Fish move in a wavelike rhythm by bending one way then the other. By doing this over and over, the fish is moving forward, which we call swimming. Some fish move faster than others by swishing their tails (caudal fin) from side to side, much like a sail. The caudal fin is assisted by the pectoral fin. The matter is horizontally located on the body of a fish, and the pelvic fins. These fins act as stabilizers that prevent fish from rolling over as they graciously move in the water.
Pelvic and pectoral fins in slow-moving fish act as brakes and assist with challenging maneuvers. It comes in handy for fish that use Coral reefs as its’ habitat due to frequent movements when chasing prey or running away from predators. Trunkfish, filefish, and puffers use pectoral fins exclusively for swimming.
Fish have captured the attention of people in general as they make beautiful pets that keep us entertained. Fish are being domesticated in our homes, offices, and many areas that humans interact for their unique features. There are fish that are best suited for freshwater and saltwater. Fish in the aquarium are a sight to see with their beautiful colors as they swim. When their swimming habits or patterns change to erratic, then you have to worry, and you are called into action. When fish swim in circles, backward, up and down, and inconsistent patterns; are some of the most natural movements that you have to note and learn about fish. Understanding these patterns will help you know when it’s normal for your fish and when there is a cause for alarm.
Reason why my Fish Swimming Sideways?
Swim bladder disease is common in fish; it’s a symptom that can have many different causes. It’s not a disease; therefore, not contagious, so other fish in the tank may not get the problem but are at risk too. If early detected, the swim bladder symptoms can be cured!
Symptoms of Swim Bladder Disorder
The swim bladder usually inflates to assist the fish stay afloat, and when this bladder is affected then the fish may have unusual behaviors;
- Fish floating to the top upside-down
- Signs of a swollen belly
- The fishtail is higher than the head as it swims
- Fish sinks to the bottom
- Banging or rubbing on the glass or items
- Swimmming erratically
- Fish swims continuously in circles
Fish Floating to the top
The matter is an indication that there’s a problem with the swim bladder. When the bladder becomes blocked, too full, or has an infection, the bladder cannot function properly. Swimming upside-down doesn’t mean that the fish is dead. Catching the disorder on time can arrest the problem and save the fish from dying. Infection in fish can be due to a dirty tank, and you can learn how to clean an aquarium tank easily. Here are some of the causes of the bladder to swell:
- Over-eating which affects the liver
- Organ infection
- Constipation
- Consumption of air when feeding
- Kidneys cysts formation
Fish Banging on the Glass or Items in the tank
Banging or rubbing against the tank is a sign of “flashing” or “itchy fish”. If you notice these signs in your fish, know they could have parasites. If flashing, check for tiny white specks on your fish, which is a symptom of a parasite called Itch. It’s common in both salt and freshwater fish. Skin or gill flukes, though hard to spot, have similar erratic swimming behavior. Always check on the gill appearance; fading in color or the presence of excessive mucus is a sign of fluke or gill flukes. A veterinarian that deals with aquatic life will have remedies for these symptoms, which can be to quarantine these fish that are affected.
Fish Swimming Erratically
Do your fish swim frantically, with no routing or purpose? Irregular swim patterns by your fish may mean some of the following issues. Improper water quality, which is brought about by a rise in water PH. Require high amounts of nitrates, ammonia build-up. Changes in the water quality are a common occurrence; it’s advisable to have frequent water tests to be safe.
Your Fish Continuously Swimming in Circles
Your fish swimming in circles is common, but a Goldfish, behaving like this may mean it has ammonia poisoning. Nitrate and Ammonia are poisonous, and in the aquarium they can react, poisoning the fish if the right amounts are not observed. The remedy for Ammonia poisoning is to immediately stop feeding the fish, do regular small changes of water in the aquarium. You should maintain good aeration of the water in the aquarium tank always. Check for Ammonia build-up through frequent testing, and if they are lower than 0 ppm, only then should you feed your fish.
How to Prevent Swim Bladder Disorder
Make it a habit to check the water in the aquarium and rectify any diversity that you discover. Aquarium water should be clean, aerated, changed frequently, and observe tank cleanliness. Water temperatures should be a bit high, which helps in digestion and avoid your fish from constipating. Avoid feeding poor-quality food to fish and consider soaking dried food for a while before you can feed the fish.
Properly thaw refrigerated food before feeding and switch to sinking food for fish that swallow more air while feeding at the top of the tank. You must have over-fed once or more in your life, remember the discomfort? Fish are animals too, and you, the superior, being should know the right amounts of food to give your fish to avoid over-feeding. You should take care of your pet passionately and have an aquatic vet that you can always call in case of emergencies and thorough treatment of the fish.
Swim Bladder Disorder Treatment
- You should raise the water temperatures to 70-800F. This aids in easier digestion for the fish. Digestion in fish is slow if the temperatures are low; this leads to constipation, thus swim bladder disorder.
- A lot of swim bladder issues are caused by feeding problems; you should let your fish fast for three days. Fasting allows the digest and uses the food it had over-fed and allows its organs, stomach, and intestines to shrink. Feed the fish on the fourth-day of the symptoms has subsided.
- Cooked peas are ideal for feeding fish, which can be fed for a few days before you revert to quality food as advised by your vet. The peas should be pealed, of course. You should avoid food that floats, and if the fish has problems swimming to the surface or the bottom, hold the food in your hand and release it near the fish where it can easily feed. You can revert to skewering a pea with a toothpick and lowering to the proximity of the fish.
- Monitoring the symptoms of the fish is a vital role for you to tell if it responds to the above treatment administered or if it requires more treatment from a veterinarian. Some diseases require veterinary administering antibiotics to the fish. There could be an untreatable disease, such as a failed organ or internal damage. Cases are best handled by an expert in this field.
Other Additional Remedies Worth Noting
- Lowering the water levels in the aquarium to ease the movement of fish around the tank
- Addition of small amounts of aquarium salt to the tank
- Application of stress coat to exposed parts of the fish to the air is necessary to avoid the fish developing sores
- You can add a little fiber to the diet as too much food may cause constipation
- The currents flowing into the tank can be reduced
- You should ensure that the water PH is at the required levels
- If you try the above treatments and the fish doesn’t respond, euthanasia can be applied
Final Thoughts
When your fish swims sideways, it’s almost certain it’s swim bladder disorder. The above steps are proven ways of preventing and treating disorders. Use the techniques if your fish has any of the above signs. On questions about your fish’s behavior or proper set-up of your aquarium visit the local Petco and talk to a specialist who can give you sound advice. There is a recommended fish-keeper toolkit for those that have a dream of harboring fish in their homes or offices for their beauty; sinking pellets, Bacterial infection treatment, aquarium salt, and swim bladder treatment. Having these four essential requirements will help you be ready for any outcome.
There are different species of fish that do well in salt or freshwater: keep in mind which of the species is best suited for you and the accessibility of the required water for frequent changes.