Swim Bladder Disorder?

[Artemis JT]

It seems as if my lutino oscar (12'') has SBD.

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: About 20

I've done several extra water changes, skipped the feeding of this fish.. what else should I do? I've only had him for couple weeks, and only have been feeding him Cichlid Staple and an earthworm or two since, didn't want to try new foods too soon...

His tank-mates are a tiger oscar. I have seen None/Very minimal aggression between the two, and normal it's the lutino beating on the tiger if anything. They're both in the 11-13'' range, haven't bothered to actually measure them yet.

I've heard feeding peas helps? Along with a little salt?

Never really had a fish with SBD before.

BTW, he/she is a rescue fish.

Thanks!,
Art

[Rbishop]

Water changes and the peas might work.

[Artemis JT]

Water changes and the peas might work.

Thanks for the reply :)

I will buy some peas.

[jm1212]

keep up with the water changes. QT him if it gets to bad so he isnt picked on by the other.

[Artemis JT]

Thanks man.

[Artemis JT]

BTW, when I feed the peas (I have frozen snap peas) should I boil or anything before I serve, or just give them "raw?"

Thanks for your help,
Art

[Rbishop]

Just blanch them and peel off the outer skin, let cool.

[Artemis JT]

Thanks!

[Artemis JT]

Okay... I'm done for.

The oscars laying on his side...

[petluvr]

Here's what I did when this happened to me one time. Turn off the lights and cover the tank completely for three days. The "black-out" almost cured the SBD, the rest was daily WC's.

[Artemis JT]

Hmmm. Thanks for the info.

BTW, i read epsom salt helps with SBD also, would you guys agree? I got some, not sure if I should add it or not.

[petluvr]

I love salt, it's a great cure all. I don't know if it would help with SBD though.

[Artemis JT]

I love salt, it's a great cure all. I don't know if it would help with SBD though.

What about epsom salt though.

I read an eighth of a teaspoon per 5 gallons. Would this be correct?

Thanks,
Art

[petluvr]

I use aquarium salt, not epsom, I know nothing about using it and would not want to even begin to try and tell you how much to use. Are there any inverts or scaleless fish in the tank? If so I would proceed with caution.

[Artemis JT]

I don't have any scaleless fish, just my oscars and a trewavasae.

Thanks for your help.

[KarlTh]

Aquarium salt is a con; it does nothing which ordinary table salt doesn't do. Epsom salts are a different substance altogether and can do nothing for swim bladder disorders, but will clear intestinal problems which give rise to similar symptoms.

[petluvr]

I don't like table salt as you always run the risk of getting iodized, even though the container says different.

[Artemis JT]

Aquarium salt is a con; it does nothing which ordinary table salt doesn't do. Epsom salts are a different substance altogether and can do nothing for swim bladder disorders, but will clear intestinal problems which give rise to similar symptoms.

Thanks.