Silver Dollar Sick

[c_paan]

My silver Dollar had a bit of a bad spell this weekend. I noticed him really fighting to stay down in the water, He would turn on to his side and float to the top of the tank.
I moved him to his own tank added salt and melafix and rasied the temp. Im geussing its something to do with his swimming bladder. Will this go away?

Since I medicated him he has done a complete 180 and is swimming fine and doesnt seem to float up to the top involentarily anymore. Are my problems over now or will he be stuck with this and eventualy pass on?

 

[c_paan]

Help please??

 

[cindywindy]

c_paan,

Loss of natural bouyancy in fish indicates a swimbladder disorder, the exact cause of which can be very difficult to determine. The first course of treatment for this ailment is the addition of Daphnia to the fish's diet. Daphnia is a natural laxative for fish and will correct the swimbladder problem if it is caused by an overly-full intestine resting against it, causing swimming difficulties. However, if this is not the case, the cause can be a bit more difficult to determine, ranging from genetic disorders to bacterial infections.

That the use of Melafix corresponded to an overall improvement in your fish's condition, it would be easy to conclude that it was the cure to the ailment, but in fact Melafix is a natural extract of the melaleuca plant and is useful on superficial skin and fin wounds and not all that effective on swimbladder dysfunction.

How is your fish now ?

 

[c_paan]

He seems very very good, swimming arund like nothing was ever bothering him in the first place. Should I still get some of that Daphnia? Is this just another food suplimant you can buy? Or is it food you feed inspecial cases such as this?

 

[cindywindy]

I'm so happy to hear about your fish's return to health !

Many fishkeepers do supplement their fishes' diets with Daphnia so it would be perfectly fine if you wanted to go this route. Daphnia is generally kept in the frozen/refridgerated food section of your LFS and most stores do carry it. It is fine for use as an occasional treat, or to include as part of a healthy, varied diet.

 

[c_paan]

Thanks for the help cindywindy!