cat fish ready to blow!! please help

skynoverya550 · 06-26-2010, 03:21 AM

what is wrong with my cat fish, ive had him for over 2 yrs and in the last month this has happened!

he is the only non cichlid fish in my tank, dont know if that helps. he looks disgusting and his stomach is HUGE!

any suggestions? or anyone seen this before?

thank you in advance

Judge · 06-26-2010, 02:38 PM

Whoa..that is a big belly. Could be some kind of swim bladder issue. I would first withhold food for 48 hours and see if he might just be constipated...it happens. If this does not show any relief, I have heard of folks using epsom salts in the water 1/2 tsp per 10 gallons of water....do not know if this works though. I am always skittish when it comes to putting anything in the water.
I do not think it is anything fatal though, so I would not feed for a couple of days. keep us posted.

ZeroSystem · 06-27-2010, 02:29 AM

Wow. That doesn't look good. I've seen something similar to this only it was a rapheal catfish, not a feather fin. Not sure what caused it or if it ever got better. It could be bloat or something along those lines. What kind of food are you feeding your fish? Do you ever offer any veggies or anything like that to it? Is it still eating!? I couldn't imagine it being hungry with a belly that big but ya never know!

skynoverya550 · 06-29-2010, 08:43 PM

well i went in last night to feed them and he was a floater! and back to his normal size. i wonder if he exploded?? he lived about 3 months all bloated like that.

Judge · 06-30-2010, 06:21 PM

Oh no, I am so sorry!!I have no clue what could have happened other than he was constipated. I hope all else are fine.