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My fish is swimming upside down and won't eat. Is it swim bladder?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Fish | Unknown - Fish | Male | 7 months and 9 days old | 0.00440925 lbs

My fish is not swimming and when he does swim he swims upside down. He seems to swim up then let his body swim down? im pretty sure he is going to die tomorrow he doesn't want to eat, he is not bloated he looks just the way I got him, healthy, he doesn't look happy. What wrong with him?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Angel Alvarado, LVT

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on November 10th, 2017

He may be dealing with some swim bladder issues. The swim bladder is what keeps a fish upright and controls buoyancy. Infection, poor water quality or constipation can affect the swim bladder.
Perform a water change. Use aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. My choice for conditioners are AmQuel and NovAqua. You can purchase them in most pet stores or fish stores. Bettas are warm water fish and do best between 78 F and 80 F. Anything below 75 F will be stressful. A small tank heater may be necessary to maintain proper temperature. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt) per gallon of water in a cup of tank water and gently pour it in. This will act as a general tonic reducing stress, improving gill function and treating minor infection. Change the water daily to maintain quality and dissolve just enough salt to treat the water being replaced.
Fast him for 3 days, then offer small bits of cooked, shelled green peas until defecation and swimming are normal. You can soak the bits in some garlic juice to stimulate his appetite and boost the immune system. Transition to a quality pelleted diet and fast for one day each week to maintain GI health.

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Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on October 28th, 2017

    Check water temperature and chemistry. Bettas do best between 78 F and 80 F. Unless the room is very warm, a small heater is typically required.
    Without a filter, frequent water changes are necessary to prevent elevated levels of ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. All can be toxic to fish at high levels. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock.
    Plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt) can be used as a general tonic, to reduce stress, to treat minor infection and to aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Perform daily water changes, using aquarium salt for 10-14 days. If there is no improvement, consider a broad spectrum antibiotic. You can find one in the aquarium section of the local pet or fish store. Follow label directions carefully.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Health & Wellness
My fish is on its side, struggling to swim. What should I do?
Check water chemistry first. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. Aim for an absence (0 ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20 ppm or less. Perform a partial water change to stabilize water chemistry and/or to improve water quality. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. Bettas do best between 78 F and 80 F. By your description, the issue may be swim bladder disease. This can be caused by infection (bacterial or parasites) or constipation. Maintain water quality as described above. Fast the fish for 3 days then resume feeding bits of cooked and shelled green peas. This will help with constipation. If this doesn't help. you can get a broad spectrum antibiotic from the local pet store. Look in the aquarium section. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Why is my fish upside down and bloated? Is it swim bladder disease?
This is a classic sign of swim bladder disorder. Check water quality and chemistry. use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20 ppm or less. pH should hover around 7 and water temp should range between 65 F and 72F. Perform a partial water change is necessary to stabilize chemistry and improve water quality. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Pristine water quality is the foundation for recovery and healing. Next, fast her for 3 days. Resume feeding bits of cooked, shelled green peas until she is swimming and defecating normally. You can fast her one day a week in the future and offer green peas to maintain regularity. If symptoms persist, consider a broad spectrum dewormer and a broad spectrum antibiotic. You can find both in the aquarium section at Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment in indicated.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My betta fish has swim bladder. What's the best way to treat it?
Swim bladder issues can be caused by bacterial infection or constipation. These reasons can be compounded by poor water quality. Use a home test kit or submit a sample of water for testing to confirm 0ppm ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20 ppm or less. Most pet stores will do this for free or for a small fee. Partial water changes can be done to stabilize chemistry and maintain or improve water quality. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Bettas do best between 78F and 80F. Once you have pristine water quality, fast him for 3 days. Resume feeding bits of cooked and shelled green peas until defecation and swimming are normal again. If this doesn't help, consider a broad spectrum antibiotic. You can find one in the aquarium section of the local pet store. Look for Furan, Maracyn 1 and 2 or Kanaplex. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Training & Behavior
My betta is floating sideways and won't eat. What else can I do?
Check the water chemistry and water temperature. Aim for 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with nitrates 30 ppm or below. Water temp should be between 78 F and 80 F. Add only plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt). Add no more than 1 teaspoon per gallon and treat for 10-14 days. Lower the water level by half to make it easier for her to reach the surface. Bettas can breathe room air if necessary. Soak pellets in some garlic juice to stimulate her appetite.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Why is my betta fish sinking and not swimming after overfeeding?
Bump the temperature up to 80 F. The warmer water may aid in digestion. Continue feeding bits of cooked, shelled green peas until he is defecating normally and regularly. If internal parasites are a concern, PraziPro or General Cure (by API) may resolve the issue. PraziPro is safe for the snails. If you decide to use General Cure, it would be safest to remove the snails during treatment.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Why is my fish floating with a curved spine? Is it swim bladder?
Confirm proper water temp. Bettas do best between 78 F and 80 F. Low temps may lead to stress and illness. You can also try a small amount of plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt). Salt can aid healing and acts as a general tonic. Use 1/2-1 teaspoon per gallon of water. Driftwood or Indian Almond Leaf can also be used to condition water.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Why is my fish floating on its side and struggling to swim?
It is possible that she has a swim bladder disorder. Many things can cause this, only some of them reversible. Try feeding her peas for the next few days and see if that helps. If it does, then include them in her diet several times a week.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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