Swim Bladder?

[TIFFERS]

...I've always been told if the fish has a 'swim bladder'...they float belly up?

Well, my biggest goldfish (Black Moor) is floating butt end up...he can barely keep straight in the tank. He also was caught by the cat once, and has an blood filled eye on one side, but that was nearly a year ago.

I recently switched their food to Hikari (wheat-germ, I think)...and assumed they weren't eating it...

Any ideas?

[That_girl]

Most fish have a swim bladder, there are only a few rare exceptions. That's what they use to regulate their depth in the water. It's like our inner ear, our equilibrium.

It's an indication that your fish is probably dying. They can come out of it, but it's rare. :(

[TIFFERS]

So, 'swim bladder' is not like a disease or something? Interesting...

...he's not floating belly up. He's stuck butt up. He can swim normally...but, it seems like he gets confused sometimes.

I know with Swim Bladder issues, I've heard to fast the fish...? Any ideas? Think it will help?

I mean, he's the healthiest looking fish I've got...he doesn't look bad, pale, or anything...

[Bettachris]

swim bladders is an air sack that is located in the fish. while it does play different roles in different fishes, most FW fishes will use them to float.

Now since goldfish are not the "brightest"fish when using floating pellets they often ingest air when looking for food. So this allows them for extra air in their swim bladder which causes their bouency problem.

IT will correct itself given a few days. More advanced aquarist can use a small needle to go into the fish and pop the swim bladder which doesnt harm the fish and the excess air can leave via the whole. which will heal in about 2-3 days.

But what u can do is allow the fish to correct itself.

Swim bladder issues tend to be mostly goldfish because of surface feeding.

[TIFFERS]

More advanced aquarist can use a small needle to go into the fish and pop the swim bladder...
One of the doctor's was talking about doing this for him...but neither of us know where the swim bladder is. :rolleyes:

Swim bladder issues tend to be mostly goldfish because of surface feeding.

So, what do you think I should do? ...get sinking food so he either eats sand or rocks...or continue with the floating pellets so he eats air?