Swim bladder disease and 'dropsy'
Buoyancy problems are relatively common in ornamental fish but the causes can vary.
Over-inflated swim bladders can occur in certain types of fancy goldfishes, causing the fish to swim on one side or even upside down. They can be difficult to treat and expert help should be sought.
Other buoyancy problems can be caused by excess gas in the bowel which can be associated with certain parasites or bacteria. Trapped air, constipation and internal bacterial infections are the most common causes of this problem, usually referred to as ‘Dropsy’.
The cause needs to be identified in order for the correct treatment to be administered. Again expert help is recommended.
