Hi all, I just set up three aquariums, 2 1.5 gal tanks for one male Betta each and a 10 gal with three glofish recently added (on Monday). The bettas have been here 2 weeks and are doing fine (started to build bubble nests). The glofish seem fine as well, they are scurrying about and eating well (rather voraciously, I wonder if they were starved at the pet store).

However, one glofish is swimming at about an 30 degree angle (head above tail) and seems to slightly sink when still (which is not often). This fish swims in a sort of "bouncing" manner. Other than that, the fish seems fine, eats well, good color, and plays chase with the other two. The body of this fish is not as streamlined as one the same size as she is (I am thinking the weird swimmer is a female) but has a shape similar to the largest glofish (straight line from head to stomach and then angling up to the tail), are these two females?

I read about swim bladder disease and am wondering if this fish may suffer from this ailment or can it be nothing or something else?

Thanks, B

I'm glad your fish are doing well and sad that one is not. Unfortunately, the symptom of trouble swimming can mean a number of things. It can be hard to tell which is the problem. Possibilities include swim bladder abnormalities or disease, genetic deformations, lack of certain vitamins, electrical shock, parasites, bacterial infections, poor water quality, and well most anything. I have seen fish that swim as you describe. In my case, some had genetic problems while others had fish tuberculosis (bacteria). Size alone may not sex glofish (which are mutated zebra danios) because a fish may be smaller due to being younger, sick, malnurished, etc. They don't feed fish well at the breeders or store. They may add good food but the tanks are usually way overcrowded with poor water quality. That reduces how much food an individual can get, especially if he's a runt or sick. You may never know why the fish has trouble swimming. I suggest doing frequent partial water changes (I do 50% a week on my tanks) with added dechlorinator, aquarium salt (a tablespoon per 5 gallons), good bacteria, etc. Test the tank's pH, ammonia, and nitrite regularly at first. Feed good food. A course of antibiotics may not be a bad idea especially of the other fish look sick at some point. Good luck!