Re: Swimbladder Answers
#91
Dan, and Glowlock, and others writing about swim bladder troubles, I have this to report.
Our little blackmoor, Freddy, was the treasured pet of my 7-year-old grandson. I was the one who took care of him, however.
Freddy lived mostly at the bottom of the tank, on his side, with a hugely swollen belly.
Other than that oddity he seemed quite happy, and we puzzled for two or three years what to do.
Grandson got the idea of finally taking him to a vet for advice. We found one who specialized in "exotic pets," fish especially.
Here is what we found out, for the $95 visit.
1. The vet did not mention ANY of the cures I've read about here, not one.
2. Vet said if he was eating enthusiastically that he was happy and not in pain. Freddy went into frenzies of ecstasy when his pellets hit the water, and he gobbled them eagerly, so yes, he was "enthusiastic."
I wish we had let well-enough alone.
The vet got our permission (grandson was with me) to do a needle stick to try to evacuate the air. That was the only remedy discussed--nothing to do with food, water, etc.
We went home. Eight hours later, Freddy was dead.
I'll leave conclusions up to readers. Mine, however, was that we should have saved our $95 and left Freddy alone. I guess we did learn how to tell if a fish is contented: if he's eating eagerly.
If I'd known that one fact, Freddy would still be alive.
I wish you all well with your fish.
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