I think my upside down is pregnant...help!

FishGyrlFriend · Post by **FishGyrlFriend** » 23 Nov 2004, 01:49

So...i looked in my tank today and saw that the largest of my upsidedown catfish has a rather large belly...I think "she" is pregnant! I dont have them in a 55 gallon anymore..i have them in a 20 gallon tank that is cycled (obviously)...But i have no other tanks cycled. What do i do if she has babies? I have a spare 15 gallon tank but like i said its not cycled. Its empty.

How do i care for the lil ones? Would other fish kill the babies? I have a couple albino cory cats and 3 small guppies...So i wouldnt want anything happening to the babies.

Post by **Silurus** » 23 Nov 2004, 02:03

Are you sure your fish isn't just well-fed or (touching wood here) ill?

Maybe a picture would help here.

FishGyrlFriend · Post by **FishGyrlFriend** » 23 Nov 2004, 02:08

Yeah im sure it's neither. They are all healthy in the tank. No diseases or anything like that. The other catfish aren't like that. And she (i'm guessing she) has been floating near the heater more in the past couple days in the corner of the tank..normally they arent out at all during the day till the tank light is off. The tank light isnt that bright because i hate flourescent lights and its easier on the catfish.

What do i do if the upsidedown has babies?

((About the picture thing i dont have a good digital camera to get a picture of it))

Caol_ila · Post by **Caol_ila** » 23 Nov 2004, 02:26

has been floating near the heater more in the past couple days in the corner of the tank..normally they arent out at all during the day till the tank light is off.

Sounds like she is sick...can you provide the water parameters, setup, food? Picture of the tank?

What do i do if she has babies?

You do know that they lay eggs?

FishGyrlFriend · Post by **FishGyrlFriend** » 23 Nov 2004, 02:28

Well if they lay eggs that means that she's getting ready to lay them..since her belly is big..makes sense.

The water is fine, all levels are normal and its 78 degrees in there. Tank has lots of plants and places to hide for them.

FishGyrlFriend · Post by **FishGyrlFriend** » 23 Nov 2004, 02:32

Also, as for fish food i give them frozen bloodworms twice a week, with TetraMin Granuals for Tropical Fish daily.

finster · Post by **finster** » 25 Dec 2004, 19:46

Just wondering what happened with your fish? I have 5 upside down cats and at least 2 of them have big bellies (like they swallowed a gumball!!!) They are not pregnant and have been this way for years. I don't know if it just means they are pigs or what.

troi · Post by **troi** » 29 Dec 2004, 06:04

finster wrote:Just wondering what happened with your fish? I have 5 upside down cats and at least 2 of them have big bellies (like they swallowed a gumball!!!) They are not pregnant and have been this way for years.

MY upsidedowns did the same thing. One or two looked "pregnant" all the time. Never acted sick, never acted like they were in spawning mode, never appeared to drop eggs. Just kept looking like brown ping pong balls with fins. I found it disturbing.

troi