Swim bladder disorder is one of the most common issues that bettas face. Hobbyists that keep bettas for a long time will likely deal with swim bladder issues at some point. Knowing how to treat swim bladder problems is essential to help bettas feel better.
The bad news is that swim bladder disorder can have many causes. The tricky part is figuring out the primary issue.
The good news is the disorder is highly treatable, and death is rare.
There are three primary causes of swim bladder disorders in bettas. They include digestive issues, infection, and shock.
What Is The Swim Bladder?
A swim bladder is an organ that helps fish with buoyancy. It sits in the dorsal coelomic cavity of most bony fishes and forms from the digestive tube.
The bladder fills with oxygen and can expand and contract to allow the fish to rise or sink in the water.
Besides buoyancy, the swim bladder helps bettas breathe and produce sound.
What Is Swim Bladder Disorder?
A betta has swim bladder disorder when it can no longer control its buoyancy and swim properly.
Fish often float at the water’s surface, lying on their sides, or they sink to the bottom.
Swim bladder disorder is the result of various issues. In betta fish, the main problem usually stems from overfeeding.
In the past, the hobby referred to the disorder as a “disease,” though that definition is incorrect. We cannot call it a disease because it results from many different things.
Swim bladder disorder can also stem from shock, low water quality, and infection.
A fish often suffers from many things simultaneously, making swim bladder disorder inevitable.
How Fatal Is Swim Bladder Disorder?
Swim bladder disorder doesn’t need to be fatal if caught and treated early. Fish that don’t receive treatment will eventually die; they cannot swim or live normally.
The difficult part of treating the disorder is determining what is causing it.
For instance, swim bladder disorder from a bacterial infection needs antibiotics. The caretaker might mistakenly think the condition is a result of constipation. They treat the fish for constipation rather than infection. The fish is not constipated, and its health continues declining.
Hobbyists who figure out the cause have a better chance of helping their fish.
The primary issue needs addressing before the swim bladder can begin to heal.
Is Swim Bladder Disorder Contagious?
Swim bladder disorder is not contagious itself. The issue causing the swim bladder problem may be.
Most bettas develop swim bladder problems because of constipation, which is not contagious.
Bettas that have parasitic or bacterial infections are highly contagious. Quarantine sick fish from others in the tank.
The Causes Of Swim Bladder Disorder
Swim bladder disorder has many causes, including shock, infection, genetics, and injury. In betta fishes, overfeeding and poor water conditions are the primary culprits.
Constipation & Overfeeding
Constipation from overfeeding is the leading cause of swim bladder issues in bettas.
Caretakers frequently overfeed their bettas. Sources often contradict one another on how much to feed bettas. It can be confusing, especially for new owners.
Bettas do not feel “full” and will continue to eat as long as food is available. Their tiny stomachs can’t hold much, making overfeeding easy.
Overfeeding causes constipation, which leads to swim bladder disorder.
Overfeeding over long periods also causes fatty deposits inside the swim bladder.
Fortunately, constipation-induced swim bladder disorder is one of the easiest conditions to treat.
How Much To Feed Bettas
Generally, owners should feed about two to three pellets of food once or twice a day. That equals only a tiny pinch of food for those providing anything other than pellets.
Dry Foods Expand
Caretakers should know that pellets and other dry foods expand when wet, which is one reason it’s easy to overfeed. Five pellets might not seem like a lot until they hit the water and expand, taking up more space in the fish’s stomach.
Swallowing Air
Bettas may swallow too much air during feeding, contributing to constipation. Such a problem mainly occurs when fish eat low-quality foods. Provide them with nutritionally-rich foods to help prevent problems.
It’s best to soak pellets before feeding. Doing so prevents the fish from swallowing too much air. It also keeps them from consuming too much food since it will have already expanded.
Poor Water Conditions
Poor water conditions are a common cause of swim bladder disorder in betta fish.
Bettas often live in small bowls without filtration. The water becomes toxic, having high levels of ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. Their immune system lowers, and the betta can’t fight off illness.
Cold Water
Cold water causes lowered immunity that can lead to swim bladder problems.
