Bloated

[jc360]

i have a opaline Gourami about 10 cms. It has a huge bloated stomach which seems to get bigger and bigger. Do i need to b e concerned?

[yeeahboy]

Yes you should be worried. I don't want to give bad advise, but this is called dropsy and there is no cure. I had a tetra who had it he got bigger n bigger for like 2 months then suddenly he pretty much exploded.

google dropsy see what you find.

Pros correct me if i'm wrong.

[Dixon1990]

Just because its bloated doesnt mean it has dropsey,

Its dropsey if its scales are sticking out.

[Caryl]

Fish get bloated for more than just dropsy

If it is just the stomach I would suggest digestive problems.

[jc360]

Thanks for your replies, he is so podgy its rediculous. No scales are sticking out and he is quite calm and 'happy'. he kind of looks like bubble wrap and i want to pop him. But will not.

[Caryl]

See if you can get it to eat some cokked, shelled pea. If not, check to see how to do an Epsom Salts bath.

[yeeahboy]

Oh Ok maybe it isn't dropsy

I hope your fish dont explode like mine

good luck and take these people advise, they are very helfull

[MarkLB]

I agree with Caryl, digestive problems which can hopefully be cured by eating some pea. It helps with constipation.

[Dougstark]

Photo may help. I have a pair of pearl gouramis, the male is quite slim but the female has a fat stomach. It is normal for female to be fatter. Mine are a couple of years old.

[Brookey25]

I would suggest, as a percaution, the next time you do a water change, add a small amount of Aquarium Salt to the tank - 1 Tbsp per 20 litres was the instructions I was given by a very knowledgeable petshop owner.

The salt helps with so many things and a small amount will not hurt your fish, even if he doesn't need it. Just be sure to try and dissolve most of it in a small amount of water first, before adding to the aquarium.

Do you feed your fish Peas? I think they're the absolute best food for your fish! I feed them to my fish once a week to give them a good clean out of their digestive tract, because all those flakes do cause constipation a lot of the time. The best thing to do is vary their diet as much as possible - feed wet (blood worm) and dry foods.

Peas are excellent for digestive problems and swim bladder irregularities. Once a week, I get a couple of frozen peas from the freezer, pour a small amount of boiling water into a bowl with them so they defrost, take off the skins and mash up the insides - then I feed to my fish, which they absolutely love.

Keep in touch.