Preventing bloat?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Well, as long as you don't overfeed, feed quality food, and keep good water conditions then you really shouldn't have any problems. Most fish diseases are caused by poor tank/water conditions, either because water changes are not done regularly enough or the filter/substrate are not cleaned. Granted you don't want a perfectly clean filter because that means you have no beneficial bacteria, but you also don't want excess waste.

By the way, what I mean by poor tank/water conditions causing fish diseases is that fish immune systems get weaker in those conditions and become more susceptible to disease. Most fish and tanks will usually have a variety of harmful bacteria/diseases in them, but as long as the fish are healthy their immune systems are able to fight them. Obviously keeping a good water/tank maintenance schedule cuts down on the proliferation of disease and bad bacteria in the tank, which also makes it less likely the fish get sick.
 
Reduce aggression if possible, thus reducing stress on the fish. Maintain good water quality through scheduled water changes and good filtration. Feed a nutritious diet containing spirulina or vegetable matter. Avoid feeding large dry pellet food unless you soak it first to soften it.
 
The link between feeding dry pellets and bloat is highly debatable. I have not done enough research to state that it is definitely not true, but know of many aquarists that see that link as false. I will say that I have been feeding New Life Spectrum cichlid pellets (obviously appropriately sized) and have not had a single case of bloat. Some say that the air trapped in the pellet and/or the expansion of the pellet in the fishes' stomach can cause bloat, but this is why it is important to feed to proper amount. I will also add that feeding smaller amounts multiple times a day (rather than 2 larger feedings) is better in my experience.
 
I'm using tetra min tropical crisps. Is it good it has. Min crude protein 46.0%
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Sounds like a little too much protein intake to me. Malawi bloat is little understood, but can be linked to stress and improper diet. Too much protein in herbivorous cichlids' diets can lead to intestinal blockage.

NLS cichlid formula... It's much better
 
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