Swim bladder dysfunction

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unicorn

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Apr 10, 2004
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milton keynes - england
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I need help please!
I have inherited some fish in a small tank - one - I think it is a shubunkin (sorry if spelling is wrong) has developed what I can only identify as dysfunctional swim bladder. The fish (about 2 years old) is paralysed from the `waist` back. He cannot swim - stays on the bottom and has trouble staying the right way up. As I am worried he does not get enough to eat, I take him into a small tank each evening and feed him. He is alert, trying to function, eating, defeceating - but after three weeks does not seem to be much improved. He does not appear to be distressed, (other than not being able to swim,) - no flicking, etc. and is very lively as I move him back and forth each night. I put him back in the main tank after feeding as he has a friend there who appears to look after him, nudging him the right way up when he gets stuck. Can he recover? Thanks for any suggestions. Unicorn
 
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I am pretty new to this scene but I can tell you that there are many great minds wandering this forum. For the best possible help, I have learned to post my tank specs and water parameters. This provides an overall bigger picture of the situation.

IMO moving the fish from tank to tank can only stress the fish more and possibly worsen the condition. Take a look at the link provided. It is part of one of many stickys at the top of this forum that has helped me a great deal.

http://www.fishpalace.org/Disease.html#Swimbladder

Scott
 
Keep the fish in pristine water conditions and try feeding shelled peas for a couple of days. What is commonly believed to be general "swim bladder problems" can have several causes including simple constipation.
Here is a great site for reference.
 
Thank you Cearbhaill for replying. I am so peased that you think there is some hope of recovery!! I will follow your instructions exactly, - but I find it amazing - `shelled peas`?? I am assuming you mean fresh (raw) garden peas? The kind we eat for lunch? I will find some immediately and let you know how it goes. Thanks again = Unicorn
 
The shelled peas work. I treated a dwarf gourami of mine that had a swim bladder problem by feeding it shelled peas. That was a couple of months ago and it is perfectly healthy today. I still feed my fish shelled peas from time to time in order to vary their diet. Good luck! I hope your fish recovers.

Scott
 
That fish is a goner, in my opinion, and you should flush him immediately and put him out of his misery.
If it was a $100 fish, or you lived a thousand miles away from a fish store, it might be worth your while to nurse a sick goldfish back to health. (Otherwise, just buy a new one, what are they, a couple of bucks?)
 
Thankyou scottracy - I have cleaned everything and checked water is great - and found some peas to feed him. I will go on hoping - he seems a little more active, - thanks for the encouragement, I will let you know.

Thankyou Ozark Joe for your suggestion. I can only say I am very glad I do not live in your tank!
 
Ozark likes to flush all of his fish. Too bad he doesn't have 30 plus years of experience in keeping fish like good old Tando had.
 
While I realize it's not politically correct to say anything in AC about flushing fish, I'm not about being politically correct. What I AM about is giving the best advice I can give, and not flaming a fellow user like you've just done, which, by the way, violates the TOS here.

I've seen posts where folks are advised to go through endless amounts of rigamarole AND MONEY to save a cheap white cloud fish - a fish that is so cheap and "throw-away" you can often get 10 for a dollar. If you choose to do that, more power to you.

If you don't like what I have to say, I'd suggest you just skip right over it, deal?
 
Stop this bickering, this is taking this thread no where. If you have a problem with someone, PM them, don't take it out in threads like this. Flaming of any sort, whether from the instigator, or from the victim will not be tolerated.

-Richer
 
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