Bloated Angelfish

[shannonmarie]

Hi,
I am new to this forum and hope that maybe someone can help me. I have had beautiful angelfish for about 15 years. I've never had deaths except what I determined as old age (they were the size of dinner plates at least). The second pair (not sure if they're male or female) I have now is about 6 or 7 years old, I believe, and the smaller of the two has developed a swollen belly in the past 24 hours. I am no expert on these fish at all! I've seemed to keep them happy and healthy and I am now freaked out!!! The are about 8 inches from top to bottom.
I feel awful for and ignorant about this awesome fish!
HELP!!!!
Shannon

 

[shannonmarie]

I just wanted to add that my angelfish has been acting normally since the stomach area inflation was noticed. He/she has no signs of illness and is swimming and eating as usual.
Thanks for any input!
Shannon

 

[Tolak]

If the fish is eliminating normally, it could be eggbound. If the fish is not eliminating normally it is probably constipation, with perhaps an internal protizoan problem. Being the smaller of two older angels, and the fact that it gets along with the other angel gives a good probability of that fish being female. As always, posting a picture would help, as would results of water tests, maintenance procedure, and a detailed list of foods that are fed.

There is also the possibility of a tumor, which can sometimes be associated with internal parasites. These are usually higher, more towards the center of the body, where as constipation or an eggbound female is much lower.

If the fish is eating and acting normally it probably is not an internal protizoan, if the fish is not eliminating, or eliminates infrequently it is probably constipation. If this is the case, set up a quar tank, with a good heater, bring the temperature up to at least the upper 80'sF. Start with 1 teaspoon epsom salt per 10 gallons, increase by a teaspoon daily for a few days to 3 teaspoons per 10 gallons. This will clean out the digestive tract, as will fasting for a few days, then feeding lightly with fresh or frozen adult brine shrimp.

If you suspect that the angel is eggbound, which would be indicated with normal feces, the same procedure would apply. Sometimes the epsom itself will release the eggs. Do not feed the fish for a few days, then lightly if the eggs are released. If the eggs are not released, you will need to fast the fish for 4 weeks, in the hopes that the eggs will be reabsorbed by the near starvation of the fish.

If the swelling is higher up, and you suspect a tumor, there is a method of medicating using clout that I used on an angel some time ago, but very similar to tumors on mammals, these things have a way or reappearing. There is also needle aspiration for tumors, thought this is usually used on much larger, more expensive fish, and requires more than a bit of knowledge about fish anatomy.