Swim Bladder Problems

[Ant10a]

How much Epsom Salt and how long do I use it for?

[Oldfishlady]

Can you complete this and add-the more detailed the better and a pic...

http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=49233

[Ant10a]

Housing
What size is your tank? - 1 Gallon
What temperature is your tank? - 80
Does your tank have a filter? - No
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? - No
Is your tank heated? - No
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? - None

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? - Flakes
How often do you feed your betta fish? - 2 Times a day (Morning & Night)

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? 3 Times a week
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? 2 - 50% & 1 - 100%
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? Conditioner

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? Can't swim down, when he does he floats to the top. Laying on side.
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? None except the above mentioned.
When did you start noticing the symptoms? This morning, I noticed him not going down, and then later on noticed he was completely on his side.
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? No
Does your fish have any history of being ill? He has had minor fin rot, and has a slight case now that i was treating with Aquarium Salt.
How old is your fish (approximately)? Pet store fish. Had him since June 2012.

[Ant10a]

I just moved into a dorm, and don't have a camera at the moment.

[Oldfishlady]

I would either use a QT (the cup he came in works great) or if you want to treat in his tank-lower the water level to about 3-4 inches for treatment. Cover the top with plastic veggie wrap to retain the heat/humidity for the labyrinth organ, water temp 76-77F. If you use the cup-float it in the heated tank to maintain temp and be sure and attach it so it doesn't sink.

Premix some treatment water in a 1gal jug of dechlorinated water-Add Epsom salt 2tsp/gal and a tannin source if you have one-Either IAL (1 lrg crushed/gal) or Naturally dried and fallen from the tree Oak leaf (20 crushed/gal) Let this steep for 30min-Shake well before use.

Using the premixed treatment water make 25% water changes every 15min for 1 hour today-This will get him acclimated to the new chemistry and start the treatment.
He needs to stay in the QT in the treatment water for the duration of the treatment period of 10-14 days.

Tomorrow-start daily 50% water changes with the premixed treatment water.
If you used a tannin source the water should look darker every day and this is what you want.

Nutrition-good quality varied diet fed in small frequent meals-If you have access to mosquito larva offer several rinsed for one meal a day.

Keep us posted....

[Ant10a]

Ok. Thanks.

[Ant10a]

Got up this morning, and he was back to his usual self :)

How long should I keep the treatments going for?

[Oldfishlady]

Awesome, I would go ahead and do the treatment for at least 4 days-then acclimate him back to his tank after a 50% water change on his tank-then making the 25% water changes every 15 min for 1hour using the tank water in the QT....

Keep us posted.....

[Ant10a]

Thanks :). Will do :)

[Ant10a]

He is completely fine and better :)

Thanks for all the help!