Swim Bladder issues

[solitude127]

I've read that Lineatus wrasse's can have swim bladder issues if not collected correctly. I just purchased a Lineatus and he's been swimming fine. How long that before I know for sure that my wrasse doesn't have any issues with it's swim bladder?

 

[goodtimes2]

Hi Mike

I purchased a Lineatus about 3 months ago that developed a swimming bladde disorder. It developed about 2 or 3 weeks after I had him. It was eating great and over maybe a 2 to 4 day period it showed upgreat . Based on my search, if it happens , the feedback of any success stories was none. The 2 treatment options I found were 1) treat with anti biotics both positive and negative gram treatments and / or 2 ) On Reef builders site, they showed how you can highlight the swim bladder and pierce it with a hypo dermic needle to remove the air. I actually tried both over a 2 week period, first the the medication and then needle. It survived the procedure but showed no signs off recovery , I lost the fish about a week after the procedure. I was also force feeding it at the end with a soft syringe , but had no success. Hopefully you will not have this experience. good luck

 

[solitude127]

I wonder how long the wholesaler had it before you got it?

So you think if the wrasse makes it past a month, he should be in the clear?

 

[goodtimes2]

My guess is that they are at the wholeseller no longer than a week and I picked my fish directly from the wholeseller. I really do not have any guess as to how often it occurs or how many weeks after they are caught it could occur. Someone suggested on another post , that the fish could obtain a bacterial infection when some of them are caught and it is tough to say when you may see the effects .

 

[solitude127]

I guess I just wait and hope. Wish me luck

 

[pacislandaqua]

swim bladder issues are apparent almost immediately. what you are seeing 2-4 weeks later are internal infections of some sort... Swim bladder problems occur while you are surfacing the fish, so they are evident when they get to the surface.

 

[solitude127]

Thanks for the insight. Is there any way to tell if the fish has an infection when purchasing? Also is there a way to prevent the infection?

 

[29reef]

Signs to look for are a dull looking slime coat, fish swimming with head below the tail, the fish isn't eating & shows no interest in foods, fish rests on the bottom of the tank frequently.

The only way to prevent infection and be sure you get a good fish is to buy quality livestock from suppliers that buy certified fish. The collection practices have a major impact on the fish. The longer a diver takes to decompress the fish the less time he has for catching fish that day, and the more expensive the quality fish will be in the end.