swim bladder disease

Question
I have an Oscar with swim bladder disease.  He has been floating on top of the tank with a very swollen belly for about 1 and a half months now.  I would like to give him frozen green peas but dont know how to get him to take it.  There is another Oscar, 2 tin foils, 1 pleco and 2 Malawi's also in the tank and I dont have another tank to put him into.  I have tried giving him the pea but he swims away and the other fish grab the pea.  Can you tell me how to get him to take the pea.

Answer
Hello Rene:


If the swim bladder issues are related to constipation then the "pea trick" may work for your fish.  I would personally consider buying(or making)a relatively inexpensive tank divider to allow the Oscar more time to eat before the other fish get to the peas.  If your Oscar still will not eat the cooked peas I have heard that some people have had success with a spirulina/vegetable based food instead.  Unfortunately if this does not help the swim bladder issue could have been caused by bacteria or trauma.  If bacterial in nature you may have to treat with medication.

Hope this was of help,


-Brian.