What to do If a fish starts to swim on its side

[ashm5]

I found this website: [Only Registered Users Can See Links.] which is advertising a book (some of you may want to get it actually looks very good) I think I know most of it or what I have to know from it but there was one thing it says it talks about which I wanted to know.... What to do If a fish starts to swim on its side.... my fish was doing that yesterday and now it's dead, so if anyone knows then please tell me, it doesn't seem worth buying the book just to find out this one piece of info so could somebody please tell me for future reference as it has happened a few times now, usually on the fishes first day.
EDIT: and also just on the topic of the book I don't know which fish he's talking about in the book because the picture on the front is of a saltwater aquarium and he opens by talking about keeping clown loaches (which I tried once and failed) and half way down he starts talking about discus to, if anyone could find out that would hlp also :S

[zackish]

I would say never buy books, you can find all the information online. I have never experienced any diseases in my fish but on the left side of this page there is an article section with fish diseases. You could also go in good and type in "Fish diseases" or something to that effect. I don't recall the names right now but I know there is several good sites that you put in the symptoms and such and it gives you results.

[ashm5]

It's not a disease I don't think and I know I haven't personally ever bought books i find all the information on here lol thats the reason for the post

[MeganL3985]

Swimming on its side could be almost anything, could be any type of disease or infection that effects the swim bladder...which causes problems with equilibrium (balance). Were there any other symptoms of the skin or behavior?

**Just my personal opinion, but I value books just as much as the internet. Sometimes its nice to read something specific and not have to search around for the same types of answers on various e-pages.

[RobbieG]

What to do if a fish starts to swim on its side

Part 1 - Check your parameters

Part 2 - 50% Water Change
:ezpi_wink1:

[zackish]

Swimming on its side could be almost anything, could be any type of disease or infection that effects the swim bladder...which causes problems with equilibrium (balance). Were there any other symptoms of the skin or behavior?

**Just my personal opinion, but I value books just as much as the internet. Sometimes its nice to read something specific and not have to search around for the same types of answers on various e-pages.
I agree with you because there are some really nice books out there. I was at barnes and noble this week and I was going to pick up a really nice book on marine inverts but then again I can look up any coral or anything online about corals and such so the way I see it I saved myself $20.

And if it was swim bladder you might want to think of taking them out of the water for a little while or putting some oxegen in the water. I know if it was swim bladder lady hobbs may be able to better help you because she had an interesting story with one of her angels and swim bladder.

[ashm5]

no there wasn't anything else it was the first day I had it and it was fine in the shop and when I got it home but a few hours after I put it into the tank it started swimming on its side and floating, it's happened a few times always the same way it's like NTS but with fish instead :S and it isn't my tank because all the other fish I got are fine
EDIT: sorry I was writing this whilst you were writing the last 2 posts will try that next time (the 505 water change) but as I said the other fish survived so I don't think it was the water.

[RobbieG]

Usually that means that the fish didn't get fully acclimated to your water.

You may want to try stretching the process you use out a little bit longer.

[ashm5]

Will do in future but I bought three yellow labs and they were all in the same bag and only one died :S perhaps that one just was a bit weaker thanks anyway! :D

[RobbieG]

Usually the weakest one or two fish are the ones that show signs of a problem. In a lot of cases that will be all that you see - but in many more cases the fish will show no obvious signs of stress for a week or so - then develop Ich - fin rot - bloat - etc.

Keep a sharp eye on the posts - you will see hundreds of posts where someone gets a new batch of fish - one seems funny - it passes on - but all the oters are fine - a week later the person has an Ick problem or a finrot problem.

Doing the little things right is the most important part of this hobby - Cycle your tank - keep appropriate stocking levels - acclimate your fish - change your tank water like you have to drink it. Do those and you will almost never lose fish.

[Nick_Pavlovski]

I would say never buy books, you can find all the information online.

As a librarian, I beg to differ.

But only on that point! :28:

[Lady Hobbs]

Swim bladder can also come from too large of water changes and too much aeration in the tank.

[Dave66]

As a librarian, I beg to differ.

But only on that point! :28:

I concur with the Aussie. Books to be published at all are far more reliable than the 'net, where anyone can post anything they care to, whether correct or not.

Dave

[ashm5]

Ok thanks everyone, took all the advice :D

[RobbieG]

I agree with the others that books can have value - but I wouldn't buy the book offered by that site for 50 cents - the same guy/company looks to have a similar book for discus that pops up in pretty much every discus search and makes all kinds of the same extravagant promises. In my experience - nothing that promises that much ever delivers any value at all.

[Lady Hobbs]

I think it should be based on whether the book is by a good author and a person who knows his beans. If the author is "Lady Hobbs".....forget it. If written by Tom Barr then buy it.