Can fish die from obesity?

[duanes]

One other thing to consider, is energy usage (exercise).
In nature many fish (especially predators) need to work hard to eat, its not as simple as a high quality pellet falling in front of their face.
I have watched JDs in the Cenotes of Mexico miss 9 out 10 strikes trying to eat a molly fry, expending a lot of energy in the process.

And if you compare the size of any tank, to the area a fish gets exercise in, in nature .......

And as neutrino mentioned there are many vegetarian, or semi vegetarian species that in nature contantly graze on fibrous algae and plants to help push food thru their gut, not allowing fat to build up.
Species like Cincilichthys commonly get intestinal blockages in their much longer digestive tracts, from high protein diets often fed in aquaria, because some consider all cichlids carnivorous.

 

[neutrino]

I watch a lot of natural habitat video, some CA cenotes, which can be beautiful, and a lot of it SA rivers, etc. I recommend it if like me you can't go there yourself-- educational what some of these places look like, rocky, sandy, muddy, marshy and weedy vs roots and branches, some of the plants, still water vs. current, blackwater vs. clear, etc. Also, fish that are found together, how they behave with their own and other species, species that swim in groups, size of groups, how they interact with the underwater terrian-- for example, species that come and go in groups while foraging (like Geos, Heros, Mesonauta) vs. some that appear to have more of a lair (some Crenicichla) vs some that have an established territory they stick to and defend (an Aequidens sp. jenaro herrera pair, an Andinoacara stalsbergi female protecting fry).

One thing I don't see in these videos is a lot of fat fish with bulging bellies and overly round figures. Another thing is not much aggression in a group of Geos or Heros or Guianacara when they're not boxed in and they're busy looking for food.

 

[giar]

First fish that suddenly died.. i did some research about fatty liver diseases, but this doesnt looks like one.. however, it carry eggs.. i wonder if fish can actually die from not being able to dispose their eggs?

from this autopsy what can you conclude?

 

[giar]

And this is the 2nd fish that died soon after.. this looks like fatty liver diseases indeed if i guess it correctly

 

[Heather R.]

Can it die from being too fat? And if it does, what kills it? Heart attack or stroke like human beings? Seriously asking ?

hahaha! this is funny.

 

[neutrino]

First fish that suddenly died.. i did some research about fatty liver diseases, but this doesnt looks like one.. however, it carry eggs.. i wonder if fish can actually die from not being able to dispose their eggs?

I won't try and diagnose that fish, but as a general point of knowledge fish can absolutely die from "bound" or impacted eggs. If they're not released or reabsorbed they can fester. It's a known problem with some species and uncommon in others. A fat fish, however, can be more suseceptible. A simple and logical explanation I've read is that fat around the organs can compress ovaries, egg ducts, etc. I suspect blood chemistry changes are another possibility.

Expert Koi keepers are often knowledgeable on the subject of egg impaction or "egg bound" because koi can be susceptible to the problem. Years ago I did a lot of research on the subject as a mod on a Cyphotilapia forum, because Cyphotilapia can have the problem, though 'frontosa keepers' don't typically know much about the causes, etc, which I didn't either before doing research. Some of the best information I found was on koi forums, koi can be susceptible to the condition. And just to complete the thought-- my experience is Epsom salts added to their water and then extra Epsom salts when a female (kapampa gibberos) has developing eggs makes a difference and is FAR more effective than trying to cure a female already getting sick from impacted eggs-- not that I'm recommending it for all fish, Lake Tanganyika is higher than the other African great lakes in magnesium, Epsom salts is magnesium sulfate.