Bloat, or female with eggs??

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Dissy

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 9, 2011
184
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0
Wisconsin
I don't even know if my Dempsey is a male, or female yet, but.. within the last hour, he/she's become rather...rotund. Acting completely normal - dancing in front of the tank, looking for attention and/or food (not necessarily in that order). Tank specs, and pics:

60 gallon
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrates 5.0
PH 8.2

Last water change Thurs nite - 20%, 1/2 sand vacuumed. Last filter maintenance a week ago; replaced carbon, and added water polishing pad.

Purchased around 4 months ago, at about 1". Other tank mates are 3" convict, 3" Firemouth, 2.5" Severum, 3 Spotted Pictus (3"), and 8 Black Widow (tetras). Most recent addition being the tetras just over a week ago.

Diet consists of Hakari Cichlid pellets (medium), Tetra Cichlid Crisps, frozen bloodworms, frozen brine shrimp, Cichlid granules, and for the first time yesterday, peeled peas, and against my will, he steals the alge pellets from the Pictus. :irked:

Generally fed once a day around 6pm; if I'm home all day, then sometimes twice a day. The tank is empty of *all* food within about 30 seconds.

Any idea? I know you've heard this before, but really, it IS my favorite fish...

These are the best pics I could get:

dempseybelly1.jpg

dempseybelly2.jpg

dempseybelly3.jpg
 
The Bass Hole;5022533; said:
looks like bloat to me, may be constipated.
Click to expand...

With so many other tankmates, is it really wise to medicate, or should I just try not feeding at all for a couple days? (The little pig grabbed like 3 peas yesterday, so he/she should have some fiber in there.) :irked:

And IS it a he, or a she?
 
Looks like bloat- I have had success treating with BiFuran if you catch the bloat early.
 
Also I would not call it bloat just yet. I have seen worse bloating that is really evident. This could just be a fat fish, or could possibly be full of eggs. Try to feed less, also feed peas. Also try and feed your pictus cats at night so the JD doesn't steal the food.

If you really want, you can give the fish epsom salt baths. Add 1 table spoon per gallon and let the fish "bathe" for 10-15 mins.
 
Pyramid_Party;5022750; said:
Also I would not call it bloat just yet. I have seen worse bloating that is really evident. This could just be a fat fish, or could possibly be full of eggs. Try to feed less, also feed peas. Also try and feed your pictus cats at night so the JD doesn't steal the food.

If you really want, you can give the fish epsom salt baths. Add 1 table spoon per gallon and let the fish "bathe" for 10-15 mins.
Click to expand...

That's because the bloat doesn't just happen overnight- If this is bloat and he lets it go, it will get worse, and by that point it would be too late.

It will not hurt to treat it now for bloat even if it isn't bloat.

It's better to be safe than sorry.
 
You are right. I don't think it is full blown bloat, but rather overfeeding. And you are right, if the over feeding continues and this fish stays fat then it will become a serious problem. My suggestion would be to change feeding schedules. Feed less, feed different foods, have a day of fasting. Maybe even isolate the fish if possible to help it digest its food. Epsom salt baths would be good too.
 
Pyramid_Party;5022768; said:
You are right. I don't think it is full blown bloat, but rather overfeeding. And you are right, if the over feeding continues and this fish stays fat then it will become a serious problem. My suggestion would be to change feeding schedules. Feed less, feed different foods, have a day of fasting. Maybe even isolate the fish if possible to help it digest its food. Epsom salt baths would be good too.
Click to expand...

It could also be egg impaction. My jag had that... not fun.
 
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