Constipated Angel Fish, Please Help

[Ebbo]

Hi,

I have a 1 year old scalare angel who has had what looks like an inflated bloodworm hanging from his anus for the past week.

To begin with I thought it was an internal organ poking out as it's a lot bigger than their usual waste, but the fish has had it there now for several days and it's beginning to go white with mould.

The fish was trying to get rid of it as it seemed he couldn't push it any further, however he's now given up hope and puts up with it - it doesn't seem to be giving him any pain but obviously I'm extremely worried as it's serioulsy abnormal.

Has anyone had any experience with this kind of thing before?

I'll try and get some pictures up so you can see what I mean.

Many thanks,
Paul

 

[chesterscot]

not sure what the problem is but for contipation i feed mushed up peas give it a try if you havnt already
hope this helps
regfards scot

 

[Tolak]

Sounds like it could be callamanus or another internal worm rather than constipation, a pic would definitely help.

 

[WILDER]

I agree with tolak sounds like camallanous worms.
Take a look here.
http/www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/health/nematodes.shtml

 

[Ebbo]

Thanks for your help so far,

tried feeding blanched & shelled peas, they wouldn't touch them at all!

I've had a look at the camallanus worms and it's definately not that - it's definately a stuck poo.

My friend feeds his puffers & chichlids the same bloodworm and has the same problem with one of his keyholes.

I will put a pic up this evening so you can see.

Regards,
Paul

 

[Davo86]

apart from bloodworm what else do you normally feed?
Bloodworm should never be fed alone or as the main part of their diet as it is too high in protein and can eventually cause bloating and other internal problems

 

[Ebbo]

I feed Tetramin crisps on a daily basis, along with bloodworm once a week, with corgette for the bristlenoses which the angels will occassionally nibble on. Then brine shrimp once a month or whenever I can be bothered to farm some more.

I've been keeping angels for years now and have never come across this problems before.

My friend's keyhole chichlid's has fallen off now - so I am hoping the same will happen with my angel.

I've still to get a good picture of it, hopefuly will have time to post it up this evening.

Kind regards,
Paul

 

[WILDER]

I would feed the brimestrimp twice a week.
Cut down on bloodworms no more than twice a week.
More frozen foods like daphnia which is good at digesting a fish food and some veg in there diet like peas.

 

[Ebbo]

Thanks Wilder,

How would you recommend feeding the peas?

As I blanched some for 10 minutes, let them cool and shelled them, then just cut them up a bit (to about the size of a lentil) - however the fish weren't touching it at all.

Should I mush them up? Would this make them more interested?

Regards,
Paul

 

[WILDER]

Fish sometimes don't eat peas when you first introduce them into there diet.
Cook frozen peas for a few minutes, let cool down and pop out of shell. mush into small pieces and add to the tank.

 

[Ebbo]

Hi,

It's still there unfortunately, it did get a little thinner and looked as though it was finally about to drop, but somehow it's reverted back to it's original state (below).

Managed to get some pictures uploaded, hopefuly somone will be able to identfy the issue...

Thanks,
Paul

 

[WILDER]

The fish might not make it. But I would still worm all your fish for internal parasites.

 

[Ebbo]

Do you really think that is necessary?

It has become a lot thinner today so I am still hopefull - especially seeing as my friend's fish had the same issue and survived without a problem.

His stomach is not swollen at all, and he is eating.

 

[WILDER]

I worm my fish anyway.
Best to worm all new fish as worms do alot of damage to the internal organs.
Something not right, what do you think is hanging out of its anus

 

[Ebbo]

It's odd isn't it - in all my years of fishkeeping I've never seen such a thing.

At first I was extremely worried that it was part of the fish's gut hanging out, but I removed that thought after he was still alive for a week.

He's still going strong, the wierd thing is still there.