Gettin' Skinny...

[chibi]

My Chinese Algae Eater has gotten a bit skinny lately. I'm starting to be able to see his bones. Could he be malnourished? Should I start feeding sinking wafers? What else to they like to eat? He is still active, no signs of difference in behavior.

Before I get the talk... my CAE is over 2 years old, 6 inches, perfectly fine with all my fish, never aggressive, never hurt another fish, fine with all my cories including the pygmies. He's fine. I don't need another person telling me he's going to go on a killing spree. He's not. Chillax.

 

[blue acara]

Is it eating well? I have never kept a cae so I'm no expert on what to feed or its looks. I would say yes feed the algae wafers. You can also put spirulina flake in cup of tank water then use turkey baster to get it to bottom of tank near the fish, occasional bloodworm wouldn't hurt either. It is possibly being starved by intestinal flagellates (a protozoa such as Spironucleus or Hexamita) or intestinal worms (tapeworm, nematode, capillaria, oxyuridia).

 

[WILDER]

Boring diet just eating algae wafers.
Feed some frozen food and veg in his diet.

Check his anus to see if its red and inflamed or enlarged.
What does it look like when the goes to the toilet.

 

[chibi]

Boring diet just eating algae wafers.
Feed some frozen food and veg in his diet.

Check his anus to see if its red and inflamed or enlarged.
What does it look like when the goes to the toilet.

It's not inflamed, and his poo is dark green, almost black. What veggies do you think he'd like?

 

[WILDER]

Peas, cucumba, lettuce, sproats, dark green cabbage, spinach, anything green really.