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I have a female platy that seems to float to the surface whenever she stop swimming. But her equilibriam is fine. She is completely upright, and has been for the 3 days since I noticed this. This makes her seem much less sick. I haven't treated her with anything, as I'm not sure what the problem is. I assume swim bladder disease, but as I said, she is upright, and not bloated at all. She seems fine, except way to bouyant, and doesn't appear to be eating.

She's not pregnant. I've had her over a year in a 46gal without any males.

Any ideas and treatments?

I've isolated her into a 10 gal tank with water from the main tank.

levels are:

ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 10
PH 7.2
temp 80

thanks,
-Dennis



Last edited by Beefshank at 18-Oct-2005 15:54

Swim bladder problems can have all sorts of causes, the first and biggest is probably thermic shock, which obviously can occur during water changes and equipment failures etc. I notice that your water temp of 80f might actually be a little too high for some platy's and that alone could be the cause, as the fish will have a harder time regulating gases that will be slightly more volatile at higher temperatures, in short , it may literally be unable to reduce the amount of air in its bladder while kept too warm. Obviously, if you decide to lower the temps to a more suitable range say 75 f you would have to do it very slowly so as not to make the problem worse.

The next most common is bacterial, any bacteria causing tissue necrosis or gas production can affect the swim bladder, the actual species of bacteria that could be responsible are too numerous to go into here, needless to say you can treat it with the broadest spectrum anti- bacterial treatment you can find. Protozoan infections could also cause complications and protozin or metronidazole may help.

Feeding and the complications of feeding can cause swim bladder failure, constipation, or undigested and rotting foods will cause the gut to expand thusly putting pressure on the swim bladder. A massive worm infestation could also cause this. The only way to help the fish is to cause a purge, this can be done by using garlic, thawed frozen peas or dewormers.Obviously you would then need to give some thought to the diet to prevent it reoccurring. A fish kept at higher than normal temperatures may also experience additional gaseous exchange during digestion and this too could cause pressure on the swim bladder.

Sometimes a little salt in the aquarium water can help allieviate the symptoms , but depending on the species of fish you have , this may or may not be suitable.

Some people even think that high levels of copper may be implicated in some cases of swim bladder failure.



Last edited by longhairedgit at 19-Oct-2005 01:04

Ok, thanks.

I am lowering the temp, and will add some salt tomorrow (i'm at work now).

She is still swimming upright, and doesn't appear to be bloated.

I've adding a piece of floating brocolli so she'll have something to munch on if she chooses.

-Dennis

Temp is down, salt is in. But so far, no change for the better, or worse.

Are there any other suggestions?

thanks,
-Dennis

If she is still acting normal then you got a bit of time. Look and see if she is pooping? If so, what is the colour of the fecal trail? That can tell you a lot about what is going on inside a fish...

I don't think she is eating or pooping. I leave a piece of brocolli floating for her to nibble on, but I haven't seen it happen, and she doesn't eat flakes (her regular food) either.

-Dennis

Go with a broad spectrum antibiotic if nothing improves, its really guesswork from here on in, just choose treatments that optimise the chances of nailing the cause first time. It significant that it hasnt died yet, something must have gone right. Fingers crossed. Some fish can live with swim bladder issues indefinately, its not necessarily fatal, ive had an old angel that lasted 4 months before he was finally unable to feed and had to be euthanised. I know of people that have had fish that never regain control, but remain oriented correctly and feed ok. Theres no real reason to euthanise them.

If you think the fish has a shot at survival, treat it with antibacterial meds, if nothing improves worm it, then if theres still no change, go for an antiprotozoan med, and thats pretty much all you can do other than making sure tank conditions stay as stable as possible.

good luck!

Last edited by longhairedgit at 28-Oct-2005 23:57

Thank you for coming back.

It's been 10 days, and there is no change. But as far as I know, the poor fish hasn't eaten in 10 days either! I have some brocolli floating in there that I change every couple days, so it may nibble, but I haven't seen any signs of it.

I've also found that my female betta seems to have the same problem now! Although she did eat today, she also seems to have to fight to dive, and then floats back up. I am extra concerned, as 2 fish have it at the same time!

I will feed the betta the anti-bacterial food, but I haven't had any luck getting the platy to eat.

In the morning, I am going to move the betta to the hospital tank with the platy, and get some anti-biotics to add to the water. Which are the best broad spectrum? The disease section mentions Triple Sulfa. Is that the best thing to try? I don't know hardly anything about meds. I've just used what's recommended in the past.

Also, you said after that to try to "worm it". I have NO idea what that means. But I guess we are a while away from trying it.

thanks,
-Dennis

I should have said deworm it.lol.

For worming try garlic, fenbendazole , antiparasite food or something.

Triple sulfa, presumably Trimoprethrin sulfa is sometimes recommended for various uses,its effective on contact, but id go with melafix to start. If you want something systemic you could ask your vet for BAYTRIL (ENROFLOXACIN)which is either injectable or ingestable and is probably the best broad spectrum antibiotic out there. We used to use it on almost everything at the animal rescue. And yes you can inject a fish. Dorsally or on the fleshy part of the tail . Ain't saying its not tricky tho .




Last edited by longhairedgit at 07-Nov-2005 21:48