Swimbladder Disorder!

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Steveo1987

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 14, 2009
196
0
0
Rep. of Ireland, Dublin
Hi,

I need some help regarding my Ornate Bichir. I was feeding my Ornate last night and noticed it was swimming funny (its head was pointing downwards as if its tail had some bouyancy in it or something), came back the next morning and noticed that it hadnt eaten any of its lancefish?! It usuaully hangs out under my internal filter during the day and it was doing the same today but its tail is floating towards the surface!

Im nearly sure its a swimbladder disorder and was wondering if this has happened to any of your bichirs?! I done a 50% water change today and dosed with some tonic salt (roughly a teaspoon per 6 gallons), my tank is 100 gallons (european).

Thanks alot,

Stephen.
 
When i first got my ornate he was about 8'' and was swimming really weird. After a few days it got worse to the point of where he was completely swimming upside down. I got worried because i didn't think he would be able to come to the top for air so i brought him up in the net for air, not sure if it helped or not. Well after about a week or two he got better and has been swimming fine ever since then. When i went back to the lfs where i got him from i asked the lady about it and she said it happens sometimes to their other ornates and they have been perfectly fine. Not sure if thats whats wrong with your but i hope this helps.
 
Hopefully thats all thats wrong with him! When i was doing the 50% water change, he came to the surface himself and gulped air like they do every now and again?! Its just distressing looking at him trying to fix himself right!

How long did it take for him to come around for you??
 
Ok, things have gotten a whole lot worse over night! My bichir aint even hiding under my bog wood today, hes just at the back of the aquarium with his head on the gravel and his tail pointing straight up?! I dont know what to do now but its sad looking at him like this?! Any ideas??
 
can you post some pics? its hard to tell, perhaps its the air trapped inside/bloat..
 
I decided that the best thing to do was to euthanize my bichir!! He had deteriated very badly over night to the extent where he was on his side with his tail pointing towards the surface! I felt it was humane to stop his pain?! It was a very hard decision but i felt it was the right and most humane thing to do! And trust me, i woulldnt have done this if i didnt believe it was necessary?! This has been the worst day in my fish keeping years and i just want to say thank you for anyone who replied?! He was euthanized in a very pain free way in his sleep!!
 
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