constipated African leaf fish

[rainbow lady]

I'm sure that my fish, Spot, is very constipated. I've dealt with a lot of cases of swim bladder disease and dropsy in the past, and I know this is not either of these.

I've had Spot for several months now, and he was really little when I got him. I immediately put live food in the tank for him, but he wasn't interested. He has only eaten flake food. From what I've read, he needs the protein from the gut of the live food in order to have healthy digestion, since he is a carnivore.

When I say he is bloated, I'm not exaggerating. He actually looks like a puffer fish now!

How can I help him???

 

[kno4te]

Epsom salt 1-3 tsp for every 5 gallons should help.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[rainbow lady]

Thank you for replying.

Any ideas about how to get him to eat something other than flake food? I have other fish that don't eat live food?

 

[Mlsantos]

I would also consider it could be parasite so I would treat with prazipro


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[predatorkeeper87]

I would also consider it could be parasite so I would treat with prazipro


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

Epsom salt 1-3 tsp for every 5 gallons should help.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

+1 to both suggestions. Get epsom salts in the water, as they can have a laxative effect, as well as prazipro because also as suggested it could be a parasite as well. Soak the flakes in an epsom salt bath too before feeding.