So my clown looks pregnant and its behaving really weird. It looks like its having trouble swimming and sometimes swims sideways for a bit. Then it goes to the top of the tank and goes sideways and then back to normal. All my other fish seem fine except this clown. What could be wrong?
Help!!
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I've moved this to the fish disease, treatment, and diagnosis forum to get more eyes on it for you. Any other fish showing symptoms or only the clown?
Big G
captain dunsel
Swim Bladder Disorder/fish constipation:
Symptoms - Both of these have identical symptoms but fish with swim bladder disorder generally do not survive. So your best bet is to treat for constipation and hope for the best. The fish will swim erratically, and appear to have difficulty maintaining its equilibrium. It may appear buoyant at the surface of the water, sometimes swimming in circles.
Treatment options - Feed 1 or 2 peeled boiled green peas (same kind you & I eat). Repeat daily even if the fish’s condition improves. The fiber contained in the peas will help “push things out.” If dealing with a fish that refuses to eat, you can try Epsom salt (as a laxative) or an antibiotic such as Kanamycin (aka Seachem Kanaplex) that lists diarrhea as a possible side effect.
Symptoms - Both of these have identical symptoms but fish with swim bladder disorder generally do not survive. So your best bet is to treat for constipation and hope for the best. The fish will swim erratically, and appear to have difficulty maintaining its equilibrium. It may appear buoyant at the surface of the water, sometimes swimming in circles.
Treatment options - Feed 1 or 2 peeled boiled green peas (same kind you & I eat). Repeat daily even if the fish’s condition improves. The fiber contained in the peas will help “push things out.” If dealing with a fish that refuses to eat, you can try Epsom salt (as a laxative) or an antibiotic such as Kanamycin (aka Seachem Kanaplex) that lists diarrhea as a possible side effect.
Just this clown is having the problem. All other fish seem fine. I checked the salinity and it was at 1.028 and I brought it back down to about 1.024 and it seems to be doing a bit better. Could that have been the problem?
The SG of the water definitely effects buoyancy but I think dropping the SG may just lessen the symptoms of the problem. I would keep an eye on him but still try a boiled peeled pea or USP Epsom salts if he won’t eat.
The pea you boil it then peel it and feed the pea, for the Epsom Salts you want pure pharmaceutical grade Epsom salts.
