bizarre of all are the upside-down catfishes (Mochokidae) of Africa , which can swim either in the normal position or inverted, with the belly uppermost; in one species, Synodontis batensoda, the coloration of the belly is darker than the back, a reversal of the usual pigmentation pattern.
What is the fish with upside down?
One of the smallest members of the genus Synodontis, the upside-down catfish is aptly named for its upside-down swimming posture, which makes it easier for it to feed more effortlessly on the water’s surface. It is also known as the blotched upside-down catfish because of its spotted appearance.
Why do upside-down catfish swim like that?
One theory accounts for this unusual behavior as a feeding strategy. In the wild, it often grazes on the undersides of submerged branches and logs, and swimming upside-down makes these areas more accessible . A different theory suggests swimming upside-down makes aquatic surface respiration more efficient.
Why is my fish upside down but alive?
Swim bladder disorder is a condition when the swim bladder isn’t working properly due to various possible factors . A swim bladder is a gas-filled internal organ that helps a bony fish maintain its buoyancy. The disorder refers to a collection of issues affecting the swim bladder, rather than a single disease.
Can swim bladder recover fish?
There’s no treatment as such, and if the fish can recover, they will do so given a few hours . Switching the tank lights off for a while often helps, partly by removing one source of stress, but also by encouraging the fish to rest quietly rather than try to swim about.
Why is my fish swimming upside down and sideways?
Positive buoyancy disorder, where the fish floats at the surface or on its side, is the most commonly presented form of swim bladder disease, especially in goldfish. Most likely, the cause is overinflation of the swim bladder .
Are upside-down catfish Scaleless?
Similar to other members of the Mochikidae family, the Upside-Down Catfish too have a scaleless body , a big adipose fin, huge eyes, a forked tail, and three barbel pairs. The females have large in comparison to their male counterparts and appear paler in colour.
Does Epsom salt help swim bladder?
Despite its name, Epsom salt doesn’t contain sodium. Magnesium is a mineral that is important for many systems of the human body — especially the nerves and muscles. It’s also beneficial to aquarium fish suffering from maladies such as dropsy, constipation, and swim bladder disorder .
How big do Burmese upside-down catfish get?
This Rare catfish is small 1 inch in size and can grow to be about 10 inches when fully matured.
What fish can’t swim backwards?
Moving forward: Sharks are the only fish that can’t swim backwards — and if you pull a shark backward by its tail, it will die.
Are upside-down catfish poisonous?
– Are Upside Down Catfish Venomous? No, they aren’t , but they can sting you with their barbs if you pick them up by hand. The pectoral and dorsal spines of the Upside Down Catfish can cause serious injury. Despite their peaceful disposition, these fish will kill their predators when worst comes to worst.
Will swim bladder go away on its own?
Depending on the cause, swim bladder disorders may be temporary or permanent . If your fish has a permanent swim bladder disorder, they can still live a full and happy life with some lifestyle modifications.
Can peas cure swim bladder?
Some possible causes of swim bladder disease is poor water quality and the way food is taken in by the fish. Swim Bladder’s disease should be treated promptly or else it will result in dead fish. Some say that crushed peas do the trick.
Should I euthanize my fish with swim bladder?
Removing and euthanizing infected fish promptly will minimize the chances of healthy fish becoming sick . Fish with poorly developed swim bladders (“belly sliders”) and deformed spines are particularly common among inbred fish, such as some fancy livebearers.
Why is goldfish swimming upside down?
A upside-down swimming is a common problem in goldfish and the cause is a disorder of the swim bladder . This specialised organ enables a fish to modify its buoyancy so it can dive or surface according to its needs. Fat-bodied goldfish are at risk because their swim bladder can become compressed.
Why is my goldfish at the bottom of the tank?
Usually goldfish sit at the bottom of the tank due to not feeling well for some reason. Improper water conditions, parasites, stress, GI problems, and swim bladder problems can all cause a fish to sit at the bottom of the tank.
How do you treat swim bladder in a pond?
The best treatment for swim bladder disease is found in your refrigerator or freezer. Frozen or cooked peas , will blast through the impaction and reduce the pressure on the fish’s swim bladder.
Do fish play dead?
Let’s revisit the example of the fish playing dead. Some species play dead to fool other fish, often targeting scavengers as a food source . The Central American cichlid is a perfect example. In other species, though, this behavior might hint at a health issue.
Why is my goldfish floating but still alive?
Many goldfish eat like ravenous Golden Retrievers, sucking in floating food at the surface. In doing so, they inadvertently suck in extra air, resulting in added volume to their swim bladder. Additional air in the swim bladder results in a positively buoyant fish, aka a floaty fish .
Does a goldfish sleep?
Unlike people, goldfish do not lie down when they sleep . Rather, they become less active, staying in one place and moving slowly to keep themselves stable. They look like they are hovering in the tank or pond, usually low in the water, an inch or so off the bottom, with their heads pointed slightly downward.
Can upside-down catfish live in a 5 gallon tank?
Tank Size. The ideal tank size for Upside Down Catfish should be at least 30 gallons . While some aquarists have not had any problem keeping these fish healthy in tanks as small as 10 gallons, we advise against it.
Is a Corydora a scaleless fish?
Cory Pandas are scaleless fish and so they are extremely sensitive to salt. Corys have hardened pectoral spines that can pierce through human skin so they should not be handled carelessly, also, these spines tend to get entangled in the mesh of a net so when they need to be moved, a plastic container should be used.
Are Plecos Scaleless?
Because they are a scaleless fish , catfish can be treated with pimafix or melafix but should not be treated with potassium permanganate or copper based medications.
Is aquarium salt good for swim bladder?
The substance is also useful for treating fish suffering from Dropsy, swim bladder disease, and constipation. As previously mentioned, aquarium salt is not used to treat these conditions .
What can I use instead of aquarium salt?
Common table salt is suitable; however, it should be non-iodized and contain no additives. Rock Salt or Kosher salt are excellent choices, as they are pure sodium chloride with nothing else added.
Why does my fishes butt float?
SWIMBLADDER BIOLOGY
When the swimbladder bursts, the swimbladder gases escape into the fish’s body cavity, where they can continue to expand . The pressure exerted by these gases is sufficient to push the stomach out the mouth and the intestines out of the anus.
