Bloat in Plecos?

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alfon76

Gambusia
MFK Member
Mar 31, 2005
139
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Hi guys:

Posting here as I am not sure if something specific can cause bloat in plecos or something like it. I recently acquired a nice group or larger L-095 and they all seemed ok, that is until today. I have been offering Cucumber, Zucchini, Color bits, bloodworms, brine shrimp and spirulina pellets. I did a 40% water change to their tank yeasterday because it was quite dirty from some of the other pelcos dirty eating habits.
Well, today I noticed some of the L-095's look really distended in the abdomen area. Not only their belly per se is convex but also their sides. they are swimming ok and appear to be breathing ok (they all breathe fast) but look too bloated to me.
Maybe 2 out of the 9 do not appear bloated so I am not sure if they could be females carrying eggs? The rest of the Plecos in the tank are doing ok and none appear to be showing the same signs or distention.

I added some salt and Metronidazole to the water in case this is bacterial in origin but was wondering if anone has seen this in their plecos.

Thanks,
Ivan
 
Pictures will help quite a bit in this case. How big are they? I would not use meds with plecs. IF you do, only 1/2 dose or less, as it can affect them at much lower levels, as it can accumulate in woods, and algaes. Post up a picture and we can go from there.
 
i agree pics needed...
bloat can simply be over eating hense the fast breathing but can also be a sign of other probems also check the other for sunken belly..
 
No sunken belly on the others at all. Either normal belly of rather large belly. I will post pics if I can get one out of the tank.

I certainly hope it is just overeating and thus rapide breathing and fat belly but I find it odd that it was only on the Pellegrinis.

Ivan
 
It honestly does not appear to be a side effect of overconsumption of food-said bellies look, if anything, just about right. Genibarbi, are, however, rather consumate scavengers with, if anything,somewhat of an herbivorous slant, obvious from the dentition. I would keep thme on a strict vegetable diet for a few days and see if the bloating passes.
 
Looks a little fat, but not bloated. Maybe a slight bit of overeating, but nothing bad IMO.
 
Thanks for the comments and opinions. If they are just eating a lot then I am happy and I will make sure to only offer the veggie portion of the diet for the next week.

Ivan
 
How much have you been feeding. Either way, it is not healthy for your plecs to stay that fat all the time (or really any prolonged period), obesity occurs in fish too....
 
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