One of my fish is swimming upside down.

Question

It got trapped in one of the tanks ornaments last night and i thought it was dead so i took it out and was about to dispose of it but it started to move. I rushed it back to the tank and it seemed fine until this afternoon, it now seems unable to turn upright! It's fins on it's back look damaged too. Poor little thing. What should i do??

Answer 1

Swim Bladder can be caused by a multitude of illnesses.

Hopefully it is constipated.

Drop 2 frozen peas into the tank for it to nibble on and see if it uprights itself in a few days.

Failing that, if you want to go to the trouble you can actually easily make a small floatation to assist it should it continue for more than 2 weeks, for further info just google swim bladder disease

Answer 2

I'd flush him and put him out of his misery.  There's no cure for that.  I wouldn't make him suffer.  Sorry to hear that!

Answer 3

leave it be, it should sort itself out in a day or too, dont feed it tho, too much food affects the boyancy of a fish

Answer 4

It might have trapped a lot of air in his lungs..since it was first trapped..he must be gasping..and then later since it was out of water..it must have trapped a lot of air...ummmm..this can be compared to swim bladder..

http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/Swim%20Blad...

Treat him as suggested on the above link...Also order MetroMeds from goldfishconnection.com...this is medicated food for fish..and always good to keep on hand..it has a very good reputation of saving fish from swim bladder and dropsy...Just keep it on hand..and don't use it..unless you have tried fasting it and feeding peas or using salt treatment..if nothing works only then go to medicated food...trust me he can be fine...only if you put in a little effort...

Answer 5

Don't waste money on a vet. Knock it on the head is the simple answer. Sorry but its a fish and its dying. Wrap it in kitchen paper or the like and either crush its head with a stone/heavy ornament etc or stand on with your heel, it if its a bigger fish. Won't take but a second.

I've done it a few times when I've had to, not easy but you have to. No point letting a creature suffer.

Answer 6

omg im o sorry it means its swim bladder has 'gone' im so soryr but your fish should pass away shorty :'(

its happend to my fish loads of times

its one of those things that just happens its nobodys fault

Answer 7

get it to a vet and have them look at it. sounds kinda painful. say good luck to your little fishy for me :D

Answer 8

Sounds like swim bladder disease. No solution as far as I am aware but some fish survive with it. I had one that swam upside down and survived for 2 years.

Answer 9

your fish probably doesn't realise he is swimming upside down. fish only have a seven second memory.it doesn't think.