Fat Danio's?

[PanthyWanthy]

I was talking about my Long tailed Danio's on another thread saying she had a big belly and someone said that they can get quite plump after feeding...

I've been keeping an eye on her lately and she seems to be getting fatter and fatter She is so fat she looks like she is gonna burst and has got little red spots on her tummy... She looks like she is pregnant but I cant see how, since i've had her for over a month now and havent got any other Danio's in the tank for her to breed with

She tends to spend alot of the time sitting at the bottom of the tank resting, but does swim around from time to time aswell...

Any idea's what's wrong with her? or are females just fat in general?

 

[Waterloo Kid]

First you must realise that Danios are egg layers. They do not get pregnant. When a female is in breeding condition she will swell as she fills with eggs. My females can get to be twice the width of the males in this state! They can look rather odd.

I'm a bit worried about the fact that your fish spends time on the bottom and that it is on its own. Danios are renownd for being one of those fish that just can't stay still. They are extremely active fish so any danio that spends a significant amount of time sitting on the bottom is showing signs of a problem. I can't say that I know what the red spots are. Are the scales sticking out at all? It could be a sign of Dropsy (which also could be indicated by the swollen abdomen). It could also be some desease brought on by the stress of being on its own. Danios are shoaling fish and so should be kept in a group of at least six. Without company the danio will feel insecure, get stressed and will be more prone to infection.

I haven't gone into the water parameters as I assume that you have checked these and they are OK.

It's really important that you give fish everything they need to avoid stress; from good water conditions and a varied diet to a suitable number of same species fish as company (be that lots or none!).

Hope that helps!

WK

 

[PanthyWanthy]

well i have just got back from shopping and my Danio has died

It looks like she exploded as she has no insides at all

I cant see any eggs either.. is this what happens when they get dropsy?

 

[Waterloo Kid]

One of my rainbow fish died recently though suspected Dropsy. It just bloated up and died. I don't know what would cause a fish to explode but you could be looking at one of many causes, namely Dropsy, constipation or a different internal bacteria or parasite.

Best keep a sharp lookout for symptoms in your other fish.

Tough luck.

WK

 

[juliethegr8t]

Just wanted to say I'm sorry for your loss !! That's tough luck, and I really can't help you out since I don't know what would cause a fish to "explode" like that. Did she have any other symptoms of dropsy? That might be worth looking into. Anyways, once again - so sorry for your loss .

 

[smb]

I am so sorry to hear about your loss.

Keep an eye on the rest of your fish. If they start to show swelling treat them for an internal parasite.

 

[PanthyWanthy]

Thanx for your kind words... I will be keeping a very close eye on all my other fishies... As to showing any other symptoms of dropsy I'm not sure, could someone tell me what the symptoms are of dropsy please..

I have also had 4 guppies die in the last week aswell.. but didnt show any signs of being unwell.. just dropped dead, I put it down to being a bad batch from lfs, as I'd just bought them.

 

[smb]

Hi PanthyWanthy.

The problem is that there is no clearcut answer, so what I'll do is give you a couple links to read up on and form your own choice. Remember this is the internet and I don't believe half what I read on a site unless it's a site like this that is a help forum, but it might help you and others out by reading this. If you want more links for this or anything else or our opinions on anything at all, please ask. I'm not giving the links because I'm trying to pass the buck, so please feel free to ask us if you need more info.



Dropsy 1

Dropsy 2

Dropsy 3

 

[smb]

I have also had 4 guppies die in the last week aswell.. but didnt show any signs of being unwell.. just dropped dead, I put it down to being a bad batch from lfs, as I'd just bought them

It could be but I always get suspicious if I hear so many fish die in such a short timeframe.

Have you checked your water parameters for ammonia and nitrite? How often do you you clean your gravel and change your water and what percentage do you change?

 

[PanthyWanthy]

Thanks smb for the links.. It does sound like dropsy but the only thing different is the scales.. they did not stick out.. My danio was in perfect condition apart from being very fat and bloated looking

regarding the guppies deaths.. I have not tested the water yet as I need to get a water tester when I next go down town.

The 4 Guppies all died the same, a day before there departure.. They would hide in the top corners of the tank or at the bottom and it was like they never had enough energy to hold there tails up as they would be drooping down most of the time