posted 03-01-2003 02:22 AM           

---

I bought two pictus Catfish from PetSmart three weeks ago and now one of them is swimming at the serface of the tank upside down. It is still a live but it can't swim to the bottome of the tank. It seems as though its belly has filled with some type of air that is ,akeing it float to the top. Is there a way I can treat this? If not what is the most humane way to put him to rest?

Thanks

Mega

IP: Logged

Moderator

Posts: 199
From:El Paso, Texas
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 03-01-2003 04:16 PM         

---

Petsmart lets you take back sick fish for credit, when you have a receipt and a water sample. Swim bladder disease makes fish loose control of their bodies and swim upside down, sideways, crashing into things. If you're sure and you can't treat the fish, then place it in a small cup and put it in the freezer. The cold will slowly put the fish to sleep and by the time the water freezes, the fish is dead.

[This message has been edited by Hooben (edited 03-01-2003).]

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 74
From:Eglin AFB
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 03-03-2003 07:26 PM         

---

is that a way to put a fish out of his misery??..

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 36
From:canada
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 03-26-2003 12:18 AM         

---

freezing a fish is sick!!!!!!!

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 34
From:Hanover Park, I,l United state
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 03-26-2003 12:45 AM         

---

Lol thats petsmart for you

never buy fish there you may get lucky and get a nice fish but allways go to a place that isnt part of a big chain or a place that you know is reliable and wouldnt sell you a sick fish when you walk into a store and ask for a fish and they wont give it to you because of a reason that its not 100% well then you found a good place to buy fish i only buy medicine from petsmart cuz they are able to sell it cheaper

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 36
From:canada
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 03-26-2003 03:31 AM         

---

I like to go to Big Al's Or a small fish store in the basement of a pet shop [two different stores]

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 36
From:canada
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 03-26-2003 03:31 AM         

---

I like to go to Big Al's Or a small fish store in the basement of a pet shop [two different stores]

IP: Logged

posted 05-10-2003 09:53 PM           

---

recommend the following regimine, recommened to me over two years ago.

First, If you have your fish in a bowl, and your normal routine consist of 100% water changes, As soon as you notice signs of swimbladder do a complete water change, taking care not to stress the fish by having the water temp as close to his bowl as possible, and using something as a cup so you don't have to net your fish.
After your water change you should not feed your fish any food for two days. On the third day feed your fish a fresh pea. Frozen peas thawed, popped out of the skin, and cut into bite size pieces. And then do another water change so that any uneaten peas do not contaminate your water....
If you do partials, or have a tank, do a significant change when you suspect swimbladder disease and then follow this treatment.
If you don't use aquarium salt this is a good addition to most tanks. The recommended dose is one teaspoon per gallon, or one tablespoon per five gallons. If you have never added salt and you are unsure; you may want to first acclimate him at only 1/2 tsp per gallon.
If this seems to be a frequent problem you may consider feeding less. Your water quality could indicate more frequent water changes, or in my case I break up the food for this one particular betta. It seems easier for him to digest. All my fish seem to love the peas and it may be of great benifit to feed a pea once a week.
If you suspect that there is bacteria causing the symptoms of swimbladder perhaps antibotics may be needed.
I recommend the pea "trick" first as it will at least correct the swimbladder symptoms that bacteria or bad water quality could be causing.
I wanted to share this treatment because I have responded to many posts, recommending this procedure and I'm not sure if people take it seriously.
It is cheap, simple, and has never failed my bettas....I have one male who has looked dead laying on his side and he has always recovered by this simple effective treatment. Just recently One of my females could not swim toward the bottom of her tank, ( she would float heplessly back to the top) I immediatly changed the water, held of food for two days and then fed the pea, she is perfectly fine.
I know there are many people who probably lose thier fish needlessly, or who treat with harsh antibotics when it may not be necessary.
First give this a whirl! And pass it on.

IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)