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What Is Gas Bubble Disease In Fish And How To Prevent It?

The name of the disease seems intriguing. It is somewhat like gas in the bubble that is disturbing the fishes.

Well, let me explain what actually a gas bubble disease is. It is when the fish’s bloodstream gets occupied with gases and is of course, a major discomfort to them.

I was wondering, just like the humans have gastric or digestion issues, is it the same with the fishes? Here, the matter is a little different. The gas bubble disease takes place when the pond or the aquarium becomes supersaturated (meaning more concentrated than normally possible) with excessive gas.

This is not an unusual disease; rather it’s a very common disease that most of the fish owners would certainly know. Different species are attacked (but mostly in squirrel fish and Anthias) and as the name suggests you would see large gas-filled bubbles on the external part of the fish’s body.

It is easily visible and you can recognize it at once with your naked eyes. Thankfully the disease isn’t contagious. However, the condition may become serious if it is attacked by bacteria.

Tips that can help you prevent this disease

  • Whenever you add water in the aquarium, try to start heating it (it should be a slow heating process).
  • It is best not to use a hose at this time. You can start spraying the water from above. This will help in releasing the gases (the harmful ones) into the air.

Start doing this and your fishes will never have any ailments.

What causes the gas bubble disease?

Before I usher you to the causes, there are some important points to be highlighted. Let’s go through these points first.

  • Gas bubbles attack the fins, eyes and the gills of the fishes. At times the bubbles are so big that the small fishes often lose the balance and may float uncontrollably. Just like if we carry something heavier than us, we lose our control!
  • Although the gas bubbles are not a fatal condition, it can damage the eyes and the fins severely.
  • At times the bubbles may form in the internal organs and this is a deadly one.
  • If the bubbles are attacked by the bacteria, you will see pus (red in color) forming on their body. Of course, this will stress them out and they won’t be in good health.
  • Fishes are cold-blooded. What does this mean? This means their body temperature is highly dependent on the temperature of their surroundings (and their surrounding is the water!)

Causes –

  • As I have already mentioned that the main cause behind gas bubble disease is when the water becomes supersaturated with too much of gases. This happens when the there is a sudden rise in the temperature or when there is rise in pressure.
  • When all of a sudden the cold water is heated, it traps all the gases in the water itself and causes the gas bubble disease in fishes.
  • Often the ponds are filled with the well water (with the help of the hose) and this again leads to the disease.

How to treat the bubbly (I created the name!) disease?

  • Never ever pop the bubbles — don’t even think of it. This will be painful for the innocent fishes and may damage their body.
  • Whenever you see a fish with such a disease, simply take the fish out of the tank and place it in another tank that has the correct oxygen saturation level. Gas bubbles when hit the eyes of the fishes can be very stressful. It can almost make them blind. The bubbles are responsible to damage the retina and the lens of the fish’s eyes. There won’t be much of a problem if the fins are damaged (as it will re-grow), but if it is formed in the brain or the heart, they will die.
  • Do not use the tap water directly. You may heat this water first and let it lie for several hours so that it synchronizes with the room temperature.

Did your fish ever experience the gas bubble disease? Did you succeed in curing the disease? Share your views in the comments below. 

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4 thoughts on “What Is Gas Bubble Disease In Fish And How To Prevent It?

  1. Hello, I have a baby betta. She’s about 3 months old. She’s currently in a 2.2 gallon tank with a filter and water heater. I try to keep the water temp around 84 degrees but sometimes the temp drops rapidly and then heats back up, not sure why. I sometimes notice tiny bubbles on her but they’re not there all the time. I’m not sure if it’s gas bubbles or not. Can GBD come and go? Please let me know!

  2. […] talk about treating the gas bubble disease. As the name suggests, bubbles start forming near the eyes, gills and the fins of the fish. Gas […]

  3. […] you got an aquarium and have gained knowledge about the possible diseases your fish might get, the gas bubble disease should not be an unfamiliar subject matter for […]

  4. […] talk about treating the gas bubble disease. As the name suggests, bubbles start forming near the eyes, gills and the fins of the fish. Gas […]

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