Swordtail Issue

Question
Hi David,
My wife Christina had asked you some questions about our swordtail's odd behavior. We are going to try raising the temp. and using antibiotics. Just wondering what her ailment might be based on a new development in her condition. She seems to be having trouble floating. She has to constantly swim and work her front fins in order to remain anywhere but the bottom of the tank (where she spends the majority of her time now). Any idea what specific ailment this could be?

Answer
Hi Aaron:  It is very hard to determine exactly what her issue is... because there are a few diseases and ailments that can causue her symptoms.  Fish have a "swim bladder" that helps them to maintain boyancey, to rise and sick, turn, etc... it is usually a bladder filled with gas and when that gas gets out of balance or disipates then fish have a hard time keeping themselves right-side-up in the water, etc.  This is one possibility for her issue... another would be that she has toxemia from an improper balance of chemicals in her tank water... high ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, etc...  Your fish is tired... she has been trying to fight to swim and it is exhausting her.  This is a time when you have to cater to her needs and provide her with high quality foods such as live brine shrimp and tubiworms, and a good quality flake food.  The antibiotics are to help if she has an internal parasite issue that would also affect her swim bladder of if she has an intestinal blockage.  THe raised temperature will help her be more active or... give her energy for a bit to help compensate her extra exhertion when trying to swim.  I know that this is a difficult time for both you and your wife and I can tell from your emails that you care for your fish.  One other thing that live bearers need is additional salt in the water... you should add aquarium salt to the tank water as this will help her obtain minerals that she may need to correct her swim bladder issues... if that is what is wrong with her.  What I do know is that the additional salt, the antibiotic and the raised temperature are the three things that we can provide her that is not going to 1) stress her out more, 2) cause more damage then good, and 3) provide the best chances of fixing whatever she has.... please keep me posted... dave