doesn't always ensure that the water quality is suitable for the fish, especially if you've never tested it before. Goldfish thrive best when the water's pH is between 7.2 and 7.6, with ammonia and nitrite levels kept between 0 and 0.25 ppm.
• Consider adding aquarium salt specifically designed for freshwater fish tanks. This type of salt can help prevent diseases and strengthen the goldfish's immune system.

Maintain the appropriate water temperature. Regularly check to ensure the water temperature stays around 21°C. Goldfish won't thrive in colder water. Water temperatures below this can cause the fish's body to feel heavy and slow down digestion.