Swimbladder problems again:(

[dramaqueen]

thanks. He's not real happy about being in a smaller container but he seems ok so far.

[aunt kymmie]

Just wondering...how's he doing today?

[dramaqueen]

He's floating off and on. Petsmart didn't have freeze dried daphnia and I just don't want to mess with the frozen. I'm going to look at another petstore in another day or two. I don't drive and have to have someone to take me. He DID poop a little. I haven't really fed him in the last few days.

[xst3ph90x]

You could also use a pea instead of daphnia. Its probably in your house already so you wouldn't have to go anywhere.

[dramaqueen]

Yeah, I may try that if he doesn't get any better. He's been pooping and not floating as much. I'm going to put him back in his regular home tomorrow.

[Kim]

Do you have a heater? My rescue betta had swim bladder issues off and on until I took him in. Now that he's in a heated tank among other changes he's never had a problem.

If I had to make a guess I'd say that it is because at lower temps the body can not metabolize correctly, leading to constipation and consequent pressure on the swim bladder. If you don't have a heater I'd strongly suggest that you get at least a 2.5 gallon tank and heat it. I wouldn't put him in a smaller tank for treatment either, it isn't going to do him any good and water quality will just deteriorate faster, leading to more stressful water changes.

I hope he gets better soon!

[dramaqueen]

Kim, can a heater be put in a 1 and 1/2 gal or 2 gal acrylic critter keeper?

[dramaqueen]

He seems better the last 2 days. (crossing my fingers) He's back in his regular container now. I put him in there to monitor his pooping. I guess I could have done that in his permanant home and just took the rocks out. I'm going to fast my fish once a week and feed the daphnia.

[aunt kymmie]

Your daphnia will be there tomorrow. I just tracked my FedEx shipment online and delivery is expected tomorrow so hopefully that will help. Hope so...

[dramaqueen]

Thanks, Aunt Kymmie. We are having an ice storm right now so it may not be until the next day.