A friend of mine just bought these funny little dissolving tank pellets for her betta's fin rot, and read on the back of the package that they can also be used for swim bladder disease. My telescope is wobbling ever so sadly (despite my effort with peas! and clean water!) but I was hesitant to use these without having some sort of idea if anyone else had used them successfully. I believe it's one tablet per 10 gallons.

Anyone heard of them, and/or used them? I can ask her for the brand name but I don't recall it off the top of my head.

Well, the usual reason for fin rot is a bacterial infection. So my assumption is that the meds your friend purchased as some kind of antibiotic. Swim bladder is a symptom that can present itself for NUMEROUS reasons, some of which may involve bacterial infections.

It's always best to rule other reasons out first, such as diet, eggs, water parameters, etc. before resorting to meds.

Some newbies may take you wrong - although the classic "fin rot" is bacterial - the general term is used duie to the general deterioration on the tail - outward to inward - - very poor water conditions - alone - can genmerate unhealthy tissue - that - thru examination - shows relatively low bacterial levels - later comming in as a secondary opportunistic infection. Newbies may believe immediately thattheir fin rot problem is bacterial - and treaty accordingly - without evaluating how general the term is often used.

Nenn is correct "Well, the usual reason for fin rot is a bacterial infection. So my assumption is that the meds your friend purchased as some kind of antibiotic. Swim bladder is a symptom that can present itself for NUMEROUS reasons, some of which may involve bacterial infections"

If fact recent studies have added some new twists to the concept of "upsin-downs disease" (referring to the home in "Mame").
Some examples ;

1. Research has shown that body configuration, physically, due to unusual breeding, constricts the bladder and does not allow it to operate properly.

2. The unuusual body type, combined with the general use of rather shallow tanks, exaserbates the problem. Like a submarine - fish have natural pressure regulators that give then that jaw dropping ability to maintain perfect position in the watrer... However. the bladder depends on the physical pressure changes encountered when gpoing deeper or to the surface. Researchers maintain that many new breeds systems cannot differentiate the subtle pressure differential encountered in a ratjher shallow tank - - so the body's natural valve system does not respond as it is supposed to .

3. impaction of food particles in the digestive system harbours bacteria which can migrate into the bladder assembly and cause inflamation and infection.

these are just a few concepts thriown around -

In my case - of my population - I have 8 Calcios of various sizes - 7 years ago my first couple - within the year - would develop this exasberating problem.

I believe - by changing a few operatives - it has greatly reduce my risk to the problem.
1. I am convinced water temperature is one facet. At 75 degrees the problem was quite pronounced. maintaining the temperature at 77 or above - I feel - has been a great relief -
2. I no longer feed pellets nor feed on the surface. I prepare food - for all 8 tanks - every morning for the days supply - I gring it and mix it with assorted products like daphnia and cooked crushed peas - garlic oil and water soluble vitiman supplements - just as examples - they are fed under the syrfave of the water. As well; the wet/ dry return line is poised just above the surface - constantly aggitating the surface and maintaining a relatively free water surface from proteins. a buildup with tend to draw the fish to the surface - sucking the little tasty treats up - unfortunately many time s includionmg air - as happens with saurface feeding - another claimed causal factor....

Ok - you get the ideas of some ideas - I truly believe some of the items I mentioned - removingthose issues - has removed the problem for my awuapups...