Feeding fish until they bulge- hurting or helping?

[Pyramid_Party]

Its nice to see the fish have a little belly. To me, this is a healthy fish. But I believe that if the fish is bulging and you keep feeding it like this its not good. I mean think about it, is it healthy for humans to be like this?

Big bellies on fish is bad for their health in my opinion. They can develop all kinds of health problems this way.

 

[dingoofus]

Its nice to see the fish have a little belly. To me, this is a healthy fish. But I believe that if the fish is bulging and you keep feeding it like this its not good. I mean think about it, is it healthy for humans to be like this?

Big bellies on fish is bad for their health in my opinion. They can develop all kinds of health problems this way.

I don't think fish should be judged in the same light as humans, we have different adaptions, different organs, and different nutritional requirements.

 

[tcarswell]

I don't think fish should be judged in the same light as humans, we have different adaptions, different organs, and different nutritional requirements.

And the fight is Onnnnn

 

[Pyramid_Party]

I know, and given that, they should be taken care of better cause they dont have the powerful digestive systems we have. Look at dogs and cats, they get bad health when people throw them "human food".

 

[Juxtaroberto]

I remember when I used to feed my Pacu until she was all round and potbellied, and I could see her moving around lethargically and taking much bigger, deeper "breaths", which is pretty much what people who overeat do, right? That can't be good.

Fish do "bulge" eat every now and then in the wild, but it could be weeks before they get such huge meals. How do I know? If there was enough food for fish to bulge themselves every day there would be catastrophic overshoots and diebacks in their populations (availability of food would cause their populations to explode, but then other limiting factors would push them back down). However, their populations are for the most part stable, meaning their is an equilibrium between predator and prey. Predators stuffing themselves until they look like bowling balls is usually not considered equilibrium.

I think that while nutritionally complete meals are important, it's not necessary to stuff our fish like turkeys with these foods. A slight concave portrusion in their sides is enough for me to stop feeding.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

The statement I am making, is that any obese animal, human or otherwise, is not healthy. Obesity causes the same health problems for all.

 

[dingoofus]

I know, and given that, they should be taken care of better cause they dont have the powerful digestive systems we have. Look at dogs and cats, they get bad health when people throw them "human food".

Lol, how many people do you know who feed fish skittles and candy?

 

[tcarswell]

The statement I am making, is that any obese animal, human or otherwise, is not healthy. Obesity causes the same health problems for all.

I agree well said. Unless its my bichir.. He has the right to be fat

 

[Wet Whiskers]

I feed until everyone gets to eat. Unfortunately, it means that I have a couple catfish that resemble beached whales more than catfish by the time everyone gets their share. Fortunately, I think that their bodies are designed for that. Discus on the other hand are a whole different ball game. Over feed discus and you risk blockage and possible death. Everyone knows overfeeding anything can cause obesity. However, its really important to note organs grow at different rates as the cells in each organ reproduce at slower or faster rates. So, if the fish is growing abnormally fast, they can outgrow a certain organ (particularly kidneys and hearts). However, in my tanks, I have to feed heavily or growth won't be a concern as there is no such thing as a hungry catfish- just missing tankmates.

 

[dingoofus]

The statement I am making, is that any obese animal, human or otherwise, is not healthy. Obesity causes the same health problems for all.

Yeh but feeding it to the point of seeing a pot belly doesn't necessarily make it fat, the pot gut is only temporary until it can digest the food, from there it gets converted to energy etc.