Betta's swim bladder disease, symptoms and treatments

Let us start with this critical question: what is swim bladder?
Swim bladder is the organ which enables a fish to control its buoyancy. Instead of swimming constantly, swim bladder does that instead. It helps the fish to save energy and swim much easier. In most fish, this organ has two sections. One is in front of the body behind the head and the other one is by the tail. The front portion is much more secure compared to the back portion. The back portion can move out of place and become damaged more easily.

Betta  fish swim bladder disease 

Swim bladder disease or swim bladder disorder is used to describe any problem related to a betta's swim bladder when it doesn’t work properly. Swim bladder disease isn’t contagious but if it’s related to water quality issues, then other fish may catch it too. Swim bladder issues cause the fish to float one side and be unable to swim straight. In case of a swim bladder problem, it would float to and around the top, rather than swimming to the top. A fish with swim bladder disorder can float nose down tail up or sink to the bottom of the aquarium.

There are several reasons that cause swim bladder disease. Each factor is elaborated on in the below.

A. Overfeeding/Constipation
The most common cause of swim bladder disorder is overfeeding. As bettas are gluttonous and never stop eating, it affects their swim bladder. Overfeeding leads to constipation. Swimming and buoyancy problems, lopsided swimming, struggling to maintain a normal position, affected appetite and lethargy are the symptoms of swim bladder disease caused by overfeeding and constipation. If your betta is swimming to the top, or more like floating around crookedly, it is probably due to overfeeding. 
Try to feed your fish a staple food and frozen food, such as Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, daphnia, and black worms. These foods are much easier for your betta to digest.

B. Shock
If something drastic and stressful happens in the tank, it may lead to swim bladder disorder.  Of course this cause is not very much common. Sudden changes related to temperature or light engender shock.

C. Parasites
Parasitic worms could infect a betta’s intestines and stomach. Poor water quality can bring about this situation. They aren’t usually fatal; however, in extreme cases they can result in swim bladder disease. 

D. Bacterial Infection
Bacterial infection could result in swim bladder disorder. Poor water quality can be the cause. As well as the symptoms mentioned above, clamped fins and shaking are the common symptoms of parasitic and bacterial infection.

E. Low Water Temperature
The temperature below 78°F is not ideal for your tank and may lead to swim bladder disease. Bettas' digestive systems start to slow down in the abovementioned temperature. This situation makes your betta become constipated and some organs swell.

 

 Betta swim bladder disease symptoms

The symptoms are varied. Difficulties with swimming and keeping buoyant are the most common ones. Your betta may swim upside down, sideways or in circles. In some cases it may have problems reaching the top or bottom of the tank. It may stop excreting or eating. If you observe these alongside the swimming difficulties, it indicates that overfeeding or constipation issues are causing the swim bladder issues.
A bloated appearance or an s-curve to the spine may be observed too. This kind of disorder should be taken care of quickly, or there will be consequences.

 Swim bladder disorder treatment

You will have to treat this disease as soon as possible. To do so, first diagnose the type of disorder.  For the swim bladder disease caused by overfeeding, first of all move your betta to a quarantine tank. Do not feed it for 3 days. No worries. It is the process. At this time, try to raise the temperature in the tank up to 80°F. The increased heat will speed up the rate in which the betta digests food.
If the symptoms of swim bladder are still observed after 3 days, feed it baked peas. The peas shouldn’t be mushy. Baked peas are going to act like a laxative to get your betta's digestive system moving. Continue the process for about a week. 2 peas a day will suffice. In case of no improvement, there might be something more serious than constipation.
However, if they didn’t work, dissolve Epsom salt in a separate container of water. Dissolve 1 tbsp for every 5 gallons of water in your betta’s tank. In 10-15 minutes, gently pour it in your betta’s tank. Epsom salt decreases bloat and constipation. Fasting and Epsom salt together helps your betta do better.
In case of bacterial infection make use of melafix. To treat parasite infection use bettamax. 
You can almost do nothing if shock is the cause. Try to turn off the lights and make the temperature right.

 

 betta fish floating at top of the tank

Betta fish usually tend to swim in the center of aquarium, not near the top. However, there might be a problem if your betta always swims on top. In the below, some potential causes to this problem are presented.

A. Lack of oxygenation
Poor water oxygenation and aeration is a cause. Some fish have an organ called labyrinth. It functions like a lung. Betta fish are able to breathe dissolved oxygen in the water and gaseous oxygen in the air.
When there isn’t enough dissolved oxygen in the water, betta fish swim to the top to get some air from above the surface of the water. Needless to say, the surface of water has more dissolved oxygen compared to the bottom.

B. Poor water quality 
Poor water quality is another reason why your betta swims at top. Try to improve the condition.
 
C. Tank Size
If your betta fish does not have enough room to swim around, it might swim to the top of the tank and even jump out of the water to find a larger home. A betta tank has to be at least 3 gallons in size.

D. Plants and rocks
Betta fish love plants and rocks to play with, and swim around. If the tank is bare without any plants, rocks and caves, your fish gets bored and unsatisfied and tries to swim at the top to find a recreation.

E. Filter
Bettas need clean water. It is required that you install a good filter in there. If the water is not filtered properly, your Betta may swim upwards to find a cleaner environment.

F.Water temperature
If the water temperature is not ideal for bettas, they try to jump out. Keep the water temperature ideal and pleasant. It is splendid to be between 25.5 and 26.5 degrees Celsius. Warmer or colder temperature can cause serious health issues 

G. Begging For Food
Your Betta fish is aware that the food always comes from the top. Therefore, if it is hungry, it tries to linger at the top in search of food. 

H. Swim bladder problem
Another reason that your betta swims at the top is swim bladder disorder. However, if it looks healthy, it may not be a swim bladder issue.