The fish’s metabolism slows down in cold water, meaning they can’t digest their food fast enough. Slow digestion combined with lots of food leads to constipation.
Bettas are tropical fish that need temperatures between 75-81°F (23.4-27.2°C).
Shock
Shock occurs when a fish’s environment changes too quickly, and its body can’t adapt. Bettas usually go into shock if sudden temperature or pH changes occur.
Nutritionally-Deficient Food
Fish that eat nutrient-poor foods over long periods may develop swim bladder issues.
Bettas need high-quality foods with lots of protein.
Genetics
Some bettas are more likely to experience swim bladder issues due to their genetics.
Injury
Bettas can experience injury from sharp decorations, mirrors, or aggressive tank mates.
Injuries often become infected without treatment, leading to swim bladder disorder.
Parasites
Internal and external parasites cause a lot of trauma to a betta’s body and can cause swim bladder disorder. Parasites that infect the stomach and intestines are most likely to cause a problem.
Parasites usually affect fish when the water quality is poor and the betta’s immune system drops.
They can also enter a tank by failing to quarantine new tank mates properly.
Bacterial Infections
Bacterial infections cause trauma and stress that can result in swim bladder issues.
Swim bladder issues don’t usually develop until the infection is severe. Treatment may be difficult once the infection has progressed to this stage.
Like parasites, bacterial infections usually occur because of poor water quality. The betta’s immune system doesn’t work properly, leaving it susceptible to infection.
Kidney Cysts
Bettas can develop cysts in their kidneys, though it’s rare.
Unfortunately, there’s not much to do other than keep the fish comfortable.
Egg-Binding
Females can fill up with unfertilized eggs they cannot release.
Symptoms Of Swim Bladder Disorder
The primary and most obvious symptom of swim bladder disorder is buoyancy trouble. Floating or sinking is something every fish with swim bladder disorder will experience.
The other symptoms bettas experience depends on the cause of the swim bladder issues.
Floating
Most bettas with swim bladder disorder float to the top of their tank. The floating is a result of an overinflation of the swim bladder. The betta cannot release the air and sinks further into the water column.
Many bettas float on their sides at the top of the tank because they cannot even hold themselves upright.
Sinking
Sometimes, swim bladder disorder causes a betta to sink to the bottom of the tank. It results from an underinflation of the swim bladder. The fish cannot swim higher in the water column.
Sinking is particularly troublesome for bettas because they have labyrinth organs. The labyrinth organ allows them to breathe air from the surface. The adaptation results from the low oxygen content found in their natural habitat.
A betta that cannot swim to the surface for air will eventually suffocate.
Symptoms Due To Gastrointestinal Issues
The most common cause of swim bladder disorder in betta fish is overfeeding. Too much overfeeding leads to constipation.
Their stomachs grow large, they become lethargic, and they can’t swim well. Their poop becomes long and stringy because they are unable to defecate.
Enlarged Abdomen (Bloat)
Swim bladder disorders often pair with large abdomens, a condition we call “bloat.” The fish has too much food and/or feces in their digestive tract, causing their belly to swell.
Curving Spine
A curving spine is a common symptom of constipation-induced swim bladder disorder.
An arching spine is also a symptom of dropsy. It is a condition far more severe and less treatable than swim bladder disorder. Look out for symptoms of dropsy, like pineconing, before deciding on treatment.
Loss Of Appetite
Bettas dealing with gastrointestinal issues will eat less or may not eat at all. Hobbyists often see them trying to eat, only to spit out their food.
Healthy bettas have a hearty appetite; not eating clearly indicates something is wrong.
Lethargy & Trouble Swimming
Having buoyancy trouble makes it difficult enough for bettas to swim. An enlarged abdomen makes swimming even more challenging and uncomfortable.
Bettas often become lethargic and may rest in one spot most of the day. Their buoyancy troubles may cause them to float upside down or on their sides.
Symptoms Due To Shock
Fish that go into shock will have trouble breathing. Their gills will flutter rapidly, and they’ll gasp at the water’s surface for air.
The rest of their bodies become still. Bettas display lethargy and often stop swimming altogether.
Their bodies usually become pale as well.
