Whenever you suspect a swim bladder problem, DO NOT poke the fish with a pin or needle!
Symptoms |
Causes |
Treatments & Links |
| A). The fish whirl or wobble around the aquarium | This is a gram-positive bacterial infection of the swim bladder known as: Whirling disease | Treat with TMP Sulfa -or- Erythromycin |
| B). The swim bladder contains purulent fluid. Large numbers of bacteria are found in the fluid and the wall | This involves a bacterial infection usually as a result of an inflammation | Treat with Quinine Sulfate. |
| C). The wall of the swim bladder is hardened | The Swim bladder is hardened | Raise the temperature in the tank by 3 to 5 degrees for five days. |
| D). Round cysts of various sizes occur in the wall of the swim bladder | The fish are affected with the sporozoan Eimeria | Try: Furazolidone Powder -or- Quinine Sulfate. |
| E). Large inclusions occur in the wall of the swim bladder | The fish is affected with Microspora | No suitable treatment known. |
| F). The anterior part of the air bladder, the part towards the abdomen, is inflamed. These fish were standing on their heads, or laying flat on the bottom | A bacterial infection is the cause | Treat with: TMP Sulfa -or- Sulfa 4 TMP. |