Mahfuzul Alam Siam

@mahfuzulsiam · 05 Dec 2021

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Why is my betta fish swimming sideways?

On more than one occasion, you have probably approached the fish tank and wondered: why does my fish swim sideways?

No, he is usually not performing any stunts to get your attention. It is a clear symptom that something is wrong with your body and you are not able to control your own swimming.

The fish behavior is key to knowing what can happen to them. A fish that swims sideways is an obvious sign that there is some disorder in the animal. There are several causes that can cause it. Depending on them, you will have to implement the most appropriate treatment.

My fish swims sideways, what happens to it?
One of the main reasons why a fish swims sideways has to do with a possible swim bladder disease. This structure is what ensures that the fish can stay afloat. If it is not well, the fish will not be able to control its swimming, to the point that it will swim sideways.

The problems swimbladder can come arising from lack of care in the tank. You should pay special attention to having a proper water filter and regular cleaning of the water. Otherwise, the fish habitat will not be the most suitable and they will have trouble surviving.

But it is also a problem that can be caused by a viral infection or bacteria, sudden changes in water temperature, a poor diet, etc. Conditions that will become more apparent depending on the species of the fish.

Other symptoms
However, if I observe that my fish swims from the side, there are other symptoms that it may present, such as appearing with a swollen body or simply not eating. There are several reasons that can lead to this.

The presence of gastrointestinal parasites
Fish can suffer from gastrointestinal parasites (the most frequent are those of the genus Hexamita), which will translate into a change in their swimming habits. When suffering from this problem, the fish retracts the swim fin, so it will tend to swim sideways for a period of time. With proper treatment, you will return to your normal state.

A bacterial infection
A more serious case than the previous one has to do with the presence of a bacterial infection. In this case, not only will the swimming movement of the fish be affected, but its life is in danger of not acting on time. If it is appreciated that the animal begins to swell or does not eat, it is likely that it has an infection of this type.

Recommendations and tips
The most advisable thing in these cases is to visit a specialized veterinarian to find out why your fish is swimming sideways. Depending on the cause, the specialist will determine the treatment to follow.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics are likely to be prescribed, especially if the cause of the side-swim has to do with a bacterial infection. The treatment must be carried out completely to eliminate all possible risks. Remember, of course, that the drugs cannot be poured into the main aquarium, so the affected fish will have to be separated from the rest.

Home care
If you do not go to a specialist, you will have to implement a series of care from home. The steps to follow could be the following:

Separate the fish that swims on its side and transfer it to an aquarium or container with a not very high water level, dechlorinated and well-aerated (the aquarium should not have filters, plants, or ornaments).
Buy a broad-spectrum antibiotic from a specialty store.
Change as much water as possible in the aquarium or container daily.
Does the medicine for each liter of water, as indicated on the product.
Replace only the medicine that was discarded when cleaning the water.
Leave the fish without eating for a few days and then give it small amounts of boiled lettuce.
However, in many cases, it will only be necessary to carry a more adequate and hygienic use of the fish tank. The most important thing will be to clean and change the water at the established times, and use water filters to avoid the presence of bacteria or other microorganisms that can affect the health of the fish.

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