Ornamental Fish Q&A 04

This question was provided by Manson Publishing as part of the OVAL Project. See more Ornamental Fish Q&A.

The top radiograph is of a goldfish that was found swimming upside down at the surface.

Question	Answer		Article
What is abnormal about this film?	The caudal sac of the swim bladder is ventral to the anterior sac. A radiographic image of a normal goldfish swim bladder is shown below the first radiograph. This fish died and at necropsy a swim-bladder torsion was diagnosed.		Link to Article
Is there any treatment for this condition?	Buoyancy disorders are very common in goldfish, especially those Asian varieties which have short, stout bodies. Some workers believe that because of these selected abnormal body conformations, the swim bladders tend to be unbalanced in these fish. Torsion of the swim bladder is not a common finding and supportive care in the form of clean water and good food is in order. Surgical correction would be an option, but such a procedure would be both risky and expensive. Aspiration of air from the caudal compartment might temporarily correct the problem.		Link to Article