Bloating Disorders-SBD and Dropsy

**Ichthius**

Is your fish bloated or having difficulty swimming? Find out why here.

One of the most common bloating disorders in aquarium kept fish is Swim Bladder Disorder (SBD). The cause of SBD ranges from simple problems like constipation and trauma to infections, bacterial or parasitic. The causes are later to be discussed.

Dropsy is another disorder that involves bloating of the fish’s abdomen as a symptom. SBD can be a symptom of dropsy. Dropsy is usually fatal and painful for fish to endure. Both of these problems will be addressed in further detail in this article.

Causes of Swim Bladder Disorder

Constipation – Probably the least sever cause of SBD is constipation. This occurs from feeding your fish too much or using very rich (bloodworms, krill, etc) as a staple part of the diet. The excess food becomes blocked and unable to pass through the intestines and stomach. This causes them to expand and put pressure on surrounding organs, in this case, the vital swim bladder organ.

Bacterial causes – These two causes, constipation and bacterial infection, are the two likelier to occur and often do. Your fish may develop a bacterial infection in its swim bladder organ. The infection may cause the organ to harden or swell, again causing the bloating and discomfort. The cause of the bacterial infection is linked to the health of the aquarium. A dirty aquarium or an overstocked one provides a great home for potential infection.

Trauma – Less often, and possibly more severe, is trauma as a cause. Smaller fish can become injured and their swim bladder organs may become injured or ruptured as well. Trauma can occur from simple cases like pouring water directly onto a fish or from being bullied by unsuitable tank mates. (Trauma will not be covered in the treatment section. Preventing infection and stress is key for the fish to heal properly. If the swim bladder organ is ruptured, there is usually not much that can be done.”

Birth Defect – Some fish have preexisting problems with their SB organ. The fry may have not been fed properly, which lead to a defect in development, or in the case of livebearers, were born with the problem.

Parasitic Infection – An internal parasitic infection may lead to SBD. It’s less likely to be parasitic, but if the other more common causes are ruled out, it’s best to treat for parasites.

Symptoms of SBD

Inability to maintain balance; the fish cannot swim or float straight.
Fish stays near the top of the aquarium unable to keep itself down.
The Fish stays near the bottom of the aquarium unable to swim upwards without struggling.

Treatment of SBD

Treatment can be a tedious process if you do not know what the cause is. For this reason, you must treat and find the cause at the same time. Easier than it sounds.

The first cause to rule out is a defect from birth. This is easily done. By knowing the history of your fish (e.g., if you bred the fish yourself or bought it from a breeder) you can easily find out if a chance of defect occurred. If the fish is older and the SBD developed recently, I personally wouldn’t conclude that a defect is the cause. Secondly, think back to any instances that the fish may have been injured. With those two causes ruled out, you can move on to other causes.

To rule out constipation, fast the fish for 3 days or more for the digestive system to clear. This will relieve the pressure from the stomach/intestines and remove the blockage (if a blockage isn’t the cause of the SBD, a clear intestinal tract will only relieve excess pressure on the organ in the end. In that case, this treatment is a win win situation). In other words, always fast the fish when treating for SBD to be certain.

If not constipation, the next cause to treat or rule out is a bacterial infection. Treat with an antibiotic, such as Maracyn I & II. Follow the directions for the medication according to the size of the tank the fish is being treated in. Lowering the water can help the fish to regain some buoyancy and relieve pressure on the SB organ.

Last to treat for is parasites. Treat with a medication for internal parasites. If the fish is still eating, you may be able to feed him medicated food for parasitic infections. Jungle Labs makes a tablet treatment for parasites (Tank Buddies Parasite Clear).

What You Should Always Do When Treating SBD

Lower the water in the tank the fish is being treated in (removes pressure on the organ; helps labyrinth fish in easier respiration).

Fast the fish (removes pressure on the SB organ and could be the only treatment needed).

Extra Notes on SBD

By following these steps in treating SBD and understanding how if affects your fish, you won’t be lead to use a number of medications, if not necessary. Using medications when not necessary can lead to a resistance in cases when you really do need it; it may also harm your fish.

When the SBD has been treated and removed, there is a chance that your fish may still have difficulty swimming or appear slightly bloated. Be sure that this is just a unfortunate after math of the disorder, rather than a sign that treatment has failed.

Dropsy and its Causes

Dropsy is caused by a bacterial infection of the kidneys. The infection causes excess body fluids to build up in the kidneys and surrounding areas. The fluid then causes the abdomen of the fish to swell and resemble a pine cone (if a number of scales protrude). In chronic dropsy, which is easier to treat, less of the scales protrude from the body. The infection occurs in poorly kept aquaria or otherwise compromised fish. By the time the fish resembles a pine cone, it’s often too late and irreversible.

Symptoms of Dropsy

Bloating
One or more protruding scales
Difficulty swimming/maintaining balance
Symptoms of SBD

Treatment

Properly clean the aquarium/large (30% + water changes)
Treating with an antibiotic added to the food is recommended. You can buy medicated food for bacterial infections or treat the food yourself with tetracycline (or a similar antibiotic) and feed it to the infected fish.
If the fish is not eating, treat the aquarium water with an antibiotic such as the ones mentioned above.

The best treatment for dropsy is prevention. Keep the aquarium clean. By doing regular water changes and stocking your aquarium properly, you can easily prevent dropsy and many other infections.

Images of SBD and Dropsy