Upside down Coral Beauty

SABOB · 05/12/2009, 09:59 AM

Bought a Coral Beauty about 2 weeks ago,noticed this am he upside down under overflow box in tank,fins are moving.He will try to swim down to substrate then end up under overflow box again,seems like he can't right himself.Is there anything I can do or try?Thanks for suggestions

MeVsTheWorld · 05/12/2009, 10:09 AM

Sounds like his swim bladder is messed up. Might be on his way out

Beaun · 05/12/2009, 10:16 AM

If it is acutally a problem with the swim bladder, which is sounds like, the only solution I have seen with air in the bladder is to make a small hole in the bladder to let the air escape. I've only seen this done on a large fish to do a catch and release, and it amazingly worked. But I've never seen it done with a hobby sized fish.

snorvich · 05/12/2009, 10:32 AM

+1

SABOB · 05/12/2009, 10:36 AM

Thanks for the response although I was hoping for better news.Other fish & inverts doing fine.Any ideas on what messes up swim bladders?

FishBait · 05/12/2009, 10:41 AM

Unless your tank is 100' deep and you rushed him to the top it is likely internal infections that impact swim bladders. Bacterial issues seem to be the most common cause. Heavy loads of parasites can also cause problems, though usually it's a reverse as they compact the bladder making them less buoyant. Does it look like his scales are sticking out, giving almost a pine cone look? I've seen this a lot with dropsy.

mcoomer · 05/12/2009, 12:11 PM

If you have a Qtank I'd get the fish in there and treat with a broad spectrum antibiotic like Maracyn II or Erythromycin. Try posting this in Disease Treatment forum as well.

SABOB · 05/12/2009, 01:16 PM

Unfortunately no QT.Searched Disease/Treatment before posting in Reef Discussion( thought there might be more viewing )

mcoomer · 05/12/2009, 02:10 PM

There is a gel form of the Erythromycin that you might try. You put a drop in front of the fish and it will eat it. That is supposed to allow for treatment without affecting your tank. If the fish is still eating you might try that.

05/12/2009, 09:59 AM	#1
SABOB Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Antonio,TX Posts: 207	Upside down Coral Beauty Bought a Coral Beauty about 2 weeks ago,noticed this am he upside down under overflow box in tank,fins are moving.He will try to swim down to substrate then end up under overflow box again,seems like he can't right himself.Is there anything I can do or try?Thanks for suggestions __________________ To all Military...Thanks for Serving Current Tank Info: 12gl NanoCube,55gl softies,fish

05/12/2009, 10:09 AM	#2
MeVsTheWorld Salt Creep Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stow, Ohio Posts: 1,235	Sounds like his swim bladder is messed up. Might be on his way out __________________ Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. HST "There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. Some kind of high powered mutant never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die." Current Tank Info: Almost Skimmerless 40g breeder w/ 20g sump-cryptic zone T5 & Powerbrite viewed mixed reef

05/12/2009, 10:16 AM	#3
Beaun It's pronounced Bone Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Hampton, NY Posts: 1,967	If it is acutally a problem with the swim bladder, which is sounds like, the only solution I have seen with air in the bladder is to make a small hole in the bladder to let the air escape. I've only seen this done on a large fish to do a catch and release, and it amazingly worked. But I've never seen it done with a hobby sized fish. __________________ -Tyler "The only legitimate use of a computer is to play games." -Eugene Jarvis Current Tank Info: None

05/12/2009, 10:32 AM	#4
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	+1 __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

05/12/2009, 10:36 AM	#5
SABOB Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Antonio,TX Posts: 207	Thanks for the response although I was hoping for better news.Other fish & inverts doing fine.Any ideas on what messes up swim bladders? __________________ To all Military...Thanks for Serving Current Tank Info: 12gl NanoCube,55gl softies,fish

05/12/2009, 10:41 AM	#6
FishBait Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 796	Unless your tank is 100' deep and you rushed him to the top it is likely internal infections that impact swim bladders. Bacterial issues seem to be the most common cause. Heavy loads of parasites can also cause problems, though usually it's a reverse as they compact the bladder making them less buoyant. Does it look like his scales are sticking out, giving almost a pine cone look? I've seen this a lot with dropsy.

05/12/2009, 12:11 PM	#7
mcoomer Rat Bastard! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,487	If you have a Qtank I'd get the fish in there and treat with a broad spectrum antibiotic like Maracyn II or Erythromycin. Try posting this in Disease Treatment forum as well. __________________ Spending exorbitant amounts of money on this hobby since 1998! My wife thought the tank would be cheaper and easier to keep than a dog...no seriously! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef; Reeflo Barracuda, Tunze 6105 (X3), 250W Radiums with dual HQI Blue Wave 7, Reefkeeper Elite controller, custom sump with ASM G4, carbon and GFO reactors

05/12/2009, 01:16 PM	#8
SABOB Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Antonio,TX Posts: 207	Unfortunately no QT.Searched Disease/Treatment before posting in Reef Discussion( thought there might be more viewing ) __________________ To all Military...Thanks for Serving Current Tank Info: 12gl NanoCube,55gl softies,fish

05/12/2009, 02:10 PM	#9
mcoomer Rat Bastard! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,487	There is a gel form of the Erythromycin that you might try. You put a drop in front of the fish and it will eat it. That is supposed to allow for treatment without affecting your tank. If the fish is still eating you might try that. __________________ Spending exorbitant amounts of money on this hobby since 1998! My wife thought the tank would be cheaper and easier to keep than a dog...no seriously! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef; Reeflo Barracuda, Tunze 6105 (X3), 250W Radiums with dual HQI Blue Wave 7, Reefkeeper Elite controller, custom sump with ASM G4, carbon and GFO reactors