Sunken belly = Internal Parasite/Infestation?

azn_phil · Post by **azn_phil** » 10 Feb 2004, 14:56

All my L052 butterfly plecoes seem to be fine...round bellys...except for one. His belly is pretty flat...he is pretty active amongst the others around evening/night time when i feed them...occasional territorial disputes...but i make sure there is food EVERYWHERE...however...even when i think he is eating...his belly does not seem to get any fatter...(i check every 24hours)...i'm just really really paranoid that it will sink in one day...and then his eyes.....that will be nightmare....can it be internal disease? Anyway I can ensure his well being?

Yann · Post by **Yann** » 10 Feb 2004, 16:16

Hi!

Possibly because he is the submissive fish, any chance for you to fattened up the guy in another tank so he can recover...
Cheers
Yann

azn_phil · Post by **azn_phil** » 10 Feb 2004, 18:16

should i literally overfeed? its only a ten gal, and i have 3 in it...i treat it as a quarentine tank...

Yann · Post by **Yann** » 10 Feb 2004, 18:53

Hi!

Well, it really depends if you have already put medication in it, if yes I would not overfeed as it might put the already fragil biolife of your tank, in jeopardy and worsened the problem...
If you do overfeed you must syphon any leftover of food in the tank, to avoid any problem.
Try also not too feed in just one place. Feed them in 3 different places.
Does each fish has its own place to hide and rest as well?
just my 2 cents

Don't rule out the internal parasite possibility yet, but have you check the feces of your fish to see if there is anything suspect??

Cheers
Yann

azn_phil · Post by **azn_phil** » 11 Feb 2004, 05:19

Feces are not stringy, but separate, brown color. I checked their vents and i see nothing to the naked eye. His belly is just not as big, and im really scared that it'll start hollowing out...i should not put any medication in there, as i don't confirm any disease right? not even put precautionary additives? is there any precautionary additives?

Yeah the fishes hide in their own places...sometimes switching...i clean the tank 10-20% everyday of feces and leftover foods...they are really slow to react to the submerged vegetables...

so yeah, any precautionary additives?

Post by **Barbie** » 11 Feb 2004, 05:25

Yes, as a precautionary additive, add a 25% water change or two to your schedule every week for a bit. It's the very best preventative measure, IMO. Those chemicals are designed to kill bacteria and bugs. How on earth can they be good to give to a healthy animal? The skinny one could just be male! I vote for no meds, personally.

Barbie

Yann · Post by **Yann** » 11 Feb 2004, 20:16

Hi !
I totally agree with Barbie, Why medicate if your fish doesn't show any sign of disease...
by the way what do you feed them?
You are talking about vegetables but do you feed them so animal protein as well??
Cheers
Yann

azn_phil · Post by **azn_phil** » 11 Feb 2004, 22:22

vegetables = lettuce and zuchhini...i don't keep them in the water for any longer than 3 days. I agree as well no medication.
I feed them 20% Sera brand spirulina tablets. They literally reject bloodworms that i give to them, and i dont think they eat the shrimp pellets as well. Any trick as to get their appetites going?

Yann · Post by **Yann** » 12 Feb 2004, 10:06

Hi!

The bloodworms were frozen? what about gammarus, daphnies...
Have you tried live food: live bloodworms or live gammarus...
I have good success with the 20% Spirulina tabs from Sera
Cheers
Yann

azn_phil · Post by **azn_phil** » 12 Feb 2004, 18:11

frozen bloodworms...they don't eat it...i'll try live i guess but its hard to get here...they eat zuchinni but not as fast as other plecos that i have