Swim Bladder Disorder From Parasitic Or Bacterial Infections
A betta suffering from an infection will suffer from some or all of the above symptoms. They are also likely to suffer other irritating and painful symptoms.
- Flashing – Parasites on the outside of the body are irritating. Bettas rub themselves against decorations for relief. We refer to this behavior as “flashing” because fish dart erratically around the tank.
- Transparent & Stringy Poop – A betta’s poop becomes stringy because they’re not eating much.
- Redness & Inflammation – White stringy parasites might visibly protrude from the betta’s body. The skin may become red and swollen around the penetration site.
- Fin Clamping – Many fish suffering from parasites experience fin clamping. Their fins stick close to the body. Fin clamping makes swimming challenging, and fish usually become more lethargic.
How To Prevent Swim Bladder Disorder
Swim bladder disease is easily preventable. Aquarists should feed nutritious food and maintain healthy water parameters.
Keep The Tank Clean
Ensure the tank has a filter to catch small and large waste particles to keep the tank clean. A sponge filter with gentle flow is usually best for bettas.
Keep up on cleanings and water changes. Remove 15-30% of the water once a week with 10-gallon tanks or larger. Clean two to three times a week for smaller tanks.
Maintain Healthy & Stable Water Parameters
Having healthy water conditions that remain stable are key to keeping a betta healthy.
Bettas are relatively easy to please, though they have specific water requirements.
A betta’s water parameters should look like this:
- Ammonia: 0 ppm
- Nitrites: 0 ppm
- Nitrates: >40 ppm
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- Temperature: 75-81°F (23.9-27.2°C)
Avoid quick shifts in the water parameters, particularly pH and temperature. Rapid changes can cause shock.
Only alter the temperature by 1-2° and the pH by 0.1-0.2 a day.
Always check the temperature and pH of new water before putting it in the tank. Match the temperature and pH as close to the main tank as possible.
Feed Nutritious Foods
Feed high-quality protein-rich foods made specifically for bettas. Avoid foods with plant content, like tropical fish foods.
Buy foods from reputable brands, like Fluval’s Bug Bites. Low-quality foods often contain air, which contributes to constipation.
Give bettas a variety. Occasionally change out their pellets or flakes for frozen or live foods.
Soak Food & Avoid Overfeeding
Soak pellets and freeze-dried foods before offering them to a betta. They will expand in the water and take up more space.
Soaking prevents hobbyists from feeding the betta more than their stomachs can hold.
Remember that bettas have a huge appetite. They will continue eating even when their stomach is full. Avoid overfeeding at all costs.
Soaking also prevents bettas from swallowing air when they come to the surface to gulp food.
Avoid Injury
Avoid injury as it causes trauma and leaves bettas susceptible to infection.
- Keep bettas safe by housing them with peaceful fish.
- Avoid hard and sharp decorations like plastic plants.
- Remove mirrors from the tank as they stress bettas. They may run into them and experience a head injury.
How To Treat Swim Bladder Disorder
How hobbyists treat their fish depends on what is causing the swim bladder disorder. The most challenging and crucial part of treatment is figuring out what is wrong.
For instance, a constipation-induced swim bladder needs a different treatment than a parasitic infection.
For SBD Related To Gastrointestinal Issues
Gastrointestinal issues are the most common cause of swim bladder issues in bettas. They are also the easiest issues to treat.
Fasting and feeding daphnia is often all it takes to make a betta feel better.
Always move the betta to a hospital tank if they live in a community environment.
Fasting
Constipated bettas don’t need more food; fast them for one to two days to help clear their digestive tract.
Increase The Water Temperature
Raising the water temperature to around 80-82°F (26.7-27.8°C) helps speed up the betta’s metabolism. A faster metabolism helps move things through the body to relieve constipation.
Often, fasting and warm temperatures are enough to relieve constipation.
A betta still constipated after two days of fasting may need to eat some daphnia.
Feed Daphnia
Daphnia has a high fiber content and helps move things along in the digestive tract.
Frozen (thawed), freeze-dried, or live daphnia will do.
Remember not to overfeed.
DO NOT feed bettas peas — they cannot digest plant material. Many sources tell hobbyists to feed their bettas peas for constipation. Unfortunately, this is inaccurate advice.
Peas are great for relieving constipation in goldfish. They are also prone to swim bladder disease. Goldfish are omnivores that eat lots of plant matter and can easily digest peas, unlike bettas. u
Epsom Salt Bath
Doing short Epsom salt baths can help relieve a constipated betta.
Follow directions exactly when attempting this. Using the wrong measurements can shock the fish.
Remove the fish from the bath and immediately place them back in their tank if they aren’t moving. There is likely too much salt in the bath, and they are going into shock.
Here’s how to give an Epsom salt bath:
- Place 1 gallon of conditioned tap water into a clean container.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt into the water until it dissolves completely.
- Mix half a gallon of the betta’s aquarium water into the container. (Make sure to replace the water taken from the tank.)
- Allow the betta to rest in the bath for 10 to 15 minutes. Don’t leave them there any longer, even if the bath doesn’t relieve their constipation.
- Epsom salt baths are usually effective in relieving constipation in a few minutes.
- Sometimes, bettas won’t defecate in the bath but will defecate throughout the day.
- Watch the betta throughout the day. Check if they’re pooping and if their activity levels are increasing.
For SBD Related To Shock
Unfortunately, there isn’t much hobbyists can do to treat issues caused by shock.
Keep the water warm and the tank dark to ease the betta’s stress.
Shock can be fatal, though they can recover with enough rest.
For SBD Related To Parasitic Or Bacterial Infection
Infections need treatment with medications rather than fasting. The kind of medication depends on whether the infection is parasitic or bacterial.
Move the betta to a quarantine tank for treatment if they live in a community environment.
Some good medications for bacterial infections:
- API Fin & Body Cure
- Erythromycin
- Maracyn ii
- Amoxicillin
- Seachem Polyguard
- Seachem Kanaplex
Some good medications for parasitic infections:
- API General Cure
- Malachite Green
- Metronidazole
- Seachem Paraguard
- Seachem Polyguard
Always follow the instructions on the bottle of medication. Overdosing can be fatal while underdosing won’t heal the fish.
Never stop treatment early, especially with parasitic medications.
Parasites have several life stages, and medication is only effective part of the time. Stopping treatment early means many parasites will survive to reproduce.
Don’t use API medications that end in “fix,” like “melafix” or “bettafix.”
These medications work well for other fish species. They are often lethal for bettas and other fish with labyrinth organs.
“Fix” medications contain melaleuca (tea tree) oil. The oil clings to the water’s surface where bettas go to get air.
They ingest some of the oil. It coats their labyrinth organ and makes breathing difficult. Bettas that ingest too much oil can suffocate.
Supportive Measures
Some treatments won’t correct swim bladder disorder. They will keep the betta comfortable during treatment.
Keep The Water Clean
Pristine water reduces stress and helps bettas heal more quickly. Water high in toxins will prevent healing.
Use Aquarium Salt
Aquarium salt is excellent for reducing stress and promoting healing.
Follow the directions on the package to know how much to use.
Do not use aquarium salt in tanks with plants or invertebrates.
Reduce Flow & Water Level
Keep the water levels low to make it easier for them to surface for air. Keep the flow-rate low for easier swimming.
Bettas are weak swimmers, to begin with. Swim bladder issues make swimming more difficult.
Use Stress Coat
Add API Stress Coat to the water to help with healing. The medication promotes the production of the slime coat. It can help fish avoid ulcers and sores if stuck floating at the top.
Long-term exposure to the air can cause these sores.
>FAQs
Can Swim Bladder Disease Go Away On Its Own?
Swim bladder issues caused by constipation may go away on their own.
Treating the constipated betta is better for relieving discomfort more quickly. It also prevents the problem from worsening.
Infection-caused swim bladder disorders will not go away independently and need treatment.
How Long Can Fish Live With Swim Bladder Disease?
How long a fish can live with swim bladder disease depends on the cause and severity of the disorder.
We must first solve the primary issue causing the condition for the betta to have any kind of life.
Some fish can live a long time, even with buoyancy problems. Often, it’s kindest to euthanize the fish in these cases as they won’t have much quality of life.
