My Guppy Blew Up!

[haleystropicalfish]

One of my young female guppies died. When I pulled her out of the tank, her belly was split down the middle and poo was hanging out. It also looked like she had more coiled up inside of her. Did she just get constipated or what?

 

[paul_219]

Maybe swim bladder. Not 100% sure.

 

[theotheragentm]

I've never seen a fish blow up. Did you actually see her burst? Fish are opportunistic and may have tried to eat her after she died. It's not likely that she burst. I've never seen it myself, but I'd be curious to see.

 

[modaz]

I've never seen a fish blow up. Did you actually see her burst? Fish are opportunistic and may have tried to eat her after she died. It's not likely that she burst. I've never seen it myself, but I'd be curious to see.

yep i never known of it but i suppose it is possible for what reason i wouldnt know though

 

[theotheragentm]

Think about the pressure that would be necessary to bring that about though? If you were to squeeze a fish's body, you would not see it explode until you applied quite a bit of force. I don't think that much force can be contained inside the body of a fish.

 

[scorphonic]

This was reported in a post maybe a month ago so it seems to be possible.

 

[theotheragentm]

The problem is that no one seems to have seen the bursting. They just find a fish that is split open and no fish currently eating it, so the assumption is that fish have not been eating it the whole time. I still remain skeptical but curious.

 

[haleystropicalfish]

It didn't look like it had been eaten, it actually looked ripped. And sadly enough, fish have died befor in that tank and the other's ever pay any attention to it. No, I didn't see her explode, in fact, I know she didn't tecnically "explode" but something must have happened to get such a clean split down her belly I should have gotton a picture...

 

[*Fishkies*]

Yes it is possible for a fish to "explode". Had it happen to a freind of mines. The fish was fed way to much and before I saw it and could help it, his stomach "blew". It was not pretty.

Could have been constipation, something blocking the "out" area of her is also possible.
Sorry to hear of your loss

 

[haleystropicalfish]

Well, I lost allot of fish latley to high ammonia levels, and I'm not used to feeding 8 fish. I could be overfeeding them. I'll be more careful.
Thanks for your help and support, but after loosing so many fish, 1 doesn't hurt me all that bad. Though it should, I feel horrible...

 

[Lynda B]

Did you know that decaying food adds to your high ammonia count? You're much better off underfeeding than overfeeding. Golden rule.... a fish's stomach is the size of its eye. Feed accordingly.

 

[theotheragentm]

Yup. How many times have you seen a skinny fish that wasn't dying? Fish can go quite a few days without eating. When people have algae problems and do blackouts, they do them for 4-5 days at a time with no light and no feeding. Starvation is really not a concern with the fish for this period of time. I would cut back on feedings. Your fish will be fine.

 

[severum boy]

I think its impossible for a fish to explode from constipation. How many other animals have you heard of exploding from constipation? The pressure needed to rupture the abdomen would have been huge, and no blockage could have withstood it, especially when it is in a hole that is designed to strech. Most likely cause, a fish has been eating the stomach area.

 

[mommyof2bettas]

Dropsy??
My male gup, Tux, who recently died, had dropsy.
He got pretty bloated.. not a lot, but after a couple of days, he got a split down the middle of his stomach. It was bright red, looked like someone cut his stomach or something. I'm pretty sure it was because his 'skin' was stretching to much (since he was bloated) and it got ripped...