Why is my fish going belly up?
This disorder is sometimes caused by compression of the swim bladder, which may involve a distended stomach from rapidly eating, overeating, constipation, or gulping air, which is thought to occur with floating foods.
Why are fish more likely to go belly up?
To explain, research has shown that the relative position of a fish’s “centre of buoyancy” is, amongst fish with swim bladders, almost universal located below their centre of mass near their stomach, making them quite prone to hydrostatic rolling which is just a fancy way of saying it makes them more likely to go belly up.
Why does a dead fish float on its belly?
Because the spine and muscles on the dorsal side (top) of the fish are more dense, the belly rises up. Depending on how deep a fish was when it died, it might not rise to the surface, at least not until decomposition really sets in.
Why does my Goldfish have an enlarged swim bladder?
When fish overeat they can end up with enlarged internal organs, causing the swim bladder to be compromised. Give the fish a chance to digest the food that it has already eaten and allow its stomach, intestines and other organs to shrink back to normal size. Fasting for three days should not negatively affect your fish.
How are fish affected by swim bladder disorder?
When affected by Swim Bladder Disorder fish will often lose the ability to properly swim. They will float uncontrollably to the top of the aquarium, turned upside down, while still being alive. In some cases the fish will lay upside down or sideways on the bottom, unable to swim upwards.
To explain, research has shown that the relative position of a fish’s “centre of buoyancy” is, amongst fish with swim bladders, almost universal located below their centre of mass near their stomach, making them quite prone to hydrostatic rolling which is just a fancy way of saying it makes them more likely to go belly up.
Because the spine and muscles on the dorsal side (top) of the fish are more dense, the belly rises up. Depending on how deep a fish was when it died, it might not rise to the surface, at least not until decomposition really sets in.
When fish overeat they can end up with enlarged internal organs, causing the swim bladder to be compromised. Give the fish a chance to digest the food that it has already eaten and allow its stomach, intestines and other organs to shrink back to normal size. Fasting for three days should not negatively affect your fish.
Is it normal for a fish to float upside down?
The swim bladder disease in fish is not lethal on its own and it is rather a symptom than an independent condition. Note that in some fish such as the upside-down catfish swimming with the belly up is a normal trait of character.
