Swim Bladder In Bettas?

Swim bladder disease (or failure) is a pretty common issue for fish, especially goldfish and bettas. The swim bladder is what helps them stay afloat, and when it doesn’t work right, they can struggle with swimming. You might notice your betta floating at the surface, having trouble staying down, or even sinking to the bottom. One of the first signs that your betta has swim bladder issues is a swollen area on their side—just in the center of their body, not their stomach.

The good news? There are ways to help your fish recover, depending on what’s causing the problem.

 

Step 1: Identify the Cause

Before diving into treatment, it’s important to figure out what’s causing the swim bladder failure. Some common culprits are:

• Overfeeding (especially fatty foods)

• Constipation or bloating

• Poor water quality (ammonia, nitrites, or high nitrates)

• Injury or trauma

• Infection or disease

• Old age

 

Step 2: Adjust Diet

If overfeeding or constipation seems to be the issue, adjusting the diet is key. Try fasting your fish for 24-48 hours to give their digestive system time to reset. After that, offer high-fiber foods like bloodworms or daphnia. These can help with digestion and relieve constipation. Avoid feeding anything other than meat, so skip things like de-shelled peas—those can actually make things worse for bettas.

 

Step 3: Improve Water Quality

Make sure the water in the tank is clean and the parameters are within safe levels. Test for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, and do a water change if needed. A good rule of thumb: if ammonia is above zero, that’s likely your issue.

 

Step 4: Epsom Salt Bath (For Constipation)

For fish dealing with constipation, an Epsom salt bath can help relax their muscles and pull out excess fluids. Prepare a quarantine tank with a mild Epsom salt solution (1-2 teaspoons per gallon) and place your fish in it for 2-5 minutes. Then, return them to their main tank. This can relieve bloating and help with swim bladder function. But don’t do this if your fish has pineconing (scales sticking out), as that could make it worse.

 

Step 5: Adjust Temperature and Conditions

Make sure the tank’s temperature is between 80-83°F. Warmer water can help with digestion, which is especially important for tropical fish like bettas.

 

Step 6: Limit Stress

Stress can make swim bladder issues worse, so it’s important to reduce any environmental stress. Aggressive tank mates or sudden changes in their environment can cause your fish to panic, which won’t help them recover. A calm, stable tank is the way to go.

 

Conclusion

Recovering from swim bladder failure takes patience and attention, but with the right diet, proper water quality, and addressing any health issues, your fish can bounce back. With a little care, many fish can regain their buoyancy and swim normally again!