Melners
Aquarium Advice Newbie
Hi,
I have a small male cherry barb that after he eats, his body around his pectoral fins swells to an unnatural size. it's like he has a huge lump protruding from his side, sometimes both sides. I don't think I overfeed, but I do try to make sure every fish gets a few flakes. I feed once a day or two small feedings and everything always gets eaten. He swims and acts normal, and after a day or so he must poop it all out because he's back to normal size again.
I'm worried that his stomach is going to bust one day. I actually had a female I got at the same time that died a couple weeks after from something internal. She was lethargic and bloated one day, then the next day laying on her side on the gravel super bloated with red streaks and a yellowish tinge on the belly. I don't think it's related but worth mentioning.
Could this just be normal for him? Or a parasite or something that could cause such constipation. I never wait around to see him poop when he's bloated like that. Also, for a male cherry barb, he seems quite pale. I can see his shiny white-ish insides through his scales. Any advice? I have a few pictures where you can see the bloat. I hope I don't have to feed him peas and give him extra care for his entire life...
Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
I have a small male cherry barb that after he eats, his body around his pectoral fins swells to an unnatural size. it's like he has a huge lump protruding from his side, sometimes both sides. I don't think I overfeed, but I do try to make sure every fish gets a few flakes. I feed once a day or two small feedings and everything always gets eaten. He swims and acts normal, and after a day or so he must poop it all out because he's back to normal size again.
I'm worried that his stomach is going to bust one day. I actually had a female I got at the same time that died a couple weeks after from something internal. She was lethargic and bloated one day, then the next day laying on her side on the gravel super bloated with red streaks and a yellowish tinge on the belly. I don't think it's related but worth mentioning.
Could this just be normal for him? Or a parasite or something that could cause such constipation. I never wait around to see him poop when he's bloated like that. Also, for a male cherry barb, he seems quite pale. I can see his shiny white-ish insides through his scales. Any advice? I have a few pictures where you can see the bloat. I hope I don't have to feed him peas and give him extra care for his entire life...
Